Thanks to everybody who gave us input on the May cover. The comments you left pretty much mirrored our own discussions. The green necklace was "richer" looking, but the other version was very light and "springy" — something we can only dream about in Wisconsin. Both beautiful - so what to do? In the end, the green necklace won the cover derby. But there really are no losers, both versions of this beautiful necklace (designed by Carol McKinney) will be in the May issue.

So what exactly does a giant chunk of labradorite have to do with any of this? Nothing. But I've been asked a number of times what my favorite Tucson purchase was. I haven't decided if this is my absolute favorite yet, but it's in the top three - and it's definitely the heaviest. I bought this chunk of labradorite (about the size of a mango) from Norcross Madagascar, a Tucson-based manufacturer and distributor of gem, mineral and fossil products. It was a labradorite-lover's paradise. They had a labradorite CONFERENCE TABLE. I almost fainted.