GemStreet USA offers holiday shopping that’s budget-friendly yet big on bling

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Those searching for “that something different” in holiday gift giving will find it at the GemStreet USA Show & Sale, coming to the Indiana State Fairgrounds "Pioneer our Land" Building December 4-6. With custom-made jewelry, distinctive beads, one-of-a-kind fossils, crystals and minerals — you will find special gifts for friends and family.

Artists from around the country will offer the latest jewelry trends incorporating gold, silver, copper, gemstones, pearls, diamonds, intricate beadwork and wire wrapping. And if you want to make your own jewelry for gifting, you will find an array of beading supplies, tools and educational materials.

Terri McGill of Rabbit Hutch Beads in Dayton, Ohio, specializes in lampwork beads.With a background in fine jewelry, McGill makes jewelry that is more natural and organic-looking than traditional brightly colored beads. Her pieces are made with a subdued palate that mirrors color trends in the fashion industry. She says this winter looks are swinging back to black, with red/black, purple/black and purple/gray combinations seen throughout her collection.

Also being debuted in Indianapolis at the show is the Caprice Bracelet and Necklace System. Helene Kirzner, of Bead-Azzled, says the jewelry is very similar to Trollbeads and Pandora Beads, but sold at a fraction of the price. Women can build their own signature jewelry to suit any look with this patent-pending jewelry line that is based on a sterling silver snake chain bracelet and necklace. Made in the United States and Italy, beads and charms come in semi-precious stones such as garnet, citrine, blue topaz, amethyst and aquamarine, as well as colored Murano glass beads and Swarovski crystals with sterling silver grommets.

For the biggest impressions, Val & Frank Bennett of Crystal Connection will showcase Endless Diamonds. These earrings, pendants and rings feature a patented setting with no prongs on the inside diamonds, which are specially cut to hold seven diamonds together creating a bigger illusion. “It makes a 1 carat diamond look like 3 carats,” says Val Bennett. “A single diamond has 56 facets and with these seven diamonds set together there are 379 facets, so it really dances in the light.” In addition to jewelry, the Crystal Connection specializes in quartz crystals, amethyst geodes and metaphysical stones, and has a meditation bowl etched with dragons that would make a unique holiday gift.

Show hours are Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets are $7, $5 for seniors and students and free for children under 12 years old. Ticket is good all weekend. For more information on GemStreet USA, contact its organizer, Jane Strieter-Smith at 216-521-GEMS (4367) or visit www.gemstreetusa.com for a discount coupon for admission.

The Indiana State Fairgrounds is located at 1202 East 38th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46205.