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Image if this picture is of one booth what a tent the size of two football fields full of booths like this would be like to shop for jewelry and gemstones!

I shopped nine hours a day for three days and found some of the most incredible jewelry ever.

An experience like this makes me reconsider the need to travel to foreign countries to find exotic jewelry. I bought from vendors from Tibet, India, Turkey, Afghanistan, China, New York and Arkansas, Africa, just to name a few.

I'm not sure which was more rewarding the purchases I made or the people I met! I know I say this every time but this was one of the most special buying trips I've ever made.

The above pictures are of some of the treasures I saw. This teapot is gold plated with gemstones and cost $4,600, sorry I didn't buy it!

And then there were the people! This man was a grocery sacker (left). These are our friends from Delhi (center). And this adorable little girl's parents were our favorite vendors from New Jersey (right).

                                          Some of my Tucson Treasures are pictured below

      Rings   $95                      Druzy necklace $295          Brass and agate cuffs

                                               bracelet   $175                                 $95

There were so many treasures you must call us if you'd like a preview package of one of a kind pieces!

There are so many treasures to behold in this country of golden dragons, tropical weather and unique in all the world jewelry

-- yes -- these are water buffalo teeth!

But, as always the most treasured memories are the people. This lovely couple, Joan and Allan Eubank have been missionaries in Chaing Mai for over fifty years, not only have they started schools, clinics and churches their son, David initiated the Free Burma Rangers, a group of volunteers who work to help the people of Burma survive the atrocities in their country. We were honored to spend Thanksgiving with some of these rangers, missionaries and educators. There were over 30 guests as we shared a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with people from over 20 countries. Allan and I were humbled by the generosity of these people.

Yes, it's true only married women are required to wear sarees. I was overwhelmed by the colors and the sparkle of these beautiful yards and yards of silk, sequins and rhinestones! I even bought one, which is impossible to figure out on your own, but I love it! - Hint: click on an image below to see an enlargement

Jaipur, also known as the pink city is very different from Mumbai, although they are only a one hour flight apart.

Mumbai is a thriving port city with plenty of skyscrapers and a wealthy middle class dressed in western clothes whereas Jaipur, is the go to city for weddings! Brides come here to buy their jewelry and sarees.

Indian weddings are such a big deal! An average wedding has over 1,000 guests and lasts at least four days. Of the over 300 weddings held nightly in Jaipur we often saw many groom’s parades. This included several camels, an elephant, a brass band and butane lit crystal chandeliers to light the way of this all male parade with the groom decked out like royalty on a silver saddled white horse.

I’ve been in India for a week now and am beginning to get in flow with the rhythms of this amazing country.

INDIA - land of Exotic Jewelry!

This is one of the most exciting trips we've ever planned! It's definitely one of my "bucket list" places! INDIA.

I've never been to India, though I've bought jewelry from Indian vendors in Turkey, Greece, and LA. It's always been my favorite style... bold, beautiful gemstones and affordable.

Allan, my husband and I leave in three weeks for a month long adventure. Please stay tuned to my blog as I document our daily shopping trips. We've arranged for a private car/driver and guide to help us find those remote, unique jewelry shops, markets and bazaars.

So, after many painful shots, visas and revised plans... my itinerary follows:

Oct. 30th - leave Coronado - 18 hour flight - layover in Istanbul, Turkey (Happy Halloween)

Nov. 1st - 5th - Mumbai- Home of Bollywood, it's the most populated city in India, over 20m people. Known as the artistic capital of India. I'm looking for big bling here.

Nov. 6th -7th - Jaipur-The Pink City - This is the capital of gemstone jewelry, it's all here. All royalty once lived here and influenced the "over the top" accessories. I'll buy the rose-cut diamond jewelry here.

Nov. 8th-9th - Pushkar (famous annual Camel Fair, we're staying in a tent!) (Allan's thrilled:) There will be over 50,000 camels at this sacred Hindu pilgrimage place and I'm there to buy ethnic jewelry.

Nov. 10th-11th - Jaipur- Back to pick up the things I missed and ordered to be made.

Nov. 12th-17th - Delhi-Capital of India- the hub of commerce- it's all here, all jewelry vendors have a presence here and I'll find them.

Nov. 17th-30th - Bangkok & Chaing Mai, Thailand- This is our sixth time here, I have a list of client requests and reorders.

On my last trip to Turkey as I sent pictures of jewelry purchases via my weekly blog to all our clients; Janet, back in the shop, sold almost every piece I featured! So this trip we're offering a sneak preview of the new shipments as they arrive. Call Janet or Jackie toll free 877-435-6444 to request a "pick box". They'll explain the process.

Warm regards, Dolores, Jackie & Janet

Have you ever been curious about the healing magic of the ancient wisdom around stones?
                               Well, wonder no more!

Want to know how to attract the love of your life? Read more about rose quartz. 

So you're a bit moody? Opalite is the answer to "stabilize" those moods. 

Would some extra cash help out? Check out Citrine.

Do you need to get rid of negative energy in your life? Then Chalcedony is the answer.

And more interesting stories and folklore:

Pearls are the only gem born of a living organism.

Wear Rubies on the left hand to receive life's energy force.

http://dforsythe.com/Gemstone-Facts--Just click on this link to go directly to lotsa fun information and folklore about the gemstones in our collection.

ok, it's a crazy time to get into the "real" jewelry business!

Ten years ago when I started buying and selling jewelry I never thought I'd be in the "fine" jewelry business. However, I just couldn't resist when my clients started wanting to buy the "good" pieces I'd bought for my self.

This is the first piece I bought for myself and have now sold five of them to my clients. I never wanted a diamond tennis bracelet, but I'd always wanted a diamond bracelet. When I found this in Istanbul I knew it was the one and I've come to realize many woman want the same as I.

So, when I was in Turkey last month I searched for that special piece that was unique and considered a little pricey. I knew the expensive 22k gold was not what I was looking for... it's beautiful but everyone has their good jewelry. I wanted irresistible jewelry no one had seen before and were willing to spend a little more for.

Of course these are offered in the Fine Jewelry Collection at http://dforsythe.com/category/catalog/fine-jewelry. And naturally there's a good story about each piece.

I hope you'll take a minute and look at these 11 new pieces of jewelry and let me know what you think. I always appreciate hearing from you.

Warmest regards,

Dolores

I wanted to share with you the fun pictures I've taken of this seaside city Izmer and surrounding small villages.

I have eaten great food, drank awful Turkish coffee, met "real" women & men, seen sites you won't believe and petted Buda. Here are it all is:

FOOD:

PEOPLE:

PLACES:                                                            BUDA:                       STORK'S NEST:

I think all of the above are self explanatory. Did you get that the place is an out door toilet? And Buda is pregnant with six little ones to be delivered in one week. The first woman pictured is over 95 years old, she couldn't really remember her age, she smiled and asked me for a cigarette!

Now this one needs a bit of explaining, this is a costume worn by little boys under the age of 8. They wear it to their circumcision party! This is their rite of passage to manhood. A similar party is not given to young girls, when they start menstruation their mother slaps them and says welcome to womanhood...go figure. Neither seems very pleasant!

I feel so fortunate to have met Janset Bilgin, a Turkish jewelry designer.

Our dear friend Esin, who was also our tour guide, asked me over lunch if I'd like to meet a friend of her's who has become very famous in Istanbul for her jewelry designs. I jumped at the chance and what a delightful time we had... I even made a video of her shop.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1TuuWR6aYw

click on the above link to go directly to the video.

All of Janset's (pronounced Janet with an "s") designs are made from found organic materials. And if you watched the video you know she studied with one of the most famous designers in Turkey to develop her own unique style. Below are the one of a kind pieces I bought to sell in our little shop in Coronado:

#1. This necklace is made from dove gray woven silk cord, antique stone Turkish seals, faceted chalcedony, silver and gray suede has been coiled into cylinders to create a soft luxurious piece. The cord is adjustable to be worn as a long necklace with tunics or shortened to any length desirable. The neutral colors make this a timeless piece to be worn year round with any color pallet. $210.

                      #2. The pendant necklace below is very similar to a famous designer for Tiffany, Elsa Piretti. What makes it so unique is the large gray chalcedony gemstone attached by a black leather cord to the teardrop silver plated piece. The length also can be adjusted to compliment any neckline. The elegant simplicity of this design assures it's timeless.$110

#3. You'd never guess in a million years what this stone is that is encased in gold toned bronze. It's a huge rough ruby, if sliced into you would see the red tones we are accustomed to seeing in rubies. This is a very rare old stone that Janset found in what we would know as a pawn shop. She hand wrapped it and attached it to a leather cord. Just think what fun you'd have making bets as to what this is. I thought it was iron, it was so heavy. $110.

#4. This is a wonderful collection of gray suede, silver faceted chalcedony, labradorite, and quartz crystal. It's woven, twisted, rolled and frayed into this oh so soft colors textured necklace. As always, in Janset's designs there is a bit of whimsy, she's inserted two small beige stones to the strand. This is a piece you won't want to keep your hands off of. $210.

#5. The collection wouldn't be complete without this purple/lavender suede bracelet! Amethyst, chalcedony, silver and labradorite are magically blended with textured leather and cotton to make this a real conversation piece. $79.

     #6. And last, but not least, my favorite. Janset wove a chain link out of this gray suede and added an assortment of gemstones such as agate, labradorite, chalcedony, and mother of pearl. It's length comes from a delicate sterling chain and leather cord. This is the most contemporary piece of the collection and also the chunkiest. It, as all the pieces, can be adjusted in length. $210

Since I'll be coming home in a few days, I won't be shipping these pieces. If you're interested in purchasing any of them please call Janet at the shop to reserve it now.

I am truly ready to be back in the good old USA!

Warm regards,

Dolores