IN THIS ISSUE

Feature Designer - Alwand Vahan Pandora Party Gemstone Of the Month- Amethyst Valentines Romance Coveted Koser recipes Winner of the $50 Gift Certificate

Feature Designer - Alwand Vahan

The first moment I laid my eyes on Alwand Vahan's jewelry, I loved it. It is possibly the most sophisticated line of jewelry I have seen in years. Sacha was born in 1940. He graduated from the Paris design school “rue due louvre,” the same school where his father had won his medals years before. He designed for Hermes for a number of years before beginning his career in the US. After having worked for David Webb, and other important design firms, he started his own firm at 604 Fifth Avenue in 1968. He went on to design and manufacture for Cartiers, Bloomingdale's, Neiman Marcus, and others. Many celebrity women wear his designs including Bette Midler, Linda Evans, and Hillary Clinton.

Pandora Party

Thursday February 8, from 12:00 till 8:00 If you spend $50 or more on Pandora beads, you will receive a free Lotsa Love bead or Daisy bead. If you spend $100, you may choose a 14K and silver Queen Bee or the 14k Tipped Flower bead. Bring in a friend who is new to Pandora, and they will receive a 10$ credit toward a starter bracelet, as long as they purchase 3 beads. Please feel free to forward this magazine to friends who you know love Pandora, or might enjoy seeing it this hot jewelry trend that was featured on the front page of the Sunday Newspaper Living section! Hope to see you there!!

Gemstone Of the Month- Amethyst

Amethyst is the purple variety of the quartz family. Its name comes from the Greek, and means “not drunken.” It was long believed that Amethyst would protect the wearer from getting drunk. I haven't tried this myself; I am trusting the experts on this one. It is also thought that amethyst is helpful in overcoming addictions, and soothing various disorders including insomnia and headaches. To be referred to as amethyst, quartz must be purple; however, there are a wide variety of shades of purple amethyst available. You will see gems from baby-girl lavender to intense regal purple. Amethyst is a 7 on the Moh's scale for hardness; this means it is a very wearable stone and doesn't scratch easily. Amethyst is available from mines around the globe. Experts are able to distinguish from which region, and in some cases, which mine a particular specimen of amethyst originates. Amethyst will vary in color, shape of crystal, inclusions, and crystal formation giving hints as to where it's from. Stop in and enjoy our amethyst collection. Prices range from $115 to $4100. The featured item is “Majesty” from the Master IJO Jewelers collection. In the Lancaster Area it is only available here at Koser Jewelers. This beautiful necklace features .23 carats of diamonds, and a rectangular cushion-cut amethyst. “Majesty” is a fitting name for this incredible amethyst necklace, priced at $950.00. MENTION THIS AD AND RECEIVE 20% OFF ANY AMETHYST ITEM IN STOCK!!!!

Valentines Romance

I've been doing a little research on Valentine's Day. I have a lot of time on my hands. I found out that the average person does celebrate it. More people in the South than anywhere else, and people in the West spend by far the most on Valentine's gifts. California girls are so lucky! Most people spend around $100 on their significant other, and a small number of adults buy things for their children, and friends. I also found out that only 20% of people buy jewelry for Valentines Day. As my good friend says, “That's just wrong.” If you want to do something special for your sweetheart this Valentine's, come by Koser's. I promise we have many gift ideas under $100. Beautiful, romantic, Koser Jeweler's jewelry for you to give. Now the romantic in me has to tell you, what you spend is of little importance. The most important thing is to go out-of-your-way to say, “I love you.” Here are a few ideas: Get up before them and write a lipstick message on their mirror. Breakfast in bed. Draw a heart on their windshield in shaving cream. Dedicate a song to them on the radio. Write them a note, the week before, and put on the envelope, “Open February 14th.” Write them a silly poem, and sneak in their purse, briefcase or lunch.

Coveted Koser recipes

As you know we love great food, and sharing it with our friends! Here are two of our often requested recipes. Baked Onion Soup With Apple Cider 4 T Butter 4 large onions, thinly sliced   1 apple thinly sliced 2 cans condensed beef broth 2 cans water, 1 can apple cider 2 T sherry or other wine Croutons: I often use leftover french bread swiss cheese Combine butter and onions in a large pan. Cook over low heat until very tender, about 45 minutes. Stir occaisionally. Add broth, water, cider, and sherry.  Simmer slowly (covered) for 15- 20 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.  Ladle soup into oven proof bowls, top with crouton and cheese, and broil until cheese is bubbly. Salami Cornucopias Salami sliced paper thin, 1/2 to 3/4 pound 1 Lb. Cream Cheese 3 T chives chopped 3 T green onion finely chopped 3 T balck olives Soften cream cheese.  In food processor combine with herbs.  Cut salami in half. Roll individual pieces into cornucopias, and press edges to seal. The fat in the meat allows a nice seal to form.  Use a pastry bag, and pipe cream cheese mixture into cornucopias.  Be creative with the flavorings you add to the cream cheese, omit the things you don't like, and add what you do.  When I make these for ladies and men's night parties, I often make them with fewer herbs so that they will appeal to more people.  My mother has made these for parties since I was a child . Enjoy!!

Winner of the $50 Gift Certificate

OUR WINNER IS: Sharon Brubaker of Manheim