Every visitor to New York should check out the rocks on 5th Ave.
The Tiffany & Co flagship store on 5th Ave, at 57th street, and made famous by Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" - is definitely worth a visit.
Like most women, I love beautiful jewelry, and the sparklers in the window cases here need to be seen to be believed. While you're in the neighborhood, check out the Cartier store; Harry Winston; Bulgari too. Tick them off your list.
Then jump in a cab and travel some 20 blocks further South.
At 5th Ave between 36th and 37th street, is a gem store that is by far and away more interesting, and one of New York's best kept secrets...
Astro Gallery of Gems has incredible natural rocks; fossils; gem stones and minerals - raw and uncut - mined straight from the Earth.
What do you buy the friend who has everything? How about a 4 million year old fossil? Or a dinosaur skeletal foot? A giant glistening purple amethyst or a lump of gold pyrite the size of a small dog?
And it's not just treasures from this planet that can be bought there either...
How about a gift that is literally out of this world?
How about a meteor?
Here is one, about the size of a large loaf of bread, and it's yours for only $18,000.
The store is third generation owned and operated, and caters to the general enthusiast, as well as the serious collector.
I am told that contained within the safe, hidden from public view in the owner's basement offices, are even more spectacular raw gems and uncut minerals which are sold to the super rich and traded like investments.
The pieces on display are museum quality, but entry is free, and everyone is welcome to browse.
Trust me. Go there. You'll be amazed.
