RESEARCH Head for your local library or heat up an Internet search engine! I can spend hours in my local library poring over books and books and more books. There are plenty of good jewelry reference books. Stop by your library or bookstore and check them out before buying. No sense in buying a book you will hardly use! If you choose library, bring your jewelry with you. You can also make copies of any pages you wish to take or check out book and bring it home. As with other research, libraries are extremely helpful. Searching on Internet is also a quick and easy way to get fast information. Some search terms to try are:

maker's mark vintage jewelry name of maker's mark you found on your piece decade i.e. "1930's jewelry" antique jewelry collectible costume jewelry

This will give you hours of research and hundreds of pages to sort. Look at anything relevant, look for similar pieces or styles. Visit online vintage jewelry shops. Look for forums where you may be able to post a picture and ask for identification help.

If you love to research like I do, this is right up your alley! It can take hours, days sometimes weeks to find out about a certain piece. As you go, you will gain more knowledge about old jewelry and hopefully you will be as enchanted as many other collectors and dealers. It's a fascinating world of "junky jewelry"!

We are always here to help you with your pieces, so feel free to send us an email if you have questions.

Junky Jewelry buys, sells and offers consignment options for vintage, antique and collectible costume jewelry. All their licenses are current in the state of FL. Receive Junky Jewelry updates and articles in their free newsletter by visiting www.junkyjewelry.com.

1. If my partner suddenly inherited a decent fortune what would they want to do?

2. What does my partner value most in life?

3. What are my partner's religious beliefs?

4. What does my partner worry about most?

5. What are my partner's 3 most favorite movies and rock groups?

6. Can my partner list relatives I like least?

7. Does my partner know who my best friends are?

8. Could your partner tell you in detail what his/her first reaction was to you when you met?

9. Can your partner tell you what you stress over most?

10. Is your partner your best friend?

The fall from friendship to disillusionment usually begins 2-3 years after marriage. Folks often are bewildered, saying, "What happened?" My wife and I can tell you from experience, both personal and professional, that a big part of what happens is what doesn't happen after that first year or two together. Once you feel you know all there is to know about your partner, conversations slow down and become more challenging. You stop asking questions, or you stop giving meaningful answers. This is when "work" of marriage begins. It takes effort and interest to continue to ask, even when you think you already know answer!

The great part is that you are not static, unchanging individuals. Your interests change as well as friendships; some friendships fade away and other new ones begin and flourish. New hobbies are discovered. Children may be added to make a family. Now center of relationship revolves around babies. Babies teach you things you could have never learned had they not come along. You experience a new level of sacrifice, sleep for one! And you discover how you thought about parenting may really be different than how you are actually doing it.

See, you are always in a state of growth. The same questions asked today may bring fresh responses as you each grow. Continue to build your relationship into one of best friendships you have. I may call it "work" but it's best work you can do for happiness of relationship.