It's October and we've been watching huge leaves of garnet, copper, topaz, bronze—even a very few still clinging to the emerald hue of days gone by—flutter earthward. They bring to mind—what else?—fall fashion and its newest jeweled accessories.

Small wonder, too, since this season demands bright, bold, unabashed color. Splashing onto the shoulders, flashing from the fingers, wrapping around the wrists, moving into this holiday season, more is magnificent.

And almost everything you see in Fifth Avenue windows is also available—and more affordable—at your local jeweler for those of us who love the wear-it-every-day jewelry. Gather an armload of Autumn and put it on!

Jostled by the crowd, I caught a glint
of sun off my sterling cuff bracelet and,
for a moment, I was invincible.

Wide and wonderful, cuff-style bracelets draw the eye like magnets. Shaped to mimic the candor and caprice of nature, these accessories offer a generous canvas for design. Powerfully reminiscent of the amulets of ancient gods, these artful wonders look as terrific with your three-piece suit as they do against your knubbled sweater and blue jeans. The hottest styles are polished to a mirror shine, woven of intricate layers, or sparkle with brilliant glass, metal or gemstone beads. Whether you choose yours textured, hammered, rolled, or beaded, step lively and smile with confidence—you're going to be noticed.

Standing in line with my best friend, I felt a tap on my shoulder and whirled around, but it was only my earring vying for attention . . .

Long, light and rippling with texture, wide hoops and shoulder-dusters are sweeping out the old, making room for the new. Made from lightweight metals—to be comfortable from sunrise to moonrise—and strutting with gemstones, beadwork and anything-but-ordinary—long cascading earrings and saucy here-I-am hoops have pulled our focus from the neckline. Open weaving, layering and spaced-out strands let plenty of air—not to mention skin—peep through.

'If you have to ask, honey . . . ' I laughed out loud with Aunt Kate. Who had to ask, anyway? That our favorite baubles are fashionable again is just icing . . .

Substantial, outspoken and brilliant, this season's rings are not to be ignored. Silver, gold, platinum—all the rich, lustrous metals are set with glimmering gems that gather light from every corner of the room. Try a huge zirconia in a classic sterling setting and wear it with that little black number that wreaks such devastation on the opposition every time you wear it. Colorful stones such as topaz, sapphire, amethyst and smoky quartz provide a perfect touch to set off the fabrics and textures in this season's wardrobe. From a day at the office to a walk in the park through a night on the town . . .

Giant polished hoops cut from coral, lapis, carnelian and jade—I twirled one from every finger and . . . well, okay, they're not quite that big, but still . . .

For components, too, bold and insistent are the season's watchwords. Big, chunky beads strung onto chain—or better yet onto leather or satin—create interesting blends of high style and quirky confidence that command the attention of passersby. Substantial donut beads, cut from all manner of gemstones, can play the lead on simple pendants or can play understudy to contrasting or complementary beads and components. Toss your hair and admire your new look in the jeweler's window. Enjoy that little extra swing the perfect jewelry puts into your walk, and follow it right on into the store.