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wl iB onl WPand Shong Wns onl Snd SWd hP on tpong spond spons Shone t Whet Nn en C N CE Nn onl Yenl onl Yond Yonk onl onl Ved Coud Voul Vouk Loud THE RUSSIAN CZAR WOULD BE JEALOUS MADE BY NATURE OR MADE BY MAN? To those familiar with Russian Gemstones, besides Alexandrite, Russia has been synonyâ€" mous with the ultimate in species excellence. But of all Russian gems, it is Alexandrite that is the most coveted. The trouble is, that the mining of this gem in Russia lasted less than 100 years and probaâ€" bly peaked late in the 19th century. From the very begmmng Russian Alexandrite led a charmed life. Discovered in 1830 on â€" Czar Alexanders birthday, the stone was named after him because it‘s red and green colour change, were those of the motherland.. Alexandrite has primarily been a collector‘s item and an expensive one at that. Last year I wrote an article: about lab grown gems, with the emphasis on emeralds.. The same comâ€" pany "Chatham" that pioâ€" neered Lab grown emerâ€" alds, rubies and sapphires is again leading the way with Lab grown Alexandrite. It‘s chameleon like ability to change colour under difâ€" ferent lighting conditions has facinated people ever since it was first discovâ€" ered. Alexandrite has long been regarded as a symbol of good luck for conferring protection on its bearer. Chatham began experiâ€" menting back in 1975 with growing Alexandrite in Russia, but did not proceed with production until 1993 for â€" various _ reasons. Working in Russia is very difficult. Working in Siberia is crazy. Power availability, is at the whim of the local government. So are brown outs. Fuel for planes is available on a random basis. Day trips can take a week and food is not available there. Oh they have manned food stalls, just no food. The "reservation" system depends on how many rubles you offer (cans of tuna work well to). There is only one class of seating on the world renowned Aeroflot: Low Class! Even with all these probâ€" lems Chatham has finally solved the "mystery" of Alexandrite andâ€" brought this item to market. As with all Chatham Lab grown gemstones, the minâ€" eral and chemical properâ€" ties as well as hardness, specific gravity, refractive index etc. is identical to mined natural gemstones. Srigley‘s Fine Jewellery has been appointed as an agent for Chatham Lab grown gemstones and have a very nice selection of pieces including the new Alexandrite as well as a Oakville Legion, 136 Church St. sponâ€" sors Line Dancing, 7 to 10 p.m. upstairs, Normandy Room. Beginners welcome. Admission, $4. )"‘a-; UpPDaTE Looking for Work? Join Women‘s employment Network, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. when interview sills will be practised. Sponsored by Women‘s Information and Support Centre of Halton. Hopedale Mall, Suite 230. No cost. Information: 847â€"5520. Colleen Clarke, "networker extraordiâ€" naire" speaks, 7:30 p.m., Oakville Public Library. Presented by Haltonâ€"Peel Communications Association. HPCA is an association of independent business people working in a variety of communicaâ€" tionâ€"related professions. Classic bdysseys Networking Night, Armadillo Texas Grill,Cross Avenue. Information: 257â€"2733. Oakville Parent Child Centre presens Fun Dance with Barbara Tucker, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Kerr Street. Call 849â€"6366. 5 Peggy Wallace of Oakville Handweavers and Spinners Guild speaks on Northern Adventures, 7:30 p.m., Oakville Arts Council meeting room, 297 Lakeshore Rd. E. New members welcome. Presented by Oakville Handweavers and Spinners Guild. Information: Audrey Stretch, 823â€"9506. Auction for Action, presented by CAVEAT, Scottish Rite, Hamilton. Dinner followed by live and silent auctions. Evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with dinner at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, $40. CAVEAT was creâ€" Your Lingerie Specialty Shop priding ourselves on attention to detall, service and SPECIAL fittings. 94 George St., Town Square Downtown Oakville 845â€"8802 The Gwendolyn 8 (Continued from page 7) At Nesbitt Burns, we believe in high expectations. They bring out the best in all of us. It‘s why we welcome the opportunity to demonstrate what we can do to help fulfill your investment goals. Whether you‘re saving for retirement, seeking capital growth or funding a child‘s education â€"we can help. As Canada‘s largest investment firm, we can provide you with the most complete range of products and services to meet your needs. + RRSPs *Bonds * GICs + RRIFs * Stocks +Tâ€"Bills + Mutual Funds * Group RRSPs + Savings Bonds Find out how Nesbitt Burns can help you realize your financial goals. Call today to receive your free brochure Introducing Nesbitt Burns. Nesbitt Burns â€"Working in your best interests. xceeding expectations Call Craig Suttie, Investment Advisor (416) 359â€"4597 or 1â€"800â€"567â€"3006 KNOWLEDGE is POWER unig ated following the tragic murder of Nina de Villiers and its mission is to stop the growâ€" ing violence in our society. Call 632â€"1733. Auction Night at Glen Abbey Toastmasters, 7:30 p.m., St. Ignaitus of Loyola High School. Information: John Spaetzel, 847â€"1235 or Lmda Spudowski, §49â€"1035. Harmoniâ€"chords (Oakville Seniors Harmonica Band) practise, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Kerr Street Rec Centre, Kerr Street. Looking for new membersâ€"seniors or retired men or women harmonica players. Call Don Munroe, 827â€"5718: Business After Hours, presented by Chamber of Commerce, Wine and Cheese coâ€"hosted by Advance Electrical Services and Wachamacalit‘s Restaurant, 5 to 7 p.m. Cost: none to Chamber members and their employees. ‘Oakville Legion (Branch 114) ladies auxiliary Bazaar, 7 to 9 p.m., 136 Church St. Normandy Room. Oakville Bone Centre Lecture Series, 7:30 p.m., 331 Sheddon Ave. Dr. M. Moore on Pain Management. Information: 827â€"6750. Oakville African Violet Society meetâ€" ing, 7:30 p.m., General Wolfe High School, McCraney St. Trafdlgar Lodge Retirement Home White Elephant and Bake Sale, 2 to 4 p.m, 299 Randall St. Legal Aspects of Divorce with local lawyer, Karen Thompson, 7 p.m. Dropâ€"in (See update page 12)