These days, if you've drooled over one piece of fine jewelry, you've drooled over them all.

Chandelier earrings, chunky chokers, charm necklaces, brooches, bangles. Sure, you keep buying them. But only because nothing more unique has come along.

Unless, that is, you've been tipped off about Karla Haugen's KH Jewelry Design. It's unlike anything else we've seen. Made from rich metals and lustrous gems, the pieces merge an antique feel (minus the cheesy museum-gift-shop vibe) with a modern sensibility.

Haugen has been making jewelry since taking silver-smithing in high school. Amongst a fashion-forward crowd, she has a cult-like following. She was making statement jewelry before there was such a concept. The creations are beautiful, opulent, and, yes, truly original.

And worth their weight in drool.

KH Jewelry Design, available Sat. at "Presence of the Holidays," a gift mart organized by Haugen, at Suburban World Theatre, 3022 Hennepin Av., Mpls., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Free with valet parking available for $7.

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