To Be...Or Not?

Ok, the fun is nearly over as I write this overlooking the Pacific Ocean on the Hawaiian island of Kauai’s southeastern coast. My summer sojourn took me from Maine to Spain and a final side trip to San Francisco that included Napa Valley, where on a wine tour of the valley, I unexpectedly met the owner of the Amizetta Vineyard/Winery. Was it just me or the result of previous vineyards I have visited that are beginning to affect my memory? This guy looked very familiar- he shook my hand and said hello, Richard. Geeze Louise, Mr. Clark is one of my customers!

His wife Amizetta and he have been wintering on Marco Island for many years. Their wine was the best we tasted that day, okay! Maybe a bit more than just tasted. The next day, we embarked on a road trip to the trendy beach town of Carmel.

My last hurrah trip of the summer included a hop, skip and a jump from San Francisco to a place that has always been on my bucket list...Honolulu. It was crazy busy, maybe a bit too crazy busy. I was able to meet up with my niece Jackie who has lived in the suburbs for several years and was finally introduced to the newest addition to the family, my great nephew Max. Jackie surprised my wife and traveling companions to a spectacular sunset sail on a friend’s yacht, and was it ever! Max, at sixteen months young, has more sailing experience than most people!

We said our goodbyes, promising to soon return. We were soon off to the not-so-touristy Hawaiian island of Kauai. I’m sorry nothing compares with Kauai (my condolences to my other beloved islands Marco and Mallorca - you come in a respectable second and third place). First impressions are everything and Kauai is a sparkling jewel that does not disappoint - it’s hard to believe you are in the United States. Words alone cannot describe its beauty and grandeur. The jungle-clad mountains, canyons, waterfalls with picturesque beaches, surf and coastal scenes that short circuit all your senses…it’s just too much to absorb. Any of you who have been here would have to agree with me. On this trip, I have checked off many things on my bucket list that I hadn’t even thought of, much less planned to do or see the rest of my life, and had to simply pencil it in.

Our speed boat tour of the volcanic cliffs and sites of the western coast I’ll never soon forget, nor will every joint and muscle in my body. The three 250 hp engines felt like flying from wave to wave - this was not for the faint-hearted and it wasn’t on my bucket list, another penciled in check mark. What a ride! 

Leaving this newly discovered paradise will be no easy task.

I interrupt this joyful experience to now get back to business.

So what is to be or not to be jewelry-wise this coming holiday season that includes our 2024 season? While it has been a wonderfully beautiful ride this summer, believe it or not, I have been working... kind of.

I relish the European part of my trip - it’s where I absorb the Italian, French, German and Spanish jewelry influences. That’s where I can put my finger on the pulse of what will be and not be the new and exciting here, I get a jump on what will be popular here in the states way before most other domestic shops know it exists. l can’t mention too much here for fear of letting the cat out of the bag to some of my competitors who would gladly exploit the fruits of my joyous labors.

Okay, just one...I decided on re-establishing business with a German jewelry manufacturer whose line I discovered and carried over ten years ago. Their over-the-top quality contemporary designed gold and sterling silver jewelry ensembles set with all shades of colored semi-precious gemstone combinations will hopefully dominate the lines I presently carry. All I can say is come see for yourself the treasures I have procured this season for my clients who demand the best and the unusual this holiday season.

On my slow, meandering drive from Maine back to Marco, I was able to see what Northern and Southern East Coasters were wearing. Some were wearing chic and fun pieces and some the same tired old same old. Seriously folks, the once popular collectible silver add-a-bead bracelet that was let out of the box went out of style with Block Buster and the CD player. It’s time to let it become an antique and let it go and move on!

Another hint: smaller is still better and has been a big hit worldwide and I intend to push the trend on the island to a larger scale this season. Tiny hints of gold and silver in diamonds and precious gems in rings, pendants, link chains and anklets with micro set gems, wear in layers, the perfect jewelry for not just the South Florida lifestyle... Simple, inexpensive and fun to wear all the time.

Important colored natural diamonds were in big demand last season. I hope that trend continues - several canary yellows and a magnificent vibrant pink oval diamond set in a ring I created last July. I have a feeling that lab-created diamonds may be in demand, I won't know for sure until I experience the Christmas gift giving rush.

Aloha, see you all soon.