The holidays are right around the corner and I can't wait! Living in Manhattan is truly wonderful this time of year. On chilly evenings I love walking past the fragrant evergreens for sale, lined up waiting to be taken home. Watching people ice skate at Rockefeller Center, then admiring the elaborate windows on 5th Avenue really makes it feel like Christmas.

I have started wrapping gifts in colorful paper with big bows [half the fun of gift giving] Soon I will try to fit them in my luggage and head home. I look forward to opening gifts in pajamas Christmas morning [who doesn't], however; what I really can't wait for is being with my family, especially my mom!

I know you are not suppose to pick favorites but I can't wait to see her. My mom is gifted in many ways, her greatest being the joy she brings to everyone who knows her. Her kindness and love are effortless. When we see each other we have the best time.

We share many things in common - our taste in books and movies [that we cry at together] enjoying cooking [and eating] , love of art and music, our outlook on life,and the list goes on. Both of us being born in January, we also share GORGEOUS garnet as our birthstone. Lucky us.

Last year I surprised my mom with garnet earrings I made for her birthday. I hand picked two beautifully faceted teardrop stones. They were deep red with fantastic luster. Setting them in 18k gold showcased them perfectly. She wears them everyday, but enjoys them for "fancy" occassions as well.

One of garnet's traits is it's versatility. The "regal" red color of the gem works well when "dressing to impress", while the flattering color of red makes garnets an easy everyday choice. We need to get over our fear of red! Red is an incredibly complimentary color for all skin types. Blond, brunettes, and red-heads alike can AND should wear red. [read Julie's blog, one of our favorite red-heads].

Jewelry is usually a small accent piece, so garnets are a great way to introduce a touch of red into a wardrobe. If red really isn't your thing, this amazing stone comes in a virtual rainbow of choices. The term garnet refers to a group of more than ten different gemstones. I've included descriptions of a few to show their wide range in color.

	"Pyrope" is the most common and familair with it's deep red color. It's name is derived from the Latin word pyropos, meaning "fiery".
	"Grossular" comes in shades of grassy greens and cinnamon browns.
	"Andrite" can be found in a range of dark greens, browns and blacks.
	"Spessartine" discovered in Madagascar has a beautiful yellow-orange color called "mandarin garnet", my personal fave.
	"Demantoid" is a garnet for real afficiandos. It is a very bright green who's brilliance is greater than that of diamonds! Found in the Ural Mountains of Russia, it became the legendary jeweler - Carl Faberge's favorite gem to work with.

The Victorians adored garnets. Their unique style of setting many small stones resembled the seed clusters of a pomegranate. Perhaps you have an heirloom from a great grandmother like this? Have a jeweler check clasps and pin catches first, then by all means wear it.

Looking for a gem to "wow" your mom, your sweetheart or your best friend this holiday? Garnets signify eternal friendship and trust- making them a perfect gift!

Explore the birthstones for each month:

Birthstone for January: Garnet

Birthstone for February: Amethyst

Birthstone for March: Aquamarine

Birthstone for April: Diamonds

Birthstone for May: Emerald

Birthstone for June: Pearl

Birthstone for July: Ruby

Birthstone for August: Peridot

Birthstone for September: Sapphire

Birthstone for October: Opal

Birthstone for November: Topaz

Birthstone for December: Blue Topaz