RACHEL BALL | ELEPHANTINE

14K Gold-Filled Wire & Faceted Gold Beads Libra Ring

At 114 years old Seattle, Washington’s Woodland Park Zoo has been a long-running fixture.

The award-winning zoological garden houses numerous exhibits including a Zoomazium (part zoo, part gymnasium) that serves as an “interactive play space” for children; the African Savanna exhibit with its model of an African village and live animals; and the hand-carved Woodland Park Zoo Carousel.

Seattle is also home to featured jewelry designer Rachel Ball.

JOAQUIN AND JOSEFINA

Model Wears .950 Silver Lush Foliage
Pendant Necklace

The municipality of Guanajuato, located in central Mexico, was named a World Heritage Site twenty-five years ago and for good reason.

Known for its silver mines, most notably the La Valenciana mine, during the pre-colonial period the city produced two-thirds of the world’s silver.  Mexico is also home to featured design team Joaquin and the late Josefina.

MUQLIZA IMRONI | SOU BRETTE

Seafoam Green & Black Resin Wisp
Pendant Necklace from Requiescence Collection

Located in East Java, Indonesia’s nature reserve, the Sea of Sand, the active volcano known as Mount Bromo looms at over 7,600 feet.

However its height does not set it apart from other peaks in the region; its popularity, however, does.  Mount Bromo is the top visited attraction in East Java.  Indonesia is also home to featured jewelry designer Muqliza Imroni.

CARMEN ANOCIBAR

.950 Silver Cradle of Love Rhondonite Cocktail Ring

Sharing the moniker of explorer Francisco Moreno, Argentina’s Perito Moreno Glacier is a 19-mile-long ice formation that forms an “ice field” with 48 adjoining glaciers.

The ice field is considered the “world’s third largest reserve of freshwater.”  Argentina is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Carmen Anocibar.

MERLE O'GRADY

Gold Plated Antique Brass Agate
Bombshell Ring with Spikes

Waterford has the distinction of being Ireland’s oldest city so there is plenty of interesting sights to see.  The metropolis’ city hall, Waterford City Hall, is a remarkable vision of stunning 18^th century architecture.

For those craving natural attractions you can relax on the beautiful golden sands of Dunmore East Beach.  Ireland is also home to featured jewelry designer Merle O’Grady.

SARAH HO | SHO

18K Yellow Gold V -Seal Feodora Ring with
Lemon Citrine & Pavé Yellow Sapphires
from V-Seal Collection

Opened to the public nearly twelve years ago, the Eden Project, located in Cornwall, England, is an ambitious attraction consisting of an array biomes.

Each biome serves different purposes that house various plant life.  England is also an ancestral home to featured jewelry designer Sarah Ho.

PALLADIUM | THE OTHER WHITE METAL

According to mgsrefining.com as of May 3, 2013 the price of gold topped out at $1,476.50 per ounce.  With gold prices rising since 2008 jewelers like Shirlee Grund (USA), Dominika Syczynska (Poland), and Karyn Chopik (Canada) work with alternative metals to great effect.  Sterling silver, titanium, bronze, copper and brass are breathtaking substitutes.

FRITZ CASUSE

Sterling Silver Turquoise & Peridot
Pendant with Pearl

Despite its controversial link to the military, New Mexico’s White Sands National Monument provides stunning natural visuals.

Situated within the mountain ranges of the Tularosa Basin are landscapes of beautiful white sands composed of gypsum crystals that remain cool to the touch during high temperatures.  New Mexico is also home to featured jewelry designer Fritz Casuse.

SOPHIE HONEYBOURNE | HONEYBOURNE JEWELLERY

Sterling Silver & Enamel Triple
Drop Earrings

The city of Newcastle (a/k/a Newcastle upon Tyne) is one of England’s most energetic attractions.

There are plenty of sights to see that include the Central Arcade, the Millennium Bridge, and Grainger Town which is touted as the “historic heart of the city.”  England is also home to featured jewelry designer Sophie Honeybourne.

KAREN KO | K2O

Sinpo, a port city located along the Sea of Japan’s coast in North Korea, is a largely rural area.  Living

Gold Plated Armor II Body Harness
from Glam Collection

amidst the terrain of sand and pines includes deer and rabbits.  Korea is also the ancestral home of featured jewelry designer Karen Ko.

JAN LOGAN JEWELLERY

9K Yellow Gold Drop Earrings
with Phosphosiderite

Up for a long journey?  Well there are good seats available on the Indian Pacific railway.

The 65-hour trip travels across three states of Australia including Perth, Adelaide and Canberra.  Australia is also home to featured jewelry designer Jan Logan.

YASUKO AZUMA JEWELRY

14K Gold Wire Wrapped Bell Drop Earrings
with Rubelite 

The unconventional Ghibli Museum, located in Mitaka, Japan, was designed to “entertain children through anime projects”.

The twelve-year old museum boasts maze-like interiors, special exhibitions, a reading room, and the Saturn Theatre.  Japan is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Yasuko Azuma.

OLIVIA SCHLEVOGT JEWELLERY

Sterling Silver, 18 and 22K White & Yellow Gold Necklaces
with Tourmaline and Diamonds

Destroyed by bombs in 1945 the Dresden Frauenkirch (a/k/a Church of our Lady) located in Dresden, Germany currently stands tall with a new dome, chapel, and seven new bells.  Germany is also home to featured jewelry designer Olivia Schlevogt.

KAREN BUDER | SUGARLIME

14K Gold Plated Violet Earrings

Canada’s Pacific Rim National Park Reserve consists of three regions with Long Beach being the most visited.

The sumptuous Long Beach area is peppered with over ninety campsites for eager campers.  Canada is also home to featured jewelry designer Karen Buder.

PARUL

Sterling Silver Moonstone & Emerald Illusion
Pendant Necklace

Along the Bay of Bengal that runs along the coast of India is the untouched beauty of coral reefs, sandy beaches, and translucent sea water.

The lush, tranquil scenery can be found amidst a chain of islands that make up the Andaman Islands.  India is also home to featured jewelry designer Parul.

NATASHA FAITH and SEMHAL ZEMIKAEL | LA DIOSA

18K Gold Vermeil Galena Sea Blue Chalcedony Earrings

The raw, natural beauty of the Murchison Falls National Park gives one pause.

Located in Uganda, Africa and situated along the pulsing Victoria Nile River, the area is populated with majestic wildlife including elephants and giraffes.

Africa is also the birthplace of featured jewelry design team Natasha Faith and Semhal Zemikael.

QUOTABLE GEMS | DREW BARRYMORE

If you're going to go through hell... I suggest you come back having learned something.