Today's Blue Plate Specials ... So Fabulous

HSN's TS is a Jay King Mine Find Green Turquoise Sterling Silver "Mystic Mountain" Necklace and Earrings Set (with matching bracelet while supplies last). At $99, this is a deal, chickadees!!! I'm not even a big turquoise fan, but this color is rocking (yes, I know it's enhanced, what isn't these days?)

I applaud HSN--this is how you do a bargain. Jay did address the recent controversy (you can read about it here) during the midnight TS kick-off show. I'll talk about that in a separate post later. Go Jay!!!

QVC's TSV is a Kathleen Kirkwood Set of 2 Stretch Lace & Silk Camisoles. They look beautiful and the silk one is really made out of silk (what a concept). I love the full lining and the long length ... my muffin top needs to stay under wraps, y'all! Why are camisoles normally cut so short?

Those snappy doodles to hold in the bra straps are a great idea too. The reviews on her other products look good, so if you're in the market for some camisoles these are "so fabulous!" Don't you just love the captions under the picture? That came straight from the Q, I swear it wasn't my doing!

ShopNBC's OTV is a 14K Gold Emerald, Ruby or Sapphire & Diamond Pendant with Chain. $800?!?! I'm not feeling it. Wow. As Barbara Bixby said on QVC recently, I'd rather have a small, beautiful amethyst, than a big, ugly emerald. Amen, Sister Sledge!

Jay King Deal Find

Item: 301-213
Olive Jasper Sterling Silver Beaded 3-Strand 18-3/4" Necklace

I am so tempted by this ... normally priced $129.90, but now it's on clearance for $69.95 (with two flex pays too). And the reviews are through the roof. The one nay-sayer (there's always one, isn't there?) complained that it's too heavy. Umm ... unless you have a medical condition that weakens the neck, that's not a bad thing, lone negative reviewer person.

Jay King: Mine Find or Fake Find

Jay King will be appearing on HSN on Monday during their 24 Hour Silver Celebration and it looks like he even has the TS. I hope that they give him the opportunity to explain exactly what his highly controversial "stabilized block turquoise" really is.


Here are the definitions I found:

Stabilized or treated turquoise is treated with a plastic resin. Most nugget and some heishi products are made from real turquoise that has been stabilized. Stabilization allows genuine but lower-grade turquoise to be used in jewelry. Even when a stone has been stabilized, its color can be changed over time by pollution, soap, skin lotion and oil.

Block turquoise: A mixture of plastic resin and dyes that is produced in loaf-size blocks. This turquoise contains no actual rock of any sort. Block is used heavily for inlay, heishi and beads. It is sometimes mistakenly called "reconstituted."


So basically it has to be either stabilized or block, but it can NOT be both.

I hope this was simply an innocent error on the part of a product description writer and not an underhanded attempt to rip-off customers.

Please, please, please--for the sake of your reputation--address this issue!!!


Here's what Paul Deasy had to say about the controversy:

I must preface this by saying that I have not spoken to Jay King since I left HSN, and I am not familiar with what HSN is selling on the air as block turquoise. I find Jay to be a very reputable guy and I like him very much. That being said, the industry definition of "block turquoise" is not natural, but simulated turquoise using plastic or other materials that are not turquoise. If this in fact is what HSN is selling, they are obligated to disclose this information. I notice on their website that they describe the pieces as "stablized" block turquoise. Once again, I can't speak for them but stablized and block turquoise usually refer to two different things. Paul