I’m back! I took an extended break from blogging for the Holidays but I am back and will try to post once each week.

I am still pregnant and we found out that it is a boy! Now we just wait and try to get prepared for May when he will hopefully decide to come without any complications!

Also, our installation at Birdhouse Collectible went in as planned as is still there for all to go and see! Their permanent hours are Wednesday 11-6 and Saturday 11-6 but you can also set up an appointment to see them if those times don’t work for you. Their website is http://birdhouseinteriors.com/collectible/ and all of their information is there.

And just in case you don’t live in Omaha or want to know why you should head downtown, here is the entire collection of our jewelry that is down there. If you have any questions about anything please feel free to contact me either via this website or at leah@leahashley.com.

Pendant: Marquise Apatite with 2 Round Aquamarines set in 18K White Gold with a 14K chain.

Pendant: Round Citrine set in 18K White and Yellow Gold with a 14K chain.

Earrings: 2 Round Diamonds set in 18K White Gold.

Pendant: 1 Round Diamond set in 18K White Gold with 14K chain.

Pendant: 3 large and 4 small Paua Shells set in Sterling Silver with Sterling Silver chain.

Pendant: 3 large and 8 small Paua Shells set in Sterling Silver with Sterling Silver chain.

Ring: 1 large and 3 small Paua Shells set in Sterling Silver.

Ring: 1 large and 2 small Paua Shells set in Sterling Silver.

Ring: 3 small Paua Shells set in Sterling Silver.

Pendant: Round Pink Tourmalines and Graduated Diamonds set in 18K White Gold with 14K chain.

Ring: Plain Sterling Silver.

Ring: Plain Sterling Silver.

Ring: Oval Cabochon Fire Opal and Diamonds set in Palladium and 14K Yellow Gold.

Ring: Trillion Fire Opal and Diamonds set in 14K Yellow and White Gold.

Ring: Round Yellow Sapphires and Diamonds set in 18K White Gold.

Diamonds are the things to have a lot of, especially in the US, but colored stones are my passion. There are so many of them and they are all so different with different qualities and colors!! Take a look at the pictures of (almost) all of the stones in my personal collection.

I’m not usually a huge birthstone person. I don’t really believe that the stone for each month have a special meaning and can reflect a person’s personality if they were born in that month. But I do think they are a fun way to represent your loved ones in jewelry.

Topaz is the original birthstone for November. Usually one would use yellow or imperial topaz for November rather than any other color(Imperial topaz is a kind of yellow-y salmon-y color. Very pretty). These days Citrine is also considered to be a suitable stone for November. Natural yellow and imperial topazes are quite rare and can get very pricey so Citrine is a slightly lower priced alternative.

Citrine is a naturally occuring stone, it is a quartz like amethyst, but it is usually heat treated. Not all Citrines are low priced. Citrine ranges from a light orangish yellow to a dark orange color. The more intense the color, the more expensive the stone. Color variations can be helpful when putting together a Mother’s Ring or any other type of jewelry where a customer is representing specific people with gemstones. If a yellower Citrine will not look as good with the other stones in a particular piece, one always has the option of using an oranger stone or vice versa. Color is such a personal choice that chances are that not everyone born in the month of November is going to like every Citrine.

I personally love oranges and yellows so I don’t find many Citrines that I don’t like.

Check out some pictures of some Citrines in my personal collection!