A Pearl Necklace is the compelling true story of Mi Xue's struggles and victories strung together throughout life, weaving sorrows and joys, fear and faith to create a beautiful Masterpiece of inspiration that shines like a precious jewel even throughout the darkest times. As a first generation Chinese American, Mi Xue strives to counter alienation with achievement only to discover the inadequacy of her own self-sufficiency to overcome the challenges of her failing marriage. She begins a lifelong search for a purpose and power greater than herself to transform the trials of marriage, three children in three and a half years, an autistic firstborn, job losses, dysfunctional codependency, family-career tug-of-wars, and over twenty relocations in three continents. Mi Xue reaches beyond the depths of her Chinese roots and the heights of the American dream to find her most profound identity and fulfillment beyond herself, connecting you with the lost wanderer yearning to return home in each of us.

Whether you prefer a classic single strand or a funky combination of pearls and semi-precious materials, Simply Pearls shows you how to create necklaces that are easy to make yet look both expensive and professionally made. No longer the extravagance they used to be, pearls come in a variety of types - from freshwater to faux - that make these beautiful gems an affordable and elegant option. With projects designed for beginners and intermediate crafters - with a few more challenging designs for good measure - Simply Pearls is a volume that people will consult again and again for basic stringing, knotting and wire-work techniques; to find inspiration and project ideas, including tips on refreshing heirloom jewellery; and as a materials reference. Whether your look is modern and edgy or classic Chanel, Simply Pearls offers great how-to-wear-it ideas and beautiful projects that will give you the Tiffany s look at budget prices.

Soon after receiving a beautiful pearl necklace set as a wedding gift from her husband, the bride is found murdered! Even the pearls are found to be fake. So, who killed the innocent bride? Where are the real pearls? Excerpt: "Kitty Walsh had just been watching the marionettes. At first with keen amusement; but suddenly they had become not funny at all—instead, a sort of ghastly parody on life. They looked so incredibly alive, their actions seemed too intelligent, and yet they were only puppets that were dancing, and making love, and even committing murders with such energy and dash. She shot a glance at Ronald Mills beside her it had been his idea that in lieu of another dance they should watch the Show for a while. He caught her eye and followed her back into the ballroom."

From modest beginnings in Paris to predominance in the world of high fashion, the rise of the house of Cartier is comprehensively chronicled in this lavish volume. In the 1980s Cartier granted Hans Nadelhoffer exclusive access to its archives in order to write the definitive history. Long out of print, Nadelhoffer's exhaustive research has been revived with lush new photography and design sketches of the world's most distinctive and finely crafted jewelry. Through charming and compelling anecdotes, these famed gemsand the elite clientele who don themare brought to life. This fully illustrated account is the essential complement to any jewelry lover's collection, and will satisfy the longings of all those who covet this legendary brand.

The Case of the Two Pearl Necklaces, first published in 1936, is a classic British 'golden-age' murder mystery. The book, authored by A. E. Fielding (whose real identity remains itself somewhat of a mystery), features Scotland Yard's Chief Inspector Pointer who is called in to investigate a mysterious murder on a large estate. From the dustjacket: Arthur Walsh, son and heir of a very wealthy father, Colonel Walsh, shatters the complacent lives of his parents by his declared intention of marrying Violet Finch, daughter of “the notorious Mrs. Finch,” owner of several nightclubs. Arthur's wedding gift to Violet is two strings of very valuable pearls, said to have belonged to Queen Charlotte of Mexico and to have been sold because they brought bad luck to their owner. The pearls fully justify their evil reputation, for they bring sudden death, and present Chief-Inspector Pointer of Scotland Yard with one of the most baffling murder mysteries of his eminently successful career.