they are everywhere this time of year...leaves. in actuality, they are always everywhere but now is the time when leaves seem to dominate our world. they gather in piles on the ground. they become children's art projects. they lure sunday drivers onto country roads to view their colors. they clog up the gutters. while the leaves are having their yearly moment, we gather them up, press them, jump in their piles, admire their loveliness and curse their clutter. within this seasonal culture of ours, there is a popular sub-culture. a sub-culture in which leaves seem to be everywhere, regardless of the time of year. it is a sub-culture dominated by sparkle, shine and design. it is the world of jewelry. in the jewelry world, leaves do not passively hang from branches or lie on the ground. in the jewelry world, leaves have a tendency to stand up and speak for us. throughout history, leaves have encouraged our desire to wear jewelry as a form of expression. the need to express oneself has long been a motivation for us adorn our bodies. whether one wears a piece to express their own mind or gives a piece of jewelry to convey an emotion, jewelry is a vehicle for communication. pierced jewelry can represent a lifestyle choice. historically, jewelry has been a sign of mourning, wealth, marriage, religious beliefs and so many other things. for instance, think about the anchorwomen on the nightly news programs. have you noticed that many of them wear lively brooches on their conservative jackets and blouses? it's seems as if they are trying to assure us (and themselves) that a fun girl still exists behind the button-down exterior which delivering us the news of daily disasters. jewelry is also a way for all of us to say something to a single, special person. we all know about the promise ring, the graduation necklace or even the small piece for no reason other than to express caring and thoughtfulness. leaves work so well in jewelry because they say so many things. they are symbols for fertility, hope and growth. even better, there are just so very many different kinds of leaves each with their own meanings. laurel leaves have long represented heroism and scholarship. oak leaves are symbols of strength. some leaves, such as maples and clovers are used to represent regional places and cultural heritage. if you ever wonder which leaf will speak best, do a web search. you will most likely find what it means in minutes. leaves also have the ability to cross gender lines. men and women can wear them equally well. since leaves are such a popular motif, they can be found in all price ranges, styles and eras. so, as the holidays approach, you may find yourself unable to decide on a gift for someone or something special for yourself. just think about what you want to say and then... pick a leaf to say it for you.