Meet Garnet

This is garnet. Not what you were expecting, was it?

To be more accurate, this is one type of garnet. Blue garnet is one of the most recently discovered gemstones. It was discovered in the late 90s. Before its discovery, there was an old saying in our industry, "Garnet comes in every color except for blue." It was thought to be impossible for blue garnet to occur, but lo and behold, it exists.

Blue is the rarest color of garnet. In fact, it is so rare, most jewellers still don't know that it even exists, and cling to the "Garnet comes in every color except for blue" theory. Facts have proven those jewellers to be wrong. Blue garnet was discovered in Madagascar. Since its discovery, it has been found in other locations, including (And unsurprisingly), in Brazil, where just about every gemstone ever discovered can be excavated.

Due to its drastically low availability, you will likely never see a blue garnet in your lifetime, and especially not at any jewellery store. Gemstones of this rarity are always cut by the best lapidaries in the world, and are auctioned off to collectors for exorbitant amounts of money.

As you can see, this particular blue garnet does have some inclusions (Impurities or imperfections inside of the stone). That being said, it is still considered to be exceeding in quality. This is due to the fact that this gemstone is so rare, and the existence of a flawless specimen would be even rarer. This sentiment is carried over into other gemstones as well, such as emerald, for example, where a flawless stone is next to impossible to find.

Aside from being incredibly rare, blue garnet does have another feature. Just like alexandrite or zultanite (Again, 2 of some of the world's rarest gemstones), blue garnet is able to change color under certain lighting conditions. This phenomenon is known as a "color change stone," and the science behind it is not fully understood yet. Blue garnet changes from blue to purple. This color change is very similar that of Alexandrite, causing the 2 stones to be confused with each other often. Blue garnets, as rare as they are, are not as rare as the variants that don't change color.

There are a number of other rare garnets, though not as rare as blue. Tsavorite garnet is one such rarity, and displays a beautiful emerald green color. Uvarovite is another green color of garnet, but is rarer than tsavorite garnet. Other types of garnet include, but are not limited to: Almandine, spessartine, grossular, hessonite (AKA cinnamon stone), rhodolite, and pyrope.

Pyrope is the variant of garnet that most people are familiar with. This type is normally found in jewellery stores with a deep red appearance, however, it is available in black as well.

Garnet is one of the earliest gemstones used by ancient peoples. It can be found in the possession of almost every civilization in history. Garnet was often used in bead form, but was also utilized by the masters of inlay, the ancient Egyptians. Depending on the civilization, garnet was revered for its 'healing properties,' and as a form of goof luck charm, although modern day science has disproved these attributes. Garnet has even been used as a medium for stone carving. One of the most familiar types of stone carvings is that of Buddha. This historical figure has been idolized and captured in stone form for years, including in garnet form.

By Joseph Garabet

Levant Jewellery

Not Your Mother's Home Decor

            Located along the scenic waterfront in Amherstburg we found Pied-a-Terre Home Decor. This charming shop opened in July of 2013, but you wouldn't be able to tell by looking at it. This shop has nested into the downtown shopping strip like it has always been there, offering a stunning selection of home furnishings, accessories, and even custom orders.

           The owner's passion for decorating is evident in the ever changing displays inside the shop, the eye-catching window displays, and the unique feature items. Each new display shows different character, color palette and style. It gives the comfort of Old World Charm with a modern twist, with displays ranging from shabby chic to cozy country cottage to everyday elegance. So many items can be found within their walls that you are guaranteed not to come across in other local shops or shopping centers. Pied-a-Terre offers whimsical, unique and often one-of-a-kind items, from furniture right down to small details like light switches and drawer pulls. A combination of modern, handmade, vintage/antique, and refinished pieces gives this little shop a charm that is all it's own.

           Striving to meet your every need and to make your experience as satisfying as possible, they not only do custom pieces, but also offer workshops in refinishing home furnishings for the do-it-yourself decorators, allowing you to give your home that much more of your personal touch.

           Let Pied-a-Terre lend you a hand in turning your living space into your own personal sanctuary. Visit them at 258 Dalhousie Street, or check them out on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/#!/PiedATerreHomeDecor. This is one shop that you are sure to fall in love with.

 

Contributed by Melissa Piva - January - 2014

The Back Room Gallery - What it Was & What's to Come

           In late 2011 The Back Room Gallery Artists’ Co-op opened on Wyandotte Street in Windsor. A self proclaimed eclectic group of local artists, they gathered together to show and sell their work in a relaxed setting, offering mutual support while sharing the expense and work of operating a gallery as co-owners. Their name at the time stemmed from the fact that, prior to opening the Wyandotte space, they housed their works in the back room of the organizer’s jewellery store.
 
          At the end of last December the gallery closed the doors at the space they have called home for the last two years. Not to close for good, but to move just down the road to the bustling area of Walkerville. Re-opening in February, the gallery will now be operated under the name Walkerville Artists’ Co-op, and will be found at 1974 Wyandotte Street East (right next door to Border City Comics.)

          The new gallery space is luxurious, spacious, and a great backdrop for showcasing art. Presently they have pottery, paintings, photography, mixed media, upcycled clothing, jewellery, soy candles and dance instructors, but they are looking for a few new faces to add to the mix. If you are  an artist that may be interested in becoming a member, you can apply by sending 3 or more images of your work to chrisfordjewellery@gmail.com for their intake jury to look over. All new members are selected by a jury of existing members. All artwork must be original works.

           Hours of operation once the new space opens will be Wednesday-Saturday 10am-6pm. Make sure to stop in and check out their new space and browse the works of this talented collective. You won’t be disappointed. Check out their website at http://www.backroomgallery.ca/ for updates on the move and more information on their members.

Contributed by Melissa Piva - January - 2014

Your Company is Closing

You own your own business or you are top management of a company that is closing it's doors and laying off all it's workers.

One of your workers tells you he is putting in an offer to buy his wife the dream home she has always wanted.

Before they finalize the offer to purchase, he tells you he has heard rumours the company isn't doing  well and asks if it's true.  Knowing the company is closing - how would you answer him?

The Swiss myth

Switzerland has been revered for just about everything it has to offer. It is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. They are the creators of the finest chocolates. They invented the ever-popular and trustworthy Swiss Army Knife. However, they are most renowned for their luxurious watches. Who doesn't know the likes of Rolex, Omega, or, arguably the most expensive watch brand in the world, Patek Philippe? When it's Swiss, it's quality. Or so people believe...

Now, before you question that last line, please understand what I am trying to convey. I am not knocking the quality of Swiss products. To the contrary, I believe that the Swiss are the makers of some of the highest quality products that this world has to offer, timepieces included. What I would like to talk about is the perception that people have of the word "Quality." Allow me to explain.

Several years ago, back when I was still working at my father's shop, a most Swiss-enthusiastic woman came in. She wanted us to replace the battery in her Swiss Military watch; a very simple task. The steel backing was removed, followed by the removal of the plastic movement protector that some watches are known to be equipped with. The old battery was taken out, and a new one replaced it. The watch was then closed up.

Upon turning the watch over to examine the dial and look for hand movement, we noticed something. The hands did not move. This did not alarm us, as this is somewhat of an uncommon occurrence when it comes to replacing watch batteries, but it does happen (In fact, this is something that I see a LOT of in Fossil watches). It meant that something other than the battery had caused the watch to stop working. Something mechanical that we, as goldsmiths, are not capable of repairing, as it is outside of our field. This is why watchmakers exist.

We showed the watch to the client, informed her that a new battery has been installed, and that the watch is still not working. Now, in most cases, the client is very understanding, and knows that we have done everything on our part to remedy the situation. This one was not. Upon being told that the watch did not work, even with a new battery installed, and that it was in need of repair, she replied with, "That's impossible. This is a Swiss Military watch. It never needs repair." Suffice to say, this client has been misinformed, and that's putting it gently.

Before I continue, let me insert a tiny story. My father is the proud owner of a $5,000 Omega watch that he purchased approximately 10 years ago. That watch stopped working in the very same year that he purchased it. It cost him $350 to repair, and when it came back, it still did not work properly. It still kept time, but the seconds hand did not function normally. He decided to keep it the way it was instead of shelling out another $350. Omega is an ultra luxury watch, on the same level as Rolex. It is infinitely more prestigious than Swiss Military, which is an entry-level Swiss watch. But even that wasn't enough to escape malfunction.

Going back to the original story, this client was not impressed. We tried to alleviate the situation by making apparent to her a number of options, such as the watch's warranty which, if it wasn't expired, would entitle her to a repair, free of charge, due to the problem being a manufacturer's defect. We even gave her the name of a reputable watchmaker nearby in case the watch was no longer under warranty. Unfortunately, she would not budge from the idea in her mind that Swiss watches were invincible, and left unsatisfied.

Everyone needs to understand something. Everything in the world is prone to defect. There is not one single entity in existence that is invulnerable. Nothing is perfect, and nothing is 100%. No matter what something is, no matter where it comes from, and not matter what it is made out of, in due time, some components in the entity will degrade or become faulty. This is especially true for anything that contains moving parts. And here's a fun fact, a watch mechanism is called a "Movement," and its components are constantly moving, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, forever, up until something gives out. These are not my rules, these are the laws of physics.

I'm going to let you in on a little secret regarding the watch industry. Most of the watches in the world share the same, EXACT movement, across most makes and models. This means that you can open up an $800 Gucci watch, and find the same, literally, part-for-part movement that you would find in a $200 Guess watch. Doesn't that blow your mind? The only 2 differences would be the rest of the watch (Bracelet, case, etc) and the name. Oh, and you can't forget price, so 3 differences. Other than that, you might as well be wearing the same watch as your friend, and not either one would be better than the other. That being said, there are many exceptions to this. Some watches, normally the ultra luxury makes, and even certain models of mid-level watches, will have exclusive movements. Specialty movements, such as Seiko's Kinetic movement, or Citizen's Eco Drive movement, are also exempt from this, as are any other specialty movements that are the sole proprietary creations of a watch make, including Bulova's Motion Quartz movement. I could get into more detail, but then I would be putting a long story into an already long story. But just so you know, most fashion-type watches are notorious for this. It's not exactly a bad thing, per se, but it becomes unethical when one company, again, using Gucci just as an example, charges 4 times the amount of money for their watch than another fashion brand does,, such as Guess, while one of the 2 brands is regarded as luxury-type, and the other one isn't.

Some people have sworn by their $20 Timex watches, while others have sworn by their $6,000 Rado watches. Either one of these watches, or any other watch for that matter, is capable of wearing out. Paying more for a watch does not necessarily mean that it will never break down, paying less for a watch does not always mean that it is certain to break down, and vice versa. When you buy a $100,000 Rolex watch, you're paying for much more than just the gold casing and bracelet, the diamond bezel, or the finely-handcrafted and intricate movement. When you're buying a Rolex watch, you're buying a piece of history, a piece of reputation, and a piece of prestige that doesn't come with any Timex watch. In the end, every watch is going to tell you that it's 5 O'clock, no matter how much money you throw at it. If you can afford a Rolex watch and have your heart set on it, then by all means, I encourage your purchase. As for me, although it's not within my budget, I would like to wear an Omega one day, just like Mr. "Shaken, not stirred" does. One day...

By Joseph Garabet
Levant Jewellery

Vito Tocco Anal Cancer Foundation Annual Banquet

www.VitoToccoAnalCancerFoundation.com

Friday March 7, 2014

Ambassador Golf

1025 Sprucewood, LaSalle, Ont

Free wine tasting from Pelee Island Winery

Buffet Dinner

Cash Bar

Dancing

Silent Auction

For tickets, contact:  

Nancy DeSantis 519.991.4084

Nino Tocco 519.999.3274

Fina Serra 586.790.8000

Antonino's Original Pizza - Check out this deal!

Antonino's Original Pizza

… 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 … IT’S HERE!!
15% OFF NOW
25% OFF LATER—but only if EVERYBODY shares.

The wait is finally over. Get 15% OFF EVERYTHING on our entire menu with the opportunity to increase your discount, through the power of social media, to an astounding 25% OFF EVERYTHING.* We almost never discount our pizza so this is a really big deal for us and a big thank you to our loyal customers and Facebook followers. Thank you for your business. 

How does this deal work?
Bring in your mobile device, show us the digital coupon… get 15% OFF.
Or, right click on the coupon, print it out, bring it in… get 15% OFF.
Not on Facebook—we may not be able to give you a discount on your current purchase, but ask for a Facebook coupon... get 15% off on your next purchase.
BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE! 

*Share our post with your Facebook friends so they can take advantage of the savings too! 

Once our coupon post reaches 25,000 views—you’ve got until Super Bowl Sunday so get sharing

--YOU GET 25% OFF! Imagine… 25% off your ANTONINO’S SUPERBOWL SUNDAY FEAST!! 

Check out our Facebook page regularly to find out how close we are to our goal of reaching 25,000 views --remember, we’re all in this together!

Easy Easy Easy!!!

 Go to their page and 'Like' it

 Like & share the post with the coupon deal

 Show your coupon to redeem

Super deal!  Super easy!

Two locations to serve you:

Antonino's Original Pizza

4310 Howard Ave.

Windsor, Ontario

1695 Manning Road

Tecumseh, Ontario

Celebrating Robert Burns at Lord Amherst

Robbie Burns Day is a wonderful excuse to drink high test spirits, eat pub food and enjoy the company of other scotch hounds and on January 25th at Lord Amherst Public House in Amherstburg at 7:00 pm, you can do that in style.

For the low, low price of 40 Canadian Dollars, you can join local author & whisky connoisseur Nicholas V. Nedin while he hosts the second annual Robbie Burns night. There will be relaxed seated tasting with components of Single Malt Whisky education including its history and production. You will also learn how to taste whisky properly and of course the samples* will included whiskies from Bruichladdich, Glenmorangie, The Macallan, Talisker and more. Prizes, give-aways and maybe a few rounds single malt trivia may just break out.

If you’ve not been to The Lord Amherst Public House it is a charming old style pub in the downtown of Amherstburg. Just 25 minute outside of Windsor, Ontario. With a solid selection of single malt whisky, a great mixture of imported, domestic and craft beers on tap and some of the best pub food in Windsor and Essex County, the Lord Amherst is a great place to enjoy a few drinks or a great meal.
Tickets can be purchased for $40, on a first come first serve basis.**
 
If you are interested in attending please contact Nicholas:
Email: nnedin82@gmail.com
Mobile: 519-980-6638
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BrasiedBlue

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*The important part.
**While supplies last, last year they did well with numbers and they anticipate this year will be even better so time if of the essence.

The Pursuit of The ‘Previously Loved’ Possession

Pied-a-Terre Home Decor

      Some people enjoy the thrill of the hunt, uncovering a priceless piece at a bargain price. Some seek out the unique and eye-catching designs that are becoming obsolete as time ventures on. Some go in search of quality work. Some buy to resell. Some to salvage, refinish, re-purpose and recreate. Whatever the reason you are drawn to antiquing, the Windsor area has a plethora of items to catch your eye and your interest.

          Antique furniture and décor has a quality and appeal unmatched by any modern replica style that has made them quite sought after in recent years. The craftsmanship of vintage fixtures and furnishings have people on the hunt for the original treasures rather than spending their money on the modern recreations made to mirror these pieces from the past. From home furnishings, to jewellery, to knick-knacks, to clothing – the demand for items with past lives is on the rise.

          Whether you are a seasoned collector, furnishing a home, seeking out a specific accent piece, or just browsing what the days gone by have to offer, shopping antique stores has a mystery and excitement about it that cannot be beat. In an area so saturated with antiquing opportunity, it’s hard not to get caught up in the thrill of this modern day treasure hunt. But for those new to that hunt, we have mapped out the local stores, shops, nooks and attics that sell these timeless treasures, and have even included some tips from the experts themselves – the antique dealers.


Jones & Company

           Beginning on the bustling sidewalks on Wyandotte Street in Windsor, our first stop is a located in a shared building where you will find not one, but two charming and completely unique antique shops. The Vintage House, run by Lorian Taylor, is the epitome of Shabby Chic. This breathtaking little shop offers both sales and consignment, and is vastly stocked by previously loved items that are brought in from the downsizing company that Lorian is part of. The shop has a style and essence that is completely it’s own, and prices that anyone seeking a deal would love. The owner is simply as lovely as the items in her shop, and encourages buyers that are new to shopping resale to “look for pieces with potential. A layer of paint or some fresh fabric can add new life and personalize your purchases.”


          Just next door, across the shared front stoop, you will find yourself in the home of Tango & Magpie. A sensational shop stocked with an eclectic mix of antique, vintage and mid-century pieces. With a mix of home décor, furnishings, china, crystal, artwork and more, you are sure to find something you love within their walls. With years of experience under her belt, Sally, the owner of Tango & Magpie, says that furnishing a home from resale can actually run “less than ¼ of the price of furnishing straight from a run of the mill furniture store.” It also allows more room to personalize and be creative with your décor, and gives your home a more unique aspect. Her tip to buyers – “look for furniture with good bones. Structure is important, and vintage and antique furnishings have such quality structure and design.” 


Penny Jane's

          Continuing West on Wyandotte, you will find yourself in the much loved area of Walkerville, a favourite area of Windsor to locals and tourists alike. In the heart of Walkerville you can find Penny Jane’s Vintage & More, a shop whose collection of vintage attire and jewellery is not to be beat. This lovely little store is a must for anyone with a taste for vintage fashion. Within Penny Jane’s you will find a fabulous tribute to the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s from Aquarius Vintage. Offering a mix of wild and retro clothing and accessories that are sure to catch your eye, not to mention a name that will surely leave you humming a familiar tune while you shop. Steps down the street browse the beautiful home décor and one of a kind accent pieces at Timeless Treasures or Jones & Company.

          On to the town-like atmosphere of Ottawa Street. Ottawa Street is home to a cluster of antique shops that offer a wide range of items. Ruelland`s Antiques is both in quantity and square feet the largest antique shop in the area. With over 40 years in business, Ruelland`s is an unbelievable site to behold. From the outside in looks like any run of the mill resale shop (to be honest I kind of doubted it’s potential before I ventured in,) but once inside it leaves shoppers speechless. Artwork large and small lines the walls floor to ceiling, shelves of books fill the back corner of the shop just the same. This hidden gem offers a wide array both in product and in price range, and such wonderful services as free local delivery and layaway plans. (It worked for Sears!) The owner of the shop, Maurice Ruelland, expresses passion for his work that is contagious, expressing that “Art is meant to cause emotion,” and encouraging buyers that “when it comes to deciding on home décor and accent pieces the best instincts are their own, and to shop from the heart.”

           On the next block over you can step a bit further back in time at The Vintage Witch Shoppe. Vintage collectibles, antique home décor and furnishings give a Victorian feel to this cozy shop. Also on Ottawa you are likely to find a wide variety of ever changing items at Holland Consignment Shoppe & Auction House.

           If you are from the county or favour a scenic drive thru the country, consider setting out for the following destinations. The lovely town of LaSalle has a lot to offer the collector. For a place with a lot of history check out the Canadiana and Auto Museum on Laurier, or browse a vast collection of records, turntables and unique gifts at Vintage & Vinyl on Front Road.


Dusty Loft Antiques

          About half an hour outside of Windsor you will find yourself in the historic town of Amherstburg. For the historian, this may be a good time to stop and browse the waterfront, and surround yourself in the history of the war of 1812 with a visit to the museums and buildings of Fort Malden National Historic Site. While in Amherstburg, stop and buy a piece of history of your own at Dusty Loft Antiques. This charming antique shop houses a wide variety of previously loved items within a two level barn behind the owners’ home. This location is a known hot spot for local photographers seeking unique and trendy props, and with items for both the collector and the decorator, this spot is not one to overlook in your travels. Whatever the reason for your visit, owners Gene and Sherry are sure to be helpful, friendly, and a great source of tips, ideas and advice.

           If you venture right into town you will be able to browse two lovely shops unique in their own ways. Pied-a-Terre Home Décor on Dalhousie Street is an eye-catching mix of old, new, and refinished. So many chic one-of-a-kind pieces cover their walls and fill their displays. The décor feels just like home, and the displays are changed so often that even their regular customers are guaranteed to see new pieces every time they visit. From large home furnishings to the tiny details like light-switch covers and drawer pulls, they are sure to have something that suits your unique style. And across town on Sandwich Street you can find Re-Inspired Vintage. This shop recently moved to a larger location and is always packed full with a wide variety of antique and vintage furniture, home décor, linens, and even upcycled and re-purposed specialty pieces, such as tiered trays made from antique china plates and tea cups. Definitely a good spot to look for a wide array and style of pieces.


Re-Inspired Vintage

          Bringing our journey to an end along the Lake Erie Shoreline we have Harrow Antique & Collectible Centre on the main street in Harrow, a hot spot for local Bed & Breakfast owners seeking new and interesting pieces for their décor. And since we have you out this way, be sure to take some time to enjoy the scenic drive along the curves and bends of the county roads, and be sure to watch for signs directing you to this barn or that, as there are always seasonal antique sales spotting the area. Other good places to hunt for treasured finds are the local thrift shops, pawnshops, resale shops, yard sales, estate sales, and the occasional auction.

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On Wyandotte Street East in Windsor, ON:

1. The Vintage House
4667 Wyandotte Street East
Windsor, Ontario
519-944-9685

2. Tango & Magpie
4661 Wyandotte Street East
Windsor, Ontario
519-945-5889

3. Jones & Company
1755 Wyandotte Street East
Windsor, Ontario
519-252-6448

4. Timeless Treasures
1747 Wyandotte Street East
Windsor, Ontario
519-977-1042

5. Penny Jane`s Vintage & More
(home of Aquarius Vintage)
1585 Wyandotte Street East
Windsor, Ontario
519-971-8734

On Ottawa Street in Windsor, ON:

6. Ruelland’s Antiques
1686 Ottawa Street

Windsor, Ontario
519-253-6064
www.ruellandsantiques.com

7. The Vintage Witch Shoppe
1201 Ottawa Street
519-980-4823


8. Holland Consignment Shoppe & Auction House

1407 Ottawa Street
519-977-5200

                       

Essex County:

                                   

9. Canadiana & Auto Museum

995 Laurier

LaSalle, Ontario

519-734-7943

                                   

10. Vintage & Vinyl

891 Front Rd

519-980-SAVE

                          

11. Dusty Loft Antiques & Collectibles

5619 Concession 5 North

Amherstburg, ON

519-736-7645

                         

12. Pied-a-Terre Home Décor

258 Dalhousie Street

Amhersburg, On

519-713-9022

13. Re-Inspired Vintage

421 Sandwich Street

Amherstburg, On

519-981-0171

                                     

14. Harrow Antiques & Collectables

15 King Street West

Harrow, Ontario

519-995-4699









Contributed by Melissa Piva - January - 2014

Land & Sea Fest

The Land & Sea Fest
AN EVENING OF FUN, FARE, WINE & SONG. Plus you get to help a Windsor-Essex high school grad go to college!!!

***PLEASE NOTE: TICKET SALES END JANUARY 10.***

The Land & Sea Fest presented by Biz X magazine is a culinary delight sure to please all the senses with over 30 gourmet offerings on the menu from Cajun Gumbo, Hip of Beef, whole Roast suckling Pig, Scallops, Shrimp to an array of desserts. . . all created by St. Clair College Centre for the Arts Executive Chef Steve Meehan.

On the fun side of things, with your ticket you are also automatically entered into “60 Second Challenges” for THREE 60” FLAT SCREEN TV’s!!! These are fun games designed to get the crowd howling for each contestant! And then there's our “Boat Load of Prizes” raffle with $1000’s in cool stuff!!!

The Land & Sea Fest is in cooperation with St. Clair College, it is a new annual event that kicks off the Biz X Magazine Scholarship Initiative to encourage a next generation of journalists.

Each year a local area high school student will be entered into the St. Clair College Journalism program on full scholarship via the Biz X Magazine Scholarship Initiative. As a guest of the Land & Sea Fest, you are helping to make this happen!

Veronique Mandal, coordinator of the journalism program, says the scholarship will help students focus on school without concern for their financial obligations.

“The students who come into the journalism program have an inordinate workload,” said Mandal. “Any time that a student has an opportunity to come to school and actually concentrate on school and not have to work two or three jobs, which puts such a strain on them and prevents them from doing the quality work they’re capable of, is just a tremendous advantage for that student.”

DJ and dance floor production by BIG Time Presentations…so put on your dancing shoes!

January 18, 2014 Doors at 6 PM.
Price: $90 +HST

For corporate or group sales please contact
Jack Rosenberg
519-977-2199
jack@bizxmagazine.com