A metaphor is a direct comparison between two unlike things:

Example: My husband is a jewel.

“She’s poetry in motion…” (Thomas Dolby)

The Nantahala Gorge is a black hole, sucking in the energy of unwary souls.

A simile is also a comparison between two unlike things; however, the writer uses “like” or “as” to connect the idea.

Example: My husband is like a jewel, more precious to me than the rarest diamond.

Her face was as smooth and cold as stone.

The Nantahala River is like a thief who steals the hearts of young men as though they were charms to add to her bracelet of rapids, eddies, and still pools. (This last has 2 similes-like a thief- and -as though they were charms-as well as one metaphor: her bracelet of… and personification: the river is a “she.”

Hope this helps.