Plastic Spray Bottles, Yeah!

Sometimes the most basic home accessories make life sweeter. Extra power circuit breaker strips strategically placed throughout your home are an example. Plastic spray bottles are another. 

To make household cleaning efficient and easy, I have 5 plastic spray bottles, the 32-ounce size, which I bought several years ago at Home Depot. I don't recommend going bigger or smaller in size. Smaller, you'll be refilling your bottle every time you turn around, and bigger gets heavy to lift and less nibble to point and spray as you clean.

I fill my 5 spray bottles with (1) and (2) white vinegar and water (keeping bottles in both my kitchen and bathroom; (3) ammonia and water (kept in the kitchen to remove sink and countertop stains like coffee); and since the pandemic began, (4) bleach and water (stashed near the front door and bathroom) and (5) hydrogen peroxide in the bathroom to clean the toilet and fixtures. I cover this last bottle with a blue-green pastic bag to keep light from compromising the H2O2.

Before the pandemic, I cleaned my kitchen; bathroom; and apartment floors with white vinegar and water only; and my glass and mirrors with ammonia and water (homemade Windex) ... but the pandemic has given me a newfound respect for bleach -- adding 4 tablespoons to 32-ounces of water is an inexpensive Center For Disease Control (CDC) approved disinfectant of the coronavirus. At the beginning of Covid when we were less sure of how the virus spread, I used the breach and water to spray the soles of my shoes and entryway of my apartment. (If you recall, we couldn't buy alcohol or hydrogen peroxide until the supply chain caught up with demand.)

Spray bottles are the perfect tool to disinfect and clean surfaces, big or small, with a powerful fine mist of household cleaners. You get the surface very wet with a cleanser while using less product. There's no waste of the liquid going everywhere else, nor of leaving spots of surface dry. Instead, it's an even saturation of cleaner/disinfectant ... bullseye, right where you need it!

And during COVID, these spray bottles make disinfecting like crazy easy. Who knew when I bought them they'd get such a workout?!

I'm also a fan of putting spray triggers on the tops of alcohol and hydrogen peroxide bottles in my home. I liked the practice so much when cleaning, I transferred the idea over to wound sanitizing. For an even application of disinfectant on boo-boos without waste, I'll point the trigger: Pscht ... bullseye!🎯🙂

Now, let's discuss when to splurge and save on buying plastic spray bottles:

For home cleaning mixtures, I went to Home Depot to select professional plastic bottles with sturdy spray triggers, but for the smaller job of disinfecting abrasions with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, I simply repurpose the spray triggers from personal care items (like hair heat tamers, etc,) for free - screwing them directly onto their new products! (That way you also keep the original alcohol and hydrogen peroxide bottles with warning labels.) Wash and rinse the spray triggers well before repurposing them. Save a few bucks if they fit and do the job.

However, the plastic spray bottles for your household cleaners need to be bigger and better as they get used on bigger surfaces frequently, so invest in professional durable bottles and triggers for these tasks. My favorite brand is the wide mouth Master Blaster. Simplify your life further by buying bottles for all the areas of the home where you'll use them. At about $3 - 4 each, they're cheap enough; and convenience is worth every penny.

Truly, you'll wonder why you didn't buy plastic spray bottles to do your chores sooner!

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Test Kitchen's Cast Iron Baked Ziti with Charred Tomatoes

All photos courtesy of America's Test Kitchen (Click ATK to watch.)

America's Test Kitchen, the television show, shared this recipe as a non-subscription freebie. It's a one-cast-iron-skillet dinner that promises to be as delicious as the more complicated, multi-pots-and-pans method of making baked ziti. The only other kitchen tools you'll need are a cutting board and a sharp knife. As usual, I like to post a winning recipe on THE SAVVY SHOPPER so I, too, can return here to make it again.

Food takes a big bite out of a budget, yet knowing how to cook ensures you eat healthy and delicious meals without a struggle. Now let's get cooking ...

Cast Iron Baked Ziti with Charred Tomatoes

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs grape tomatoes

1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

6 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon tomato paste

1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes

12 oz of uncooked ziti

3 cups of water

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

4 oz of mozzarella cheese, grated

1/4 cup of fresh basil, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1) Heat the tomatoes mixed with extra virgin olive oil and salt in a preheated 12 inch cast iron skillet and cook on medium-high for about 10 minutes, stirring periodically until the tomatoes are charred.

2) After the tomatoes are charred and start to break up, add the minced garlic, tomato paste, and red pepper flakes. Stir and cook for about 30 seconds more, or until you smell the garlic.

3) Turn off the heat and using a potato masher, mash the charred tomatoes into a sauce.

4) Next toss the uncooked ziti pasta into the skillet along with 3 cups of water.

5) Turn the heat back on high to bring it to a boil.

6) Reduce the heat and let the pasta cook under a lid, stirring often to prevent sticking until the noodles are al dente. This takes about 10 -12 minutes. Make sure the ziti cooks under the liquid to tenderize and watch as the liquid evaporates for consistency that is not too wet or too dry.

7) Next mix in the parmesan cheese and fresh chopped basil.  Also, salt and pepper to taste.

8) Top the dish with mozzarella cheese.

9) Finally place the cast-iron skillet into a preheated broiler setting in the oven. Stay with it by the stove. Let the cheese melt and brown, but watch carefully so neither the cheese nor pasta burns.

Cast iron skillets get blazing hot, and after pulling the ziti out of the oven, you'll have to wait for it to cool down. 

How I adore one-pan meals ... definitely, a keeper recipe, and an easy-peasy cleanup! The only tweak I made was to reduce the recipe by 1/3 so it fits into my 10 1/2 inch cast iron skillet. I also charred small plum tomatoes instead of grape tomatoes.

My Italian readers will cringe over a few substitutions: Although it is baked ziti, you could use curly noodles if it's what you have in the pantry or jarred tomato sauce in the winter. When I need a quick meal for just myself, I'm not above using #8 spaghetti noodles, and after plating it, melting the topped mozzarella in the microwave. [Yikes, did I just admit it? It is my way of making one tasty serving of pasta with no leftovers.] However, for guests make the dinner the Test Kitchen restaurant-worthy way. So easy and delicious. Enjoy!

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A Hearts And Arrows Cut Diamond: What Is It?

All post photos courtesy of James Allen, including this Hearts and Arrows diamond.

As I researched diamond cuts for my last jewelry blog, I ran into the term hearts and arrows cut, so I thought it would be a fun topic to explore, letting you know what it is. Although gemstone browsing is a joy, I'd never seriously consider buying this cut of diamonds. Such cut stones cost a bundle, and you don't need such precision to get a nice sparkly diamond. {Now if I received one in a suite of jewelry like a royal bride from Arabian princes, I wouldn't turn it down. Hey Emir, right-hand ring!}

See the hearts and arrows yet?

A Hearts and Arrows diamond is a 57 faceted round brilliant cut. The diamonds are cut to "Ideal" proportions. In the face-up (crown) position, there is a near-perfect pattern of 8 symmetrical arrows and when looking at the stone in its tabletop (pavilion - see top image) position, there is a near-perfect pattern of 8 symmetrical hearts. The diamonds have good optical symmetry, polish, and this exacting, precision, repeating pattern. A hearts and arrows cut diamond looks bigger than non-Ideal cuts because it reflects more brilliance (i.e., white light) across the diamond.

Yes, it sparkles and dazzles like mad, but since only 1% of the world's diamonds are hearts and arrows cuts, you can guess the expense. Want to mortgage your house today to buy one? 

So what adds to the cost? The 1% rarity of the diamonds for one. More of the rough diamond is lost to produce a hearts and arrows diamond, and it takes an expert, experienced diamond cutter and polisher to cut and polish the diamond. As expected, deep pockets are going to pay for it. 

Here's why you may want to select a more common, closer to budget-friendly diamond. It takes a specially designed light-direction viewer called a Hearts and Arrows scope to see the near-perfect precision pattern of this super Ideal-cut diamond. So this might mean 2 purchases ... and what are you going to do, carry around a scope to offer people a look?😁😃😆  

Certainly, we can cherish a peek at rarity, symmetry, and skillfully cut diamonds, but when it comes to pulling out my wallet, I'll go with eye clean every time. I can enjoy stones that are not as rare or absolutely perfect because I get to keep my home, as well as, wear my sparklers with more abandon!

To me, buying jewelry and gemstones is similar to buying computers. I can only afford to pay the piper up to a certain amount and could never keep up with the latest, the greatest, the apex of quality, Great Britain's Spencer sisters, or LA's Kylie Kardashians. But I bet I love my affordable bling just as much! They don't stay in a box.

Here's an extra diamond buying tip: Be flexible on color. A rating of E, F, or G color may not be where you want to spend your money. Consider up to a "J" rating, which is still colorless, yet costs far less. Buying a HUGE diamond is where you'll notice the difference between an E and J color. Save money by sticking with eye-clean, and perhaps you will be able to afford a bigger diamond for the money. Mother Nature produces a range of beauties. Out in public, nobody notices a diamond as a J color! 

Likewise, while you need a good cut, only a bionic eye could spot a hearts and arrows pattern. But hey, whenever you have the chance to feast your eyes on the top of the heap, do! Twinkle, twinkle, little star (of the show) !!! It's free ... a JOY to behold! ... and your money stays in the bank!!

Here's the Hearts and Arrows Diamond on a hand, dream-sized! 😍

By the way, within the Hearts and Arrows diamond cut, there's an even rarer cut called the Decagon 10. It's a 111 (as opposed to 57-58) faceted diamond with 10 hearts and arrows (instead of 8) that reflects fire (color light) and flashes of white light like no other diamond cut. The Decagon 10 Hearts and Arrows diamonds are only cut in the D - G colors, VS2 clarity (flawless), and certified with triple ideal (0) stones (i.e., shimmers enough to blind you!). See what I mean by can't keep up with the latest, the greatest, the pinnacle, the most expensive? The bar always rises!

Photo: JannPaul - Hello, gorgeous!

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The Classic Cardigan Sweater

Photo: Lands' End 

Even as an adult, my mother sometimes gives me, shall we say, "unsolicited advice." She might adopt, then cling fiercely to a puzzling obsession for a period of time, pleading her case in the most relentless and funny way every chance she gets. One year her obsession was to get me to wear more turtleneck sweaters. And we couldn't watch the Nightly News together without her pointing out, how the accomplished Ms. Diane Sawyer (the anchor of the broadcast) was wearing a turtleneck. Said Mom, "See, every successful woman wears one! It's why she has such an important job."

Photo: Appleseed. If my Mom sees this image, she might say, Look how happy this woman is in her turtleneck! 😊

Poor Mom to have a daughter unlike herself. In fact, a turtleneck isn't my favorite style of sweater. I think I only have one in my wardrobe. I haven't seen it in a while as I only pull it out on the coldest day of the year.

My favorite style of sweater is a cardigan. I have many of them in red and neutral colors for winter including black, navy blue, and gray; and in bright pastel colors for summer, such as turquoise, hot pink, red, sapphire blue, and teal. 

I have a couple of pullover sweaters, but it's the cardigans I wear. Having a front opening and being able to button and unbutton a sweater helps me to regulate my body's temperature, I suppose. If I get hot in lieu of taking off my sweater, I can simply unbutton it.  And, I also like the understated, polished look of a cardigan sweater, which you can dress up or down with the right skirt, trousers, shoes, and accessories. Easy, stylish dressing!

I like 100% Supima cotton cardigans for the summer and 100% cashmere or 100% merino wool cardigans for the winter. An ex-sailor (of the U.S. Navy) once told me that 100% wool sweaters keep you the warmest on moist rainy days. A good tip! Here's a 2nd tip: I like my cardigans long. A sweater length extending to the upper thigh is dressier, as well as, makes you look taller by drawing the eye to your legs.

IMHO cotton, cashmere, and wool are the most comfortable, wearable, and durable fabrics. You pay the piper once, but keep the cardigans for decades, so over time you truly get your money's worth in not having to rebuy them. Furthermore, in sweaters I tend to pass on fabric blends like cotton-modal or cashmere-nylon since my experience is, they don't tend to fit or hold up as well. These are basic rules of thumb sans finding a too-good-to-be-true deal.

Photo: L.L. Bean

Retailers I turn to for cardigans include Lands' End, Uniqlo, and L.L. Bean. L.L.Bean tends to offer chunky sweaters, while Lands' End and Uniqlo style sleeker cardigans. Sleeker (smoother and fitted) sweaters are usually dressier and more versatile while chunky sweaters are more casual. However, styles came and go, so a fresh browse from time to time is neccesary. Uniqlo, the Japanese innovative retailer, always has the best-priced cotton, cashmere, and merino wool cardigans -- and they hold up for years. All 3 merchants have Crewnecks and V-necks, as well as, an assortment of other sweater styles like pullovers and yes, turtlenecks. 

A classic cardigan will always be a wardrobe staple and my favorite style. Sorry, Mom! Perhaps you can get your other daughter to wear more turtlenecks.😉 On that's right, I'm her only daughter. Dear Mamà means well.💋

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My Kitchen Idle Tool List

If I knew before buying certain kitchen tools they'd sit idle in kitchen drawers, I'd pass on them. At some point, I'm sure I'll pack them up to take to Goodwill as these utensils take up valuable real estate, but I'm not quite ready to accept the reality I made a purchasing mistake and will never use them. I still fear if I lose them, a sudden need will arise that requires rebuying one of them most likely the day after it is gone. Moreover, they're small items, right? Soon enough though, I'll march them over to Goodwill. Perhaps I can save you the hesitancy, the rationalizing, the unnecessary cost:

5 kitchen tools I never touch:

1) Egg slicer - I mean, how often do you slice eggs? And if it's only one or 2 eggs, you use a sharp knife, no? Presto, a sharp knife can do the task in less than a minute.

2) Garlic press - Again, I use my trusty knife, which is probably already out slicing and dicing the vegetables and other ingredients for whatever dish I'm making. Nothing extra to wash or put away!

3) Potato peeler - This tool has never peeled a single potato ... not one! For the last decade, it's only been a drawer occupier. Some potatoes I cook unpeeled and with others, out comes the sharp knife again to do the job!

4) Pastry cutter - Buying one of these seems like a brilliant idea, yet again I simply use a knife to cut the butter into tiny cubes, then work the butter into the dough with my figures to ensure by feeling that the dough's texture is crumbly-right. I bought this thing despite already having 10 free human digits (which came with my hands, head, and trunk already assembled:). Go figure why I bought a thing unable to feel a dough's texture!

5) Melon baller - Did I have visions of hosting a garden party for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge when I hauled this tool home!?! And, the fruit balls are never picture-perfect-round. Plus, it's tiring to flip your wrist unnaturally up to make those incomplete balls, so I no longer reach for it. Instead, I dice watermelon, cantaloupe, or honeydew into bite-sized cubes. Perfect-complete-cubes!! Faster and saves the wrist. Turns out I should give my multi-tasking knife a pay-raise!

Can you add anything sitting in your kitchen drawers to my idle tool list? If I look in my drawers, I bet I could find 5 more idle utensils!

What makes us buy these extra gadgets? I wish I had become a minimalist earlier!😊

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Benefits Of 10 Popular Diamond Cuts

Photo: do amour

In a diamond, a good cut is the most important characteristic as it more than any other "C'' (namely: cut, carat, color and clarity) determines the gemstone's value. Jewelers advise us to never compromise on a good cut. The better the cut, the more the diamond reflects light (i.e, sparkles), and it looks bigger because the carat weight is in the right place to enhance the stone.

In addition, there are a number of popular diamond shapes to buy. How clean a rough stone is determines how a jeweler will cut it. A jewelry cutter works around the stone's natural inclusions (or flaws) to both preserve as much of the stone as possible while minimizing its inclusions.

Do you ever wonder what the benefits are of each of the popular diamond shapes ... and perhaps which cuts give you the effect (or illusion) of a bigger diamond for the money? If so, let's continue, shall we??

10 Popular Diamond Shapes (also available in colored gemstones):

1. Round cut - Round diamonds require the most skill and time to cut into exactly 58 facets. In the process, more of the stone is sacrificed than with other shapes. What's more, rounds are the most in demand for engagement rings; therefore they are the most expensive cut. As much as I favor brilliant round cut gemstones, the stone tends to be smaller for the same money then if we choose oval or emerald cuts. In addition, ovals and emeralds often look bigger (give you a bigger effect) per carat than rounds. Round cuts have the most sparkle. 

Yet, don't let this stop you from considering the 9 other cuts. With an expert cut, other diamond shapes sparkle plenty ... enough to blind the eye as you will see from examples below!

2. Princess cut - The princess cut is the 2nd most in demand shape, and you can get a bigger stone for the same money you will pay for a smaller round diamond. The princess cut -- at 50 - 57 facets -- is not as exacting as a round cut so less of the rough diamond is cut away. When cut well, a princess cut shines just as brightly to the naked eye! 

3) Emerald cut - An emerald cut is said to be a modern and sophisticated style. The elongated, rectangular shape can make fingers look longer. An emerald cut requires a clean rough diamond as jewelers can't hide inclusions despite its 57 facets, but unlike with clarity, you can compromise on color. With its smooth surface, an emerald cut gleams like a mirror with dramatic flashes of light bouncing off it. It's gorgeous too!

4. Pear cut - When pointed outward to the fingernail, this is another cut to make fingers look long and slender. The pear cut has 56 - 58 facets and is cut shallower than other shapes which means the diamond will often look bigger than a similar-sized (in carat weight) round or princess cut. The latter two have more of the stone forming their pavilions (a/k/a bottoms).

5. Radiant cut - A radiant cut is a rectangle diamond with 70 bright, shiny facets. The corners are clipped like emerald and cushion cuts (not pointy like the princess cut). Celebrities 1st rocked the radiate cut. Later on, it become available to the general public. Radiant cut diamonds continue to cost more and sparkle more than a princess cut, yet their edgy appeal isn't for everyone.

6. Marquise cut - We have King Louis XIV to thank for commissioning this cut to resemble the smile of his mistress.👑 Another shape to slim and make fingers look longer, a marquise cut has 57 facets to sparkle. Its length and points create a bigger stone effect over ovals and rounds. Pretty and unique, it's less popular than other shapes for engagement rings, which means you can get a bigger diamond for less money! Less in demand cuts tend to be a better value!

7. Cushion cut - The cushion cut is square. usually with 57 facets and what is sometimes called a crushed ice effect, which sparkles and dances. Like the round, a cushion cut is traditional in engagement rings, yet costs less. The feature to avoid in a cushion cut diamond is a deep set stone since you will pay for weight that cannot be seen ... and thus, it can look like a smaller diamond. If you desire a bigger effect diamond, you will have less selection in a cushion cut, as this shape tends to be cut deep. 

Looking at the 3 cushion cut diamonds (to the right) shows you how to get a bigger diamond effect without paying for a bigger central diamond, namely select a setting with accent or pavé diamonds. The extra, attendant stones and sparkle give the illusion of a bigger center diamond without paying for extra carat weight. A ''trick'' which applies to all the shapes.

8. Heart cut - To create a heart is one of the most difficult shapes to cut. It has 56 - 58 facets and is unique, feminine, and romantic. With a cleft, lobe, belly, wing, and point, a bad cut might shatter the stone. Softer gemstones tend not to be cut into hearts.

9. Oval cut - I love this shape in earrings and rings for the reasons cited above. As much as I love a round cut, similar sized ovals often look bigger. Also as earrings, ovals are easy to wear because they tend to stay put. Emerald, radiant, pear or heart cut earrings (shapes with edges or points) can shift out of place throughout the day. What you want to look for in an oval cut diamond is a subtle as opposed to a prominent bow tie (how light hits the stone) effect.

It's a wonder to me that oval cuts don't follow rounds in popularity for engagement rings. With 57 facets in the oval cut, you get a gorgeous effect and sparkle. Who needs a wedding? Give me that ring! (See above, right.)

10. Asscher cut - Developed by Joseph Asscher in 1902 during the Art Deco period. Typically with 57 facets, the asscher cut has less sparkle than other shapes (round, oval, marquise, pear, princess, heart, radiant, cushion, or emerald). Ha, that's quibbling! What it offers instead is a shimmering hall of mirrors effect. Because Asscher cuts require clean, colorless diamonds and tend to be rare, they cost more than other shapes; and there are few budget-friendly offerings to find. Oh, that explains why I love what I see, but don't own it.🙂

Photo: GIA Education

In life, we should only buy what we love ... but perhaps we could love more than a single cut to have a bigger diamond or a bigger effect. What shape do you absolutely love ... and what cuts could you love to get the biggest diamond (or effect) for the money?? The longer I look ... ohh I love them all!😍

For you readers, I dragged myself back to Tiffany & Co. to do the research for this blog. What I do for my readers ... work, work, work!🙂 The showcase lights hide the sparkle of the big and clean diamonds. Enlarge if you wish.

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The Pink Stuff

The Pink Stuff by manufacturer Stardrops, is all over TikTok as a ''miracle'' cleaning paste. Mildly abrasive, it contains baking soda, sodium silicate, quartz and soap -- all said to be safe and natural cleaning elements.

Like other pastes, you apply it to the surface of the thing you want to clean with a cloth or sponge, gently rub it in, let it sit for a minute and rinse with a wet cloth or sponge. Follow with clean water to remove any residue.

The ''miracle'' is The Pink Stuff makes formally impossible cleaning jobs easy. Difficult stains and gritty grimes are lifted off without a ton of scrubbing. It is especially effective on grease and burnt-on stains, so you can make old pots and tea kettles look new again. 

Other things and surfaces it works well on include stovetops (or hobs), sinks, floors, grout between tiles, glass, barbecue grills, outdoor furniture, rust, radiators, shoes (the sides above the soles), doors, and walls (after a test patch for the paint).

Testers on the Today Show and elsewhere say although The Pink Stuff isn't quite the ''miracle'' the manufacturer claims, it comes pretty darn close as a magic cleaning paste! Really tough stains still require some elbow grease and perhaps not everything can be restored to appear new again, yet in their tests, the paste is, indeed, super effective. Good to know!

I wouldn't go out of my way to buy a new cleaning paste, but if I had something stained and nothing else cheaper (like white vinegar, baking soda, salt, soap, lemon juice, ammonia, bleach, Ajax, or Bartender's Friend) worked, I'd try The Pink Stuff. I stock ammonia, Ajax, Bartender's Friend and pure bleach, but only turn to them for the heaviest, dirtiest, or germ-prone jobs. Mostly they're standbys. The Pink Stuff is affordable, yet pricer than common household cleaners. Its selling point is the lack of scrubbing needed to get out rust, or heavy-duty stains! The tougher than ordinary grudge!

Head's Up For Thursday's blog:  I'll tell you which cut gives you the biggest diamond?

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Opal, A Favorite Of Queen Victoria

The Virgin Rainbow is the world's most expensive opal.

Frankly I'm an opal come lately. This year while out researching jewelry, finally I see how beautiful opals are. Speaking practically, I can't buy every gemstone so maybe that's why I overlooked this fascinating gem for so long. The semi-precious stone is known to exist on Mars, and is reported to have been a favorite of Great Britain's Queen Victoria (who wore it and gave opal as gifts to her 5 daughters). Did the jewel's striking stream of iridescence catch Her Majesty's eye, then claim her heart? It seems so!

The necklace and ring courtesy of Angara.com

Opal is a ''hydrated amorphous'' form of the compound silicon dioxide (a/k/a silica - SiO₂·nH₂O). The gemstone has a high water content and is therefore classed as a mineraloid, as opposed to, the crystallite gems like diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds or garnets, which are examples of minerals.

Opal forms when a mixture of water and silica travels over the earth and through rocks, including limonite, sandstone, rhyolite, marl and basalt, as well as, across decomposing fossils, depositing itself into the earth's natural cracks, and faults. It's a process that gets repeated again and again over time until opal forms. In fact, it takes 5 - 6 million years for 1 cm of opal to mature!

The white and crystal opal may be my favorites. I'd love to see all 5 colors LIVE on display.

There are 2 broad classes of opal: precious and common, and it's a mind-twister explaining the differences of opal within these two broad classes. Suffice it to say, precious opal has a play of color (iridescence), while common opal does not. Generally the play (or flashes) of color makes precious opal gemstone quality; yet common opal (including milk opal) can sometimes display color and be gemstone quality too. What is so phenomenal about opal is the variety of color and patterns of the different stones in both the precious and common classes -- it's vast and complex when studied by jewelers. Each stone is unique. Iridescent black opal tends to be rare and more expensive. Here's a link to explain in detail the secret of opal's colors.

Photo: Opal Auctions

Australia supplies the world with about 95% of its opal, most notably the black opal. Ethiopia is a fine source of jelly opal (it has a translucent background), although they tend to be hydrophanours, i.e., they are the most porous and therefore absorb liquids (like water, oils, creams, perfumes or sweat) easily, so you must be especially careful with them. What's more, some mining of opal occurs in the USA (in Nevada, Oregon and Idaho), central Mexico, the Czech Republic, Canada, Slovakia, Hungry, Turkey, Indonesia and Brazil to name several areas of the world where it is found. The US tends to have white opal, and Mexico the red, translucent fire opal.

Photo: FWC Jewelers of a Mexican Fire opal, which despite being translucent in appearance like crystallites is a soft stone like all opals.

Opal rates a 5.5 - 6.5 on Moh's Scale of Hardness, making it a soft gemstone that will scratch or break if abused. It's one reason I don't own it, but when you consider that pearls are softer, registering a 4.5 in hardness, and I take care of those, it's a poor reason not to buy it! Often cut as cabochons, with proper care, opals are tough enough to wear as jewelry.

Photo: Courtesy of Your Average Jeweler of uncut white opal. See the sidebar for a link to Andrew's YouTube videos. 

Opal is less expensive than emeralds, rubies, sapphires or diamonds, but likely about as old and certainly unique, eye-catching and gorgeous. The fact that it is found on Mars tells us there is water on the red planet and hints that perhaps there was/is some form of life also. For sure, the delicate gemstone is another marvel of Mother Nature enhanced by the artistry of man so we can wear it!

Photo: Etsy of Ethiopian opal

Extra tips on whether you should buy an opal: On a limited budget, only buy what you love. So if you love opal, yes, as it's less expensive than some other stones. But, jewelry is nothing more than a luxury, so always buy the gemstones you love even if you must wait to save up for them. If you have no fine jewelry, I'd start with pearls (earrings and a necklace) as they're lovely, a great value, classic and versatile. Later you can add your favorite gemstone.😊

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Target Your Skincare: Naturium

Photo: Yahoo

Although I try to give equal coverage to all the categories featured on the blog, I'm finding great affordable skincare lately and so won't hold back: A 3rd beauty blog (plus my thoughts) in a row.🙂 💋

Target Express stores are opening all over Manhattan. As concerned as I am for Mom and Pop shops (which I also support), I can't deny liking the decent selection, convenience and savings on every day staples at the big box retailer. In the Target aisles, there are some top-notch skincare, including cleansers, serums and moisturizers costing $25 or less. The next time you go, take a look at Naturium. Online ... 31 products are listed. At the brick and mortar stores, what's available on any given day can be hit or miss, therefore if I see a frequently used item in stock on the shelf, I buy two.

Naturium is a skincare brand launched by Ben Bennett and Susan Yara in 2020. (In fact, Ms. Yara who is also a YouTube influencer, got in trouble with her fans by promoting the brand on her channel without telling them she is a co-owner!) The products are formulated to be natural, clean, non-toxic and green. They are vegan, except for the Intense Overnight Sleeping Cream which uses ethically sourced honey. Everything made is cruelty free, paragon free, skin-compatible, artificial fragrance-free, and dermatology tested. Naturium proudly follows science to continue to learn and improve its skincare. Sounds good, no?

Photo: hip2save

The most popular Naturium items include: Vitamin C Complex Serum, Retinol Complex Cream, Vitamin C Super Serum Plus, Niacinamide Gel Cream 5% and Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc. 

The cost of buying 5 products, even reasonably priced, adds up; so I recommend starting with the Vitamin C Complex for daytime use and Retinol Complex Cream for nighttime use. The pair is likely all you'll need. Consider the Vitamin Super C Serum Plus (it is a mixture of vitamin C and Retinol, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide) if you can only afford to buy a single face serum. Ideally, you want to use these ingredients separately, yet a better one (as a combo) than none! The other serums address individual skincare concerns that you may or may not have, so save your money when possible.

How impressive that a new beauty brand like Naturium started by a YouTube influencer, got Target to sell its products in such a short span of time! We all have brilliant ideas and dreams (just ask me!), but it takes luck, hard work, perseverance, connections and money to get them to market!💋👏

A head's up: The next blog will introduce you to another gemstone. Watch this space on Thursday!

You may also enjoy:

Jaclyn Smith's Anti-Aging Skin Care

Cosmeceutical Skin Care ... Say What?

The Ordinary Skincare Is Extraordinary

Simplifying My Daily Skincare Routine