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Chamilia is a brand-new line of jewelry offered at Valle Jewelers in Batavia and it's creating some buzz among the clientele, says Maria Valle.

Fans of these beautiful baubles are booking private parties in the store so friends and family can ooh-and-aah at the many choices and, of course, add some to their own collection. The after-hours parties are for 15 or more guests -- and the hostess gets a special gift.

Think of Chamilia (as in chameleon) as a new kind of beaded charm bracelet - or necklace - available in sterling sliver, 14-K gold or a combination of them.

You choose the charms, either as symbolic of something special in your life or simply for color or style. Whatever you string together is sure to dazzle.

Making your own beaded jewelry is not new, of course, but Camilia has taken the idea to a new level of affordable sophistication and craftsmanship with a stunning selection of unique pieces.

Its creator, Killian Rieder, according to a brochure, was inspired to create a way for herself and all women to "hold onto friends, family memories and experiences in a meaningful way...every bracelet tells a story about the person wearing it."

Take Maria for example, who showed me the sterling silver pieces on her bracelet.

"This one is a little cake, because I like to bake cakes, this little baby shoe is because I'm a mom, these have my children's birthstones in them," she said.

It's exciting and fun to pore over the catalog and look at the jewelry in the display case. They are so detailed! Some have sparkling cubic zirconias. There are licensed Disney characters, too, like Nemo, Tinkerbell and A.A. Milne's classic Winnie-the-Pooh.

Genuine hand-blown Murano Glass from Murano, Italy, is featured in a kaleidoscopic array of bands. Some others are enameled or have colorful stones.

Here are just a few of the kinds of symbols offered: a camera, a gingerbread man, a ghost, vintage suitcase, puzzle piece, giraffe, tennis ball, football helmet, etc. There are ones that dangle, too.

Some beads aren't intended to be symbolic of anything, they're just pretty shapes and styles. There's also a variety of bead spacers, locks and connectors. In addition to bracelets and necklaces, there are drop chains (for making pendants) to choose from, and pink or gold leather.

Bracelets, which come in a variety chain lengths, start at $35, regardless of size. Bangle bracelets are also available. Silver charms start at $25.

If you'd like to get a group of friends together for a private, after-hours Chamilia party at Valle Jewelers (located at 21 Jackson St.) give them a call at 343-3372 or email at <valles@rochester.rr.com>. Hostesses get a gift!