Ben Nighthorse Campbell has been a lifelong creator of great jewelry his most recent creation, The Creation Pendant, continues his award winning ways with a beautiful two sided silver and turquoise pendant.

The front of the pendant features heavenly bodies and the back features petroglyphs and the overall shape is inspired by a 14th century talisman for good luck. You can get yours from the National Museum of the American Indian for $550 with all proceeds going directly to support the museum.

Thanks to the guy over at Luxist for the heads up.

I spotted this cool idea over at MSN a while back. Why not display your jewelry as art instead of keeping it locked up in a small box on your dresser?

This particular version is a few manzanita branches in a simple vase and then the tree is decorated with your fine jewelry. You get an interesting display that keeps your jewelry from getting all tangled up, and it’s asy to see what you have to choose from when getting ready for you power day. And think of the possibilities when asking fro “decorations” for your tree!

Never Forget is a fabulous project to pay tribute to our fallen soldiers of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Project Never Forget is offering every family who has lost a soldier in the war one personalized 3-D photo charm. You can submit your request to Project Never Forget by going to their website and filling out the forms. Priority is given to wives and mothers of the fallen soldiers, but additional charms are available.

Friday Freebies are back and we have some great sweepstakes for you this week..

Stating out with Brooks Fine Jewelry is giving away this cool sterling silver Chameleon Cuff slide bracelet with onyx twist-on ends. Just sign up to win a chance in the drawing being held on Feb. 4.

Fancy something in blue? How about a blue diamond pendant? Apples of Gold is giving away a cool 1/2ct blue diamond circle pendant. You should go check it out before the drawing on Feb. 14th.

And finally, Generous Gems is giving away a chance to win a 2.8mm, .15ct Princess Cut Enhanced Yellow _____ . A what? Oh yeah, you need to answer the qustion for your shot at winning. You didn’t expect me to give you the answer did you?

I went out looking for some unique jewelry for our January babies. And I hit on some very cool garnet jewelry for you.

This first piece is from the Antique Jewelry Mall in their Bohemian Garnet jewelry collection. Victorian style designs in blood red garnet always makes for a striking design. There are some Gothic Crosses in there that are simply stunning too.

Morning Glory Jewelry also has some great Bohemian jewelry that I simply love.

And finally, for those of you deep of pocket, we found this collection of antique garnet jewelry over at Lang Antiques. I do love color gemstones.

Happy New Year everyone! It’s been a great year here at Bangles and Brides and we expect even more great things in the next year. And what better way to start the year than by talking about the birthstone for January, Garnet?

Garnet is traditionally thought of as red in color, but can be found in colors ranging from green to pale yellow to firey orange and earth tones. Certain garnets also have the ability to change color, much the same as Alexandrite, when going from natural light to artificial light. So don’t think that just because your birthstone is Garnet you are stuck with a red stone.

Garnet is another of the ancient gems having traditions going back as far as Noah’s Ark and being used as a lantern to guide Noah through the floods. It has come to symbolize truth, grace, faith, sincerity and loyalty. North American Indians used red garnets as bullets, believing they would seek blood and inflict a deadlier wound. Christians believed garnet symbolized Christ’s sacrifice; Islamics believed it illuminated the fourth heaven. Garnets were thought to stop bleeding, cure inflammatory diseases, and smooth discord.

The rich color of the garnet brings passion, productivity, and self-confidence to mind. Red garnet provides protection, gives the wearer’s self-esteem a boost, and provides a calming influence. Wear a garnet for protection from any threat to the body, mind, and spirit.

Who knew that such a simple stone could have so much history tied to it?

It’s perfectly normal to feel “blue” or a bit let down, even a little depressed following any big event. A party, a holiday, and yes, even your wedding day. With all of the planning, anticipation and excitement involved it’s completely understandable.

Here are a few tips and ideas for you to consider…

- You might try renting an especially funny movie, cuddle up and watch it at home together.

- How about starting a new hobby or reviving an existing one? A new and fun project together.

- Try and make sure you’re getting enough to eat, enough sleep and enough exercise. Being tired or exhausted can leave you feeling down.

- Make a date! That’s right make a date to go out someplace special or visit with family and friends.

- Have a game night. Pick up a fun game and have a few friends over for a game night.

- Change your normal routine up a bit so you don’t get stuck in a rut.

- Try something new together. Ever been on a hot air balloon ride? How about horseback riding?

I hope some of these ideas help you out. And remember, each and every year you’ll have a very special and new milestone to plan for and celebrate. Your anniversary.

Believe it or not, I’ve had quite a few folks come to me and present me with their once white diamond that has now turned a shade of yellow. Even my wife presented me with her F color marquis diamond that had taken on a pale shade of yellow.

Don’t fret. Your diamond did not simply turn color. Each and every instance of this that I have seen have all had the exact same thing in common… well water. Yep, good old fashioned well water that has a high iron content. You know, rust stains. Take your ring to your favorite jeweler and they’ll be able to place it in some “pickling” solution and then clean your diamond to remove the discoloration.

It’s also a very good idea not to wear your ring in the shower or anyplace else it can come into contact with your tap water in order to help prevent it from happening.

Ahhhhh… Christmas. A magical time of year. Friends and family celebrating together. Also the time when people choose to propose to to the one they love.

You have the engagement ring, you’ve summoned up the gumption to actually propose, now what? There are so many ways to turn that Christmas marriage proposal into a an exceptionally magical moment that will last a lifetime.

Create a small “treasure hunt” of several small packages each containing a clue or poem to the whereabouts of your very special gift. Each package leading to the next with the last one leading to you, where on bended knee you ask for their hand in marriage.

More of a hi-tech person? Shoot a video of you proposing to the camera. The whole room will light up and gasp. As your loved one turns to you with that look of surprise, there you are, offereing your gift and asking for their hand.

Please join us in our Marriage Proposal forum for some more ideas.

Looking for that one of a kind ring? Check out Sevan Bicakci.

Sevan specializes in creating one of a kind works of art featuring unusual stone cuts and incredible detail. His art is seen as a revitalization of Byzantine and Ottoman arts in order to create jewelry that reflects the spirit of Istanbul. While the work uses precious materials in its construction, he likes to mix in lots of other types of materials. This way, the jewelry is not worn solely as a demonstration of the wearer’s ability to afford scarce commodities. It is instead a material manifestation of the artist’s vision.

Sevan was also a winner of the 2007 Tanzanite Foundation’s Celebration of Life Jewelry Design Awards. The ring on the left is his winning entry. I just love the dramatic look to his work. Too bad he doesn’t have a decent website with his work on it.