The holiday season is almost here and that's when many couples begin scouting for the perfect engagement and wedding rings. And with the horizon of 2010 only a few weeks away, it's a great time to create something new for yourself or a loved one.

A world of dazzling possibilities beckons at Valle Jewelers this week during its semi-annual remounting and custom-design event. It takes place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, and from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7.

Enjoy a personal consultation with the store's own custom-design specialist, Mark Berman of Manhattan, who will be there to help you design a special piece or re-craft something you already own. Make something old look new!

Berman will showcase his entire line of Icon Creations, with hundreds of bridal sets to choose from. Free financing is available to qualified buyers.

"He's just incredibly talented -- you tell him what you want and the next thing you know, it's on a piece of paper," Maria Valle said, noting that he uses computer-aided design software to bring ideas to life.

For happy couples who are no longer happy or a couple, Valle has some advice.

"Diamonds left over from love gone wrong are still good diamonds," she said. "You earned them. Reset them and enjoy them."

All fine jewelry needs proper care to ensure its durability and beauty for years to come. With jewelry, it's especially wise to be proactive. This would be a good time to have those gem stones sitting precariously amid your ring's worn-down prongs to be remounted or put into a stylish, new setting.

A lady at my optometrist's office admired my wedding ring one afternoon, which had been on my finger for many years.

"You ought to have a jeweler look at," she suggested.

She was right. I kept thinking "I'll get around to it, but I don't have time now," only to look down one day not long afterward to see a gaping hole where a one-carat diamond used to be.

Walk-in consultations are, as always, welcome, but people wishing to talk with Mark Berman about a design idea, can also make an appointment by calling 343-3372.

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.