SOLEDAD LOWE

It is said that the city of Gamla Stan, located on the island of Stadsholmen in Sweden, is one of the “best preserved medieval” cities in Europe.

The ominous architecture of cathedrals, cobbled streets and alleyways date back to the 1600s. Sweden is also the ancestral home of featured jewelry designer Soledad Lowe.

CAROL NORIEGA

North of Lima, Peru, near the Marañón River, stands the cultural remnants of the pre-Incan people known as the Chavín.

The archaeological site, called the Chavín de Huántar, holds the ruins and artifacts of this bygone civilization. Peru is also home to featured jewelry designer Carol Noriega.

DAVID McLEOD

The centuries-old Waitomo Caves of New Zealand consist of hundreds of caverns filled with limestone, stalagmites, stalactites, and labyrinthine caves. New Zealand is also home to featured jewelry designer David McLeod.

QUOTABLE GEMS - GROUCHO MARX

A hospital bed is a parked taxi with the meter running.

MARIA SAMORA

Located in New Mexico are a number of well-preserved 12th century Pueblo structures, known as the Aztec Ruins National Monument.  These structures were constructed by the ancient Puebloans, also known as the Anasazi people. New Mexico is also home to featured jewelry designer Maria Samora.