Time moves slow on Crete. Days feel like weeks when you spend them floating and fishing off the pristine mediterranean beaches. You sleep well. You eat even better. One day at a seaside cafe I spotted a woman with an incredible necklace that deserved a second look. And a third. And a fourth.

On the way out I stopped to explain and apologize for staring. As it turned out, she was used to it. Underneath the sunglasses and straw hat, the lady was a bona fide Hollywood film star. Relieved that I wasn't a pestering fan, she was glad to show off the necklace and even revealed her source.

You can see what caught my eye. A magnificent strand of faceted blue chalcedony nuggets cascades into a dangling cluster of fat chalcedony pears, heart-shaped sardonyx and smoky lab-created topaz. Also linked to the 14K gold-filled chain are two .925 sterling silver coral branches that have been dipped in 18K gold. The matching earrings mimic the cluster with sparkling kernels of chalcedony, sardonyx, topaz and 18K gold-dipped, sterling silver coral. They dangle 2 ½" from French hooks.

When I told some friends the story they asked what it was like to meet her. "I've seen her movies," I said. "I prefer the necklace."