"Now is the time to plan ahead so your special things and heirlooms will be a gift, not a burden to your heirs." Quoted from "The Myth of the Million-Dollar Dishrag, An Effective and Powerful Plan to Avoid a Family Inheritance Battle After You Die" by Susan Eisen. When your are writing your will, doing financial or estate planning, that is the time to decide on who will inherit what. Every home in El Paso has family heirlooms in art, jewelry, coins, or collections, whether they are valuable or not, because the sentimental value of things you grew up with become very important in your memories.

Music Friday: In the oft-quoted first two lines of his 1996 hit, “Walls,” rock legend Tom Petty defines the essence of everyday life with this brilliant, yet simple, phrase: “Some days are diamonds / Some days are rocks.” Enjoy a live performance of "Walls" and learn more about the classic song at our daily blog. Click link, LIKE and SHARE. http://susaneisen.thejewelerblog.com/

Music Friday: Donovan Offers to ‘Make Like a Turtle and Dive for Your Pearls in the Sea’ in the Psychedelic ‘Sunshine Superman’

Scottish psychedelic singer-songwriter Donovan stars in today’s Music Friday feature with his #1 hit, “Sunshine Superman.” In this 1966 love song dedicated to his future wife, Linda Lawrence, Donovan offers to “make like a turtle and dive for your pearls in the sea,” while also bragging that “Superman and Green Lantern ain't got a-nothin' on me.”

Donovan told Billboard magazine that he was traveling in Greece at the time of the song’s release in July 1966 and had only three quid (about $5) in his pocket. His manager called him and insisted that he fly back to London right away because the song had just released and it was #1 all over the world.

“Sunshine Superman” reached the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and #2 in Great Britain. The song is considered one of the classics of the Sixties and continues to be Donovan’s signature song (his web site leads off with a snippet at http://donovan.ie).

"Sunshine Superman" is also one of the first examples of a music genre that would be known at psychedelia. The term “sunshine” was a street name for the hallucinogen LSD.

A little known fact about the song is that legendary guitarist and Led Zeppelin founder Jimmy Page played lead guitar on on the track. At the time, Page was a session musician.

Donovan, who was born Donovan Philips Leitch, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame this year.

He’s been married to Lawrence since 1970, and is actively touring at 68 years old. You can catch his act on August 16 if you happen to be in Randers, Denmark.

We hope you enjoy the video of Donovan’s “trippy” long version of “Sunshine Superman.” The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along.

"Sunshine Superman"
Written and performed by Donovan.

Sunshine came softly a-through my a-window today
Could've tripped out easy a-but I've a-changed my ways
It'll take time, I know it but in a while
You're gonna be mine, I know it, we'll do it in style
'Cause I made my mind up you're going to be mine

I'll tell you right now
Any trick in the book a-now, baby, all that I can find

Superman or Green Lantern ain't got a-nothin' on me
I can make like a turtle and dive for your pearls in the sea
A-you can just sit there while thinking on your velvet throne
'Bout all the rainbows a-you can a-have for your own
'Cause I made my mind up you're going to be mine

I'll tell you right now
Any trick in the book a-now, baby, all that I can find

Everybody's hustlin' a-just to have a little scene
When I say we'll be cool, I think that you know what I mean
We stood on a beach at sunset, do you remember when?
I know a beach where, baby, a-it never ends
When you've made your mind up forever to be mine
Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm

I'll pick up your hand and slowly blow your little mind
'Cause I made my mind up you're going to be mine
I'll tell you right now
Any trick in the book a-now, baby, that I can find

Superman or Green Lantern ain't got a-nothin' on me
I can make like a turtle and dive for your pearls in the sea, yep
A-you you you can just sit there while thinking on your velvet throne
'Bout all the rainbows a-you can a-have for your own
When you’ve made your mind up, forever to be mine

I'll pick up your hand and slowly blow your little mind
When you’ve made your mind up, forever to be mine
I’ll pick up your hand
I’ll pick up your hand and slowly blow your little mind

Today's tip: Treat your jewelry just like your clothes, have them cleaned at Susan Eisen in El Paso or clean them yourself very often so they will sparkle and give you great joy. Diamonds need to be cleaned by an expert to remove the dirt and they should also be appraised and listed on your insurance policy.

Chupa Chups candy lovers in 150 countries were thrilled when the confectionery company announced that it had released five 50-carat precious stone “lollipops” into worldwide distribution. They were a piece of art! Excitement turned to disappointment when the promotion was exposed as an April Fools' Day hoax. A good appraisal by Master Gemologist Appraiser would have found that out pretty quick! Much more at our blog. Click link, LIKE and SHARE. http://susaneisen.thejewelerblog.com/

A study by the National Marriage Project found that couples who devote time for one another at least once a week are more likely to enjoy a better relationship and a lower divorce rate! Engagements are just the beginning. Ever thought of a private date night at Susan Eisen Fine Jewelry and Watches in El Paso? You can custom design your own ring, watch while it is being appraised by an expert, and then take it home with you right here in El Paso. For more details send us a message.

It's not the jewelry you have that counts, it's the memories of who gave them to you or who they belonged to that matters! I hear stories everyday from my customers about how special their jewelry is to them! Doing jewelry appraisals on watches and gems in El Paso allows me to understand the deep sentiment behind the jewelry that is brought in. I hear about it too when clients bring in their art for appraisals that has belonged to their parents and been in their house growing up. This business is wonderful and so are all my customers!

Music Friday: Patience looked like a diamond ring in OneRepublic’s 2007 power ballad, "Someone to Save You." In this song about a destructive relationship, lead singer Ryan Tedder is making a desperate attempt to pull his friend from the depths of depression before it’s too late. Video and backstory at our blog. Click link. http://susaneisen.thejewelerblog.com/

On New York City’s tony Upper East Side, celebrity dentist Dr. Emanuel Layliev exfoliates his patient’s teeth with real diamond dust in an exclusive pre-treatment that makes his whitening services more effective. Learn more about the treatment and find out how much it costs at our daily blog. Click link. http://susaneisen.thejewelerblog.com/

Three highly important necklaces — dubbed the “Tremendous Trio” because of their phenomenal proportions — will headline Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite Spring Sale in Hong Kong. Among the trio is “The Red Emperor,” a necklace set with 60 pigeon’s blood rubies weighing 104.51 carats. Estimated price: $11M. See the rest of the trio at our blog. Click link. http://susaneisen.thejewelerblog.com/

Two rare and exquisite papal treasures — an emerald-and-diamond cross and a ruby-and-diamond ring — have hit the market with a combined price tag of $1.9 million. The jewelry was famously gifted by Pope Paul VI to the United Nations in 1965. Subsequent owners included daredevil Evel Knievel. Full story at our blog. http://susaneisen.thejewelerblog.com/

We hear many fabulous stories about engagements from our customers. This one happened at the top of the Franklin Mountains, where the whole family hiked up to celebrate. He got down on his knee right on the rocks and asked her to marry him. Thank you for sending this picture to us and congratulations to you both!

Music Friday... Bruce Springsteen returns to our blog with a live performance of “Ain’t Got You.” In the song, The Boss details all the treasures he’s amassed, including “the fortunes of heaven in diamonds and gold,” but admits that he’ll never be satisfied because he “ain’t got you.” Find out why band member Steven Van Zandt hated the lyrics. http://susaneisen.thejewelerblog.com/

GIA Foils Janitor’s Attempt to Keep a $250K 10-Carat Yellow Diamond Ring He Pocketed While Cleaning Red Carpet at the Golden Globes

The Gemological Institute of America has foiled an attempt by Golden Globes janitor Henry Bernal to keep a 10.62-carat yellow diamond ring he pocketed while cleaning the Red Carpet after the star-studded event in January.

The ring, which was lost by jewelry designer Lorraine Schwartz and is reportedly worth $250,000, slipped off during the pre-show Red Carpet festivities.

According to TMZ, instead of going to authorities with his find, Bernal decided to give the diamond ring to his girlfriend, Christina Gonzalez.

Curious to know the ring’s value, they took the show-stopping bauble to a local jeweler, who offered to buy it. The couple decided to get a formal evaluation of the stone from the Gemological Institute of America, and this is where their plan to keep the ring unraveled.

The world's foremost authority on diamonds, colored stones, and pearls contacted police after discovering that the 10-plus-carat diamond was already laser-inscribed and documented with a grading report by the GIA. The inscription included GIA’s logo and the serial number of the grading report.

Microscopic inscriptions are often etched as a security measure onto the girdle of better-quality diamonds of one carat or larger. The girdle is the thin facet on the widest part of the diamond, which separates the crown and the pavilion.

The inscriptions are not visible to the naked eye and have no negative effect on the quality or clarity of the diamond. The telltale inscription was obviously missed by Bernal and Gonzalez.

Now Bernal is facing a criminal investigation for failing to report his discovery to local authorities. He allegedly told police that he didn't turn the ring in because he doesn't trust law enforcement.

Schwartz, who has created engagement rings for A-listers, such as Beyonce and Kim Kardashian, originally told police that someone might have slipped the ring off her finger without her realizing it.

Now, legal documents obtained by TMZ make it clear that the ring slipped off by accident, and that Bernal just happened upon it while cleaning the carpet.

TMZ reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles Police Department and Beverly Hills Police Department are all on the case.

Welcome to Music Friday. Today, we feature the Beatles performing their chart-topping hit, “I Feel Fine.” In the joyful 1964 tune, the Fab Four sing, “Her baby buys her things, you know / He buys her diamond rings, you know / She said so / She's in love with me and I feel fine.” Read our blog to find out how a studio error made this song extra special. http://susaneisen.thejewelerblog.com/

If you love aquamarine, this one has a fabulous color and is perfect for a March birthday! Come on by and see how it looks on your finger!

Pablo Picasso is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential artists of the 20th century, and some of his work ranks among the most expensive paintings in the world with price tags exceeding $100 million. But next Tuesday, you could scoop up an original Picasso at a Boston auction house for about $20,000. Here’s how... http://susaneisen.thejewelerblog.com/

You don't have to be a multimillionaire to own your own pink diamond! Come in today and we can show you a great selection.

While walking a trail on their property in Northern California, a couple happened upon a rusty can that was partly sticking out of the ground. What they discovered is now being called the “greatest buried treasure ever unearthed in the United States” — a trove of 1,427 gold coins from the Gold Rush era estimated to be worth more than $10M. Please click link, LIKE and SHARE. http://susaneisen.thejewelerblog.com/

A tiny zircon crystal that scientists say is 4.4 billion years old may help unlock the mysteries of how the Earth first formed. Discovered in Western Australia’s remote Jack Hills region and barely the size of a grain of sand, the zircon is being touted as the oldest known material on Earth. Please click link, LIKE and SHARE. http://susaneisen.thejewelerblog.com/

Imagine a piece of high-tech jewelry that could instantly alert your “protective circle” of a potential emergency while transmitting a map of your exact location. Learn more about this breakthrough wearable technology at our blog. Please click link, LIKE and SHARE. http://susaneisen.thejewelerblog.com/

You might think we are a conservative jewelry store, but being that I'm an artist first I love challenges and interesting assignments. I've designed gold and diamond belly button rings, gold and diamond grills and all kinds of diamond pierced products that I don't know where they put them (and I didn't ask!). If you have any special requests comment below and I'll get back to you!

This is what a fabulous piece of art looks like from a rough stone to a hand carved masterpiece. Come into the store today to see this beauty in person!

Looking like a slightly twisted modern-day Cleopatra, pop star Katy Perry flashes an outrageous bejeweled smile and seductive wink in the teaser for “Dark Horse,” her highly anticipated music video that releases tomorrow. More at our blog. Please click link, LIKE and SHARE. http://susaneisen.blogspot.com/

Victorian-Era Baby Names Inspired by Gemstones Are Back in Style; Here Are the Current Top 5

Last year, the most popular baby names in the U.S. were Noah, Liam and Jacob for boys, and Sophia, Emma and Olivia for girls. With traditional names making a comeback, expecting parents are taking a closer look at the Victorian-era names associated with precious stones.

At the beginning of the 20th century, it was not unusual for a one-room schoolhouse to be filled with young ladies named Pearl, Opal, Coral and Beryl. Parents believed that children named for precious stones would be anointed with luck and prosperity.

Now, more than 100 years later, five gem-inspired names are ranked in the Social Security Administration’s official list of the Top 1000 Baby Names.

Here’s a countdown of the top five, along with their symbolic meaning and comparative rankings from five years earlier…

5. Diamond. Famous for its strength, clarity and brilliance, diamond is the hardest substance known to man and the birthstone for the month of April. As a girl’s name, Diamond ranked #712 in 2013, down from #446 in 2008.

4. Pearl. Said to symbolize the purity, generosity, integrity and loyalty of its wearer, Pearl was one of the top girl’s names in 1880. It slowly faded from favor over the next 100 years, but resurfaced recently. Pearl ranked #677 in 2013 and did not make the Top 1000 chart in 2008. Maya Rudolph named her daughter Pearl Minnie Anderson in 2005.

3. Amber. This beautiful deep yellow gemstone is made from fossilized tree resin. It was also a marginally popular girl’s name in the late 1800s (ranking between 800 and 1000). Then, it zoomed to the very top of the list in 1980 and has fallen off only a bit over the past 34 years. Amber ranked #288 in 2013, down from #165 five years earlier. Johnny Depp's fiancée is Amber Heard.

2. Jade. This deep green gemstone, which is revered in the Orient for its mystical and healing properties, arrived on the U.S. top names chart in 1980 and has been in the Top 200 since 1992. In 2013, it ranked #126, up slightly from #130 in 2008. Jada, a slight variation of the name, was also highly ranked at #248. TV chef Giada De Laurentiis named her daughter Jade in 2008. Giada is the Italian word for Jade.

And our top-rated gem name is…

1. Ruby. Fiery and captivating, the rich red ruby is known as the stone of nobility and is considered a symbol of passion and power. For the past 134 years, the name Ruby has never placed lower than #400. It was near the top of the list in 1910, reached its low point in 1980 and has been making a rapid ascent ever since. Rated #93 in 2013, Ruby moved up 20 places over the past five years. Toby Maguire named his daughter Ruby in 2006 and today it stands as the most popular gemstone-inspired name.

In addition to the top five gemstone names, here are some unranked names for your consideration: Amethyst, Beryl, Garnet, Emerald, Coral, Sapphire, Opal, Peridot, Onyx and Topaz.

Gem photos: Ruby, jade, pearl and diamond by Stuller.com.
Gem photo: Amber (unattributed)

Nine-Year-Old Girl Finds Real Diamond Wedding Band in a Snack Bag of Goldfish Crackers

When a kid pulls open a snack bag of Pepperidge Farm’s Goldfish crackers, all she expects to find are delicious cheese-flavored morsels in the shape of smiling tiny fish.

Unlike Cracker Jacks, which has distributed more than 23 billion prizes — including rings — over the past 101 years, Pepperidge Farm's Goldfish brand had never given away a single ring over its 52-year history.

All that changed last week when a nine-year-old in South Carolina discovered a real diamond wedding band swimming with the fish crackers.

"I opened up [the bag] and I asked my mom, 'Is there supposed to be a ring in here?'" adorable Peyton Postol of Boiling Springs, S.C., told CBS affiliate WSPA.

"I took one look and then I took a double take. Sure enough it was a real ring," Peyton’s mom, Stephanie, told ABC 4 Utah.

Both surprised and outraged, Stephanie Postol wondered how a ring could have gotten into her daughter’s snack. It was presumed that a worker at a plant in Colorado or Utah, where Goldfish crackers are manufactured, may have lost the jewelry.

A spokesperson for Pepperidge Farm said the company is taking this incident very seriously. “We have in place a number of processes to avoid something like this from happening," Anna Burr told ABC 4 Utah.

Pepperidge Farm has asked the Postols to return the ring and the pack of Goldfish in which it was found so the company might determine how the jewelry got through its quality-control system, which includes a sensitive metal detector.

A tour of the Pepperidge Farm plant in Utah would reveal a mammoth operation that produces 3,000 Goldfish every second and more than 60 million pounds of the product each year. Line workers wear hairnets and gloves — and are prohibited from wearing jewelry — so it’s hard to figure how a ring could have slipped into the packaging.

Goldfish is the third-most-popular cracker brand in the U.S., just behind Nabisco Ritz crackers and Sunshine Cheez-It crackers. In 2012, Goldfish boasted $423.4 million in sales.