Tourmaline
A gemstone as versatile and changeable as the month it represents, tourmaline acts as a powerful reminder that balance can be found in conflict, beauty can be multi-faceted, and that strength can come in many forms.
From rich reds to pastel pinks and peach colours, intense emeralds to vivid yellows and deep blues, the breadth of this gemstone's colour is unmatched. And it's not just aesthetically impressive, but scientifically too...
Sapphire
Known to Christians as the ‘Stone of Destiny’, believed by the Persians to be the reason why the sky is blue, and cherished by royalty from Charlemagne to Queen Elizabeth II, it seems the sapphire is a gemstone full to the brim with significance that that endures both in historical lore and contemporary symbolism.
And if science is more your bag, we’ve got plenty of that to explore too…
Emerald
“No matter what anyone says or does, my task is to be emerald, my colour undiminished.”
Traced all the way back to 4000 BC where they were traded in the markets of Babylon, the emerald is a gemstone full of science, history, and (we’d argue most importantly) legend. Adored by Cleopatra, treasured by the Spaniards discovering the New World, and credited with inspiring quite possibly the most iconic gem cut there is, there’s a whole lot that we don’t know about these these little natural beauties. Let’s learn more together…
Pearl
First documented by Chinese historians in 2206 BC, pearls have captivated humanity for thousands of years with their natural perfection and beauty. Relished by royalty from Cleopatra to Queen Victoria, these glorious little wonders of nature are unique in the respect that they are created by a living organism, rather than formed beneath the earth’s surface. However, just like other treasured gemstones, pearls are filled with science, history and curious lore which you can explore with us here...
Aquamarine
The March birthstone derives its name from two Latin words: aqua, meaning 'water', and marina meaning 'of the sea'. The Romas believed these prized bright blue-green gems were the work of Neptune, that they fell from the treasure chests of mermaids... and the Greeks attributed them to Aphrodite herself. Continuing our Gemstones series, Anna investigates the science, history and lore of aquamarine.
Amethyst
The February birthstone was long believed to protect against drunkenness, and worn by a famous Christian martyr to advertise illegal marriages. Whether you're a gemstone enthusiast or new to the world of precious stones, this post explores the science, history, and very peculiar lores of amethyst - the Queen of Purple gems.
Opal
Opals come in myriad colours and forms, and have a strange and fascinating history stretching back to antiquity. But are they, as legend has it, 'cursed'? We explore the history, lore, and science behind these most 'precious of stones'.
Paste Gemstones
A short guide to paste gemstones including: what they actually are, the history behind their development, and their use in jewellery. From ancient times to modern, imitation gemstones have been fashioned from glass and similar materials. Whether designed to deceive or impress, they certainly never fail to delight.
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History
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The Starstuff Stories
This series is a journey. We travel from the cosmic to the infinitesimal, from the far reaches of the universe to shimmering grains on a goldsmith’s workbench, The Starstuff Stories bring together the mysteries of our universe and the great achievements of chemists and metallurgists in short and readable tales of discovery and jewellery-making.
Cosmologist Karl Sagan once said “The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself”. Jewellery, as a product of humankind’s mastery of directly working with and understanding “star-stuff”, might be one of the most elegant expressions of this knowledge, and of this deep connection with the cosmos.
Philosophy
Need to spend some time thinking about what to say here... (sorry).