The Curator's Journal

The Splendour of Spinel, part 5: Mysterious Marvels

The spinel mines of central Asia produced many of the world's greatest spinels, and by extension some of history’s greatest “rubies”, but among the world’s most prized “ruby” and spinel gemstones a...

The Splendour of Spinel, part 4: Tajik Treasures

During the centuries in which the spinel mines of the Pamir Mountains were at their peak of productivity, countless high quality gemstones were unearthed and trafficked across Eurasia. Many of thes...

The Splendour of Spinel, part 3: Early Exploitation

Even though it is a lesser known gemstone, spinel’s history still stretches at least as far back as pre-Christian antiquity; some of the oldest known spinel gems were found in ancient buddhist tomb...

The Allure of Aquamarine, part 2 - Legends and Lore

Aquamarine has a long history as a revered gemstone. Blue and colourless beryls are thought to have been known to the Sumerians and Semitic peoples of antiquity, although definitive evidence of thi...

An Overview of Belle Epoch Jewellery

            The Belle Epoch (Original French: “La Belle Époque”; English: “The Beautiful Era” or “The Beautiful Age”) was a historical period that stretched from the end of the Franco-Prussian war ...

Origins of Ametrine, Part 2: The Legend of Bolivianite

There are a number of locations where ametrine has been known to occur naturally, but the stone is somewhat rare and there is only one place where a significant quantity of gem-grade ametrine can b...

Female Jewellery Designers who Pavéd the Way: Marianne Ostier (1902-1976)

Marianne Ostier. Image: Macklowe Gallery Already an accomplished painter and sculptor who attended the Vienna Academy of Arts and Crafts (now the University of Applied Arts Vienna), Marianne Ostier...

Female Jewellery Designers who Pavéd the Way: Charlotte Isabella Newman (1836-1920)

At a time when women were virtually unheard of in the jewellery design business, talented goldsmith Charlotte Newman was bravely stamping her trademark “Mrs. N” into her coveted designs that ranged...

Black History Month Spotlight: Ancient African Jewellery

As jewellery continues to evolve across cultures and generations, one thing remains a constant truth: it will always be an important part of society. In honour of Black History Month, we are excite...

Origins of Ametrine, Part 2: The Legend of Bolivianite

By Yaĝé Enigmus There are a number of locations where ametrine has been known to occur naturally, but the stone is somewhat rare and there is only one place where a significant quantity of gem-grad...