IN THIS ISSUE

Feature Designer - Guy Laroche Tucson Gem Show Gemstone Of the Month - Aquamarine Upcoming Geminar! Brittany's Hope Foundation Coveted Koser recipes Winner of the $50 Gift Certificate Ginger Bread Winner

Feature Designer - Guy Laroche

The name, which is often synonymous with excellence in style and design brings a beautiful collection of colored gems, diamonds all available in 14K . The Guy Laroche stamp of excellence appears on each piece. Each season new pieces are added to our fabulous collection. Our look is stylish and classic. You will never tire of wearing these exquisite jewels. Koser Jewelers has several of Guy Laroche's collections: The Jewel Tone Collection, The Ruby Collection, and the Sapphire Collection. The prices range from several hundred to several thousand, and all exhibit the excellenc you expect from the Guy Laroche name. $50 off any item of Guy Laroche during March, Only if You Mention This Ad!

Tucson Gem Show

For a few weeks in late January, early February gem dealers, cutters, and designers from the world over descend on Tucson, AZ. I've been told by girl friends who inadvertently happened on the gem show that it's a good place to get lost, get burned, or both. Well I was lucky to spend 4 days shopping the 38 shows in and around Tucson. I made some incredible connections, and am so excited to share all the new gems, and great information that I gleaned. I hope you will join us for a fun evening looking and learning. If this date doesn't work for you, stop in, take a peek at the gems, or even schedule an appointment for a more private look.

Gemstone Of the Month - Aquamarine

If you wear aquamarine it says you are an independent soul, and you live life to the beat of a different drum. You are highly original, inventive, have a need to be free, and are resourceful and unique. Aquamarine is part of the Beryl Species. Other members of this group include Emerald and Morganite (pink). Aquamarine's hardness is a 7.5-8 on the Moh's scale, and it won't scratch too easily. It has an interesting play of light, which is explained by it's Refractive Index of 1.564 - 1.596. The coloring agent is iron. The density falls in the normal range; aqua has a density of 2.68 - 2.74. Aqua will not appear overly small or large for the weight. Aquamarine is most often found in Brazil, the Ural Mountains of Russia, Australia, and Burma/ Myanmar. Aquamarine got its name because it was believed to protect people as they enjoyed water. It has a relaxing color, and some who are drawn to it say it calms them when they are overburdened. I recently acquired some Nigerian Aquamarine, and was told by the cutter that the Nigerian goods can't ever be heated to alter the color, because their chemical make up won't tolerate heat. If untreated gems are important to you, you may wan to stop in and see these great colored aquas from Central Africa. We have many great aquamarine prices in the Koser Collection ranging from $200 to $2500.00. There are also bezel set birthstone pendants from $75.00. Mention this article and receive 20% off any aquamarine item in stock!

UPCOMING GEMINAR

You're Invited!! April 5, 2007 6:30 -8:00 Koser Jewelers, Main Street - Mount Joy What is a Geminar? A seminar about gems. A chance to view rare and unique gems. An evening at Koser looking at some one-of-kind gem finds at surprisingly good prices. A fun evening out with friends. A date. Prizes. Fun. Call or email us today to register. 717-653-4941 or koserjewelry@earthlink.net

Brittany's Hope Foundation

The story of the Brittany's Hope Foundation reveals a family turning heartache into love, and having the courage to do it again and again. It the story of a family who has personally adopted 8 children, and travels into foreign orphanages to seek out the neediest of children and brings them home. Brittany is the name of the only child this family ever adopted from the US, and who died tragically in 1999. Shortly before her death, she and Candace shared a cup of tea, and Brittany said "What would have happened to me, Mom, if you had not opened your heart to me? Where would I be today? Without your love I could never be the woman I am becoming. I dream of a world where all children know the peace and love only a family can provide." Brittany was so very right; every child deserves a loving home, regardless of disability, race or nationality. Brittany's dreams would end on that icy road, but one dream survived; the dream of "helping" abandoned international children lives on in the work of Brittany's Hope Foundation. Brittany's Hope was created in the summer of 1999 with the goals of educating and encouraging families to consider special needs international adoption. Creating the foundation has helped the family to heal; each new child renews God's sacred vow that life is valuable and precious. Please help us help these needy children by raising funds and awareness for the Brittany's Hope Foundation. There are special needs children in Asia, Vietnam, Korea, Latin America, the Caribean, Eastern Europe, and Ethiopia waiting to be adopted. There are families who would like to raise many of these children, but funds are needed to help. Koser Jewelers would like to donate 20% from every Faberge egg sold during the month of March. These would be awesome Easter gifts, and this old symbol (from the Russian Czars) of a new life in Christ, can help bring a new life to a child.

Coveted Koser recipes

In Honor of Our Trip to the Gem Show in Tucson, a couple of our favorite Tex/Mex Recipes…. Texican Salad (This is one of My Mother's Recipes. She has made it as long as I remember.) ½ to 1 bell pepper, sliced ½ red onion, sliced and divided into rings 2-3 tomatoes, coarsely chopped ½ to 1-cup ripe olives (sliced, or left whole) ½ head of romaine ¼ cup cilantro leaves Dressing: 1 clove garlic minced 1T ground cumin 1 T chili powder 1/3 cup veggie oil 2 T red wine vinegar Topping: 6 slices cooked bacon Crumbled tortilla chips Combine salad ingredients; mix dressing, toss, and top. A great salad- lots of flavor!!! You may want to cut back on the chili powder; I do if I am serving to kids, or whimpier friends….. Chicken Tortilla Soup (I see lots of variations of this, but it is good.) 8 skinned, boned chicken breasts, grilled ½ teaspoon salt 32 oz can of shopped tomatoes 5 14 ½ oz cans of chicken broth 4 14 ½ oz cans beef broth 2 large onions, peeled chopped 1 T veg oil 1 8oz can tomato sauce 2 chili peppers 1 T ground cumin 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 T chili powder ½ t ground red pepper ½ cup veggie oil 2 10oz packs of 6” tortillas cut in thin strips 1 bay leaf Toppings: avocado, chopped and shredded cheese Process tomatoes and onions in food processor until smooth, force through a wire mesh strainer into a bowl, discard solids. Stir in peppers and garlic. Add 1/3 tortillas and next 8 ingredients to tomato mixture. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer 30 minutes and add chopped chicken. (This is the part you can make ahead and refrigerate, or freeze longer.) Put ½ cup oil in skillet, flash fry remaining tortillas. Warm soup, top with tortillas, avocado, cheese, and if you are really decadent sour cream!

Winner of the $50 Gift Certificate

OUR WINNER IS: Richard and Karen Keener

Ginger Bread Winner

Winner of the $500 Koser Scholarship is Mattew Jones of Solanco. Also pictured Tracie Gotshall, LCCTI Instructor, and Betsy Wolgemuth, G.G.