Tales from Tucson
Tales from Tucson: Good Friends; Great Finds!
I just arrived home from the greatest show on earth! For two weeks every year the desert city of Tucson is awash in precious stones. The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show is a world wide network of cultures where one can rub elbows with gemstone enthusiasts from every continent on the globe (except Antarctica!).
During our stay – my son, Carlos (a Graduate Gemologist), and I met a vast array of interesting people from miners to gallery owners, designers to gem dealers. Everyone has their own story to tell, and for “rock hounds” like us – it was a slice of heaven!
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| “Rock Collecting” with my son, Carlos. | Dinner with Carlos and Designer friends, Kenny + Heather |
Each day was like heading out on a gem exploration. Wearing comfortable shoes and toting plenty of water (to stay hydrated under the Tucson sun) we immersed ourselves into the world of gemstones. In 5 short days we experienced the cutting edge of rocks and minerals. This spring and summer on HSN you will see the fruits of our journey. We found amazing faceted Drusy, Brazilian Kunzite, Huge Mexican Opal, Indian Ruby and Sapphire, jumbo pearls, exotic jaspers, ancient fossils, Oregon Sunstone….and the list goes on and on!!
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| The early bird gets the gemstones! |
The highlight of the trip was spending the day with two of the most talented jewelry designers I’ve ever met: Richard and Marianna Jacobs. I’ve admired the Jacobs’ jewelry designs for years – and many of you will recognize this husband and wife team (and their beautiful offerings) as they have been showcasing their jewelry on television for more than a decade. I’m thrilled to announce that Richard and Marianna will be bringing their glorious collection of Sajen Silver to HSN’s Silver Gallery on March 28th. I can’t wait to introduce them and for you to see their stunning hand made jewelry! We had so much fun at the show together meeting with gem dealers, discovering new finds and getting inspiration for upcoming collections. Mark your calendar for March 28th (at midnight) for a jewelry event you won’t want to miss!
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| Gem Hunting with Richard + Marianna Jacobs | Meeting with Gem Dealers. |
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| Flintsone size Geodes! |
2009 is sure to be a “gem of a time” on HSN! I hope you can join us as we share the many wonders that were uncovered in Tucson this year. Saddle up, gemstone lovers – it’s going to be an exciting ride!
Happy Trails,
Colleen
Answers to Questions
Hi Bera in PA – I love all of your suggestions! Many of the things you are looking for are already in the works! Himalayan Gems is bringing in stunning Moonstone and other Silver Treasures from Nepal; your suggestion for Technibond from India is a good one….I will forward your request to our buyer. I will also pass on your ideas for more stainless steal jewelry. Take good care :)
Mary in Oregon – Himalayan Gems will be returning for February’s Silver Gallery on the 21st…..The amethyst pendant should be back for this show!
Howdy Becky in Texas – You are correct – the jade interchangeable pendant is not Imperial Jade, but rather the color of Imperial Jade (which I have been taught is close to an emerald green color). Thanks for your feedback and for watching HSN.
For Bev in Michigan – The cuff box is scheduled return in March for our Silver Gallery Anniversary (on the 28th)….Hope you can watch!
Hello Amanda in GA – (fellow Drusy lover!) You are asking about the Drusy rings I’ve been wearing……They are truly amazing and they will be the first Drusy Today’s Special we’ve offered on HSN!! The rings will be here on March 28 at midnight – the window Drusy is faceted (first of it’s kind) and will be offered in Violet Rainbow, Sunset Gold and Black Diamond (platinum). I can’t wait to show it to you on the 28!!
Malissa in California – nice to hear from you! I’m happy to hear you love your cuff box…..and we will be featuring gorgeous flower inspired jewelry for spring (you’re a girl after my own heart) so stay tuned!
Nancy in IN – Greetings! I miss Paul and Judy, too….I believe Paul has a web site where you can find out what they’ve been up to. Regarding Suzanne Somers: Suzanne will always be one of my favorite people to work with….we’ve shared so many great times together (on and off the air) and I always look forward to her shows!!
Hello Lois in IL – I was looking at the First Lady’s inauguration white dress and it appears she’s wearing diamonds (and not pearls!). I noticed she had on a gorgeous diamond cocktail ring, earrings and stack bracelets. Michelle also seems to loves to wear a short strand of large pearls (10 to 12 mm)….They look gorgeous on her and we have something like it in the works for May!
Hi Granny in IL – :) We saw the most beautiful new collection of jewelry from Thailand when we were in Tucson….We hope to debut it in May – stay tuned!
Pam in OH – Always great to hear from you! I’m so happy you like your MFT v-neck top – the neckline is perfect for jewelry! We have an hour of new My Favorite Things fashion coming up on February 22nd at 11:00 pm eastern……We have some great items for both work and “play” (If I recall you are always looking for things you can wear for work). I will talk to our buyers about bringing in size 4 rings…..We have a big jewelry meeting on Friday and I’ll be sure to bring this up as a topic for discussion :)
For Atesha in NJ – I will check out the Casino Royal movie and look for the necklace you’re talking about – it sounds fabulous!
Finally – Pat, Carolyn and Karen….You are all looking for more Prestige boxes. My buyer has informed me that we have new boxes coming in every month starting in March (with new spring colors in May) so you will be seeing all the styles arriving over the course of the next couple months. We try to always feature them during our Silver Gallery shows….Hope this helps!
Thanks for all the great feedback…..I look forward to hearing from you!!
All my best,
Colleen
Hi Colleen, recently bought the multiagate/quartz necklace and bracelet item #398534. It was featured on your favorite things and it has now become my favorite thing as well! Just wondering if you could tell me the agates used I truly enjoy knowing what i’m wearing as I always get asked :) Thank-you!
Dearest Colleen!
I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE your presentations on air. You are the most genuine and warm, REAL women I have seen in a long time! Your sales style is excellent because you are so passionate about the products and never try too hard as many other hosts unfortunately do. You crack me up especially when you are with Suzanne Somers and have your melt-downs! You are a real SUNSHINE in my life after a long and stressful day of work. Love you!! Vera (originally from Germany).
Colleen,
You are such an EXCELLENT hostess! Your expertise about the products you present is impeccable, and you represent HSN with such enthusiasm and warmth. Tell your boss you deserve a raise! I know so many of your customers are asking about this–do you know if the Prestige cuff bracelet/watch jewelry boxes will become available? I have purchased three of these, but need more for gifts (and for me, too!) LOVE LOVE LOVE the other boxes I have purchased as well
Colleen, Your show today was great!! I wanted the Celestial Quartz ring and pendant but was to late!! Will you get them back in? I would like both as they make a beautiful set. if so when? thanks, Billie in Sun City Center, Fl
Hi colleen, its great buying all the beautiful jewelry from you, but we need the jewelry boxes to store everything. I’m looking for item 276229 in turq. and have been checking for 5 months. please let me know when they will be back. thanks helen
Dear Colleen,
I have begged and waited for you all to produce item 638-228 again. It is so beautiful and I bought it for my mom for a gift. I want to buy one for myself as I have the matching ring. Technibond is simply beautiful and this turquoise and cz bracelet is amazing. I am in hopes you read this and help me.
I love to watch your shows and I love your personality and you are a beautiful person.
Thanks,
I will be hopeful..
Hi Colleen!! Really love watching you when you are hosting. I have a questionss for you. You said that you were going to explain how to care for and clean your druzys. If you did explain, I missed it. Could you please tell me how to take care of my druzy’s??
Colleen,,Loved your drusy, got it in rainbow and it is just as you say, takes on any color around it. It does remind me of spring, but can be worn all yr round. Also bought Sajen Carribean blue ring and earrings. I am not a gemologist but would like to know if they are a faceted quantum cut.after examining in the sunlight. I have learned quite a bit from watching your shows, they are almost like classes in gemology. Thanks again.
Colleen, I would like to know what happened to the team of Paul Deasy and Judy Crowel. They disapeared quite some time ago. Just wondering if you know what happened to them. Carol Blake
PJS. Denver,Co. Are Indulgence Diamonds staying on HSN. There diamonds and designes are very classic. also get the better quality jade for button earrings. So Long.
Hi Colleen (you’re my favorite host),
There was a pink/rose (quartz ?) bracelet shown on the HSN home page during Silver Gallery. You mentioned that everyone was calling about it & you didn’t receive them for the Silver Gallery shows. Could you please tell me when it will be shown ?
Also, I missed the Ramona Singer shows! And, just discovered some of her jewelry. WOW, beautiful pieces ! Could you please tell me when she’ll be back ??? TIA for any info you can give me.
Colleen, I was so happy to see your large anti-tarnish ring box.You might consider a locking ring box, too? Sajen Silver deserves the best, and should never be allowed to tarnish. NOW–I would be so excited to have an anti-tarnish GODDESS necklace Box to care for all my SAJEN silver pins, pendants, necklaces, silver pieces, and bracelets…Please design a Several Layer, large LOCKING box to keep these special pieces in, and my grandchildren out! THANKS, Judi
i see pics of marianna & richard jacobs up top! was sorry to have them leave shopnbc. nice to see them here! my favorite pendant i wear all the time is one of their goddesses with a rainbow obsidian face & ammolite/mexican fire opal (wish we saw more ammolite). the balinese carvers do such great work on the goddess carvings. i also really like mine finds – so many unusual and different stones.
hello colleen and your family..hope you had a great st.patricks day..would you please pass the word to bring more clip-on-earrings…thank-you.
Colleen – I’ve newly purchased a number of JK gorgeous pieces. Have a favor to ask – Alittle Improvement~Huge Result; to add 3-4 jump rings between the hook and the necklance end car; that spacing to hold on to will make it much easier fo fasten. Thanks for any you can pass along. It is a true joy to watch and learn from your shows! Keep up the good work.
a very-good morning colleen..i’m still waiting for-jay-king to give us a watch-with all of the great-stones,he comes up with…aren’t you???? please put in a good-word…thank-you and thanks hsn..and jay-king..
RI, the window druzy pieces you noticed are from the Sajen Silver collection. It looks like they will be debuting on March 28 – and we’re really looking forward to seeing Richard and Marianna Jacobs again with their wonderful jewelry!
I was watching a show this past week (March 12th I think) with you, Colleen & Wei East. You were wearing a window drusy ring & bracelet. I have looked a HSN for these and have not seen them. When will they be on? Thank you — Wondering in RI.
Hello Colleen!Thanks for sharing the events of your thrilling trip. Delighted to hear your son is intelligent and a go-getter like his Mom. I just wanted to say that I am VERY HAPPY the Jacobs have joined the HSN team. Their jewely is stunning but more impressive is their love of the people they keep employed making their designs. I have watched the Jacobs for years and appreciate how soft spoken, honest and caring this couple is.How much fun to spend the day with them. Saving my pennies. LOL
thank-you colleen for keeping us posted about what is in..if hsn. needs someone to try out there samples count me in…love watching you,as you explain everything to us and also you measure,and i love the way you wear the jewelry,and we can see how it looks on you so this helps us out here to see how it would fit on us..thank-you.
Colleen~You are my fave! Does Prestige make an earring box? What about bracelet boxes, that would hold line bracelets and even cuffs? I purchased two of the ring boxes and love them. I want the necklace boxes; I’m waiting for the red to reappear. Also, my favorite guests are Heidi Daus, Nicky Butler, Sheila Fajl and our beloved Wei. I simply cannot get enough of their creations. Thank you for always uplifting our spirits and making us smile with your cheerful, sweet disposition!
Hi Colleen: Please do let us know the watch you have been wearing… I have been searching a watch just like the one you have been wearing on many shows but no luck… so the moment I saw it, I called the customer service but no one could find it! BTW, you look more beautiful than before, you must share your secrets with us… other than SSC-C-line whateles are you using? Thank you! ;-)
YEAH-the Jacobs did not RETIRE-can’t wait to see the Offerings collection again!.ingg
Colleen I just had to comment on the latest ring that Jennifer Flavin-Stallone was sporting this visit. Holy smokes what is that? It’s absolutely stunning. Also, my b-day is this month and I am really into milky aqua lately. I’m more of an opaque gem fan. Any chance of getting some milky aqua pieces set in sterling? TIA
Just want to know how to make turquoise shine, mine seems dull and polishing cloths don’t seem to help. Thanks Pat