The Curator's Journal

Amethyst: The Classic Purple Gem

By Yaĝé Enigmus The colour of amethyst indisputably makes this gemstone one of the great treasures of the mineral realm and the most valuable single-colour variety of quartz. Residing among the mos...

A Brief History of Amethyst, Part 2: From Regal Gem to Pervasive Treasure

By Yaĝé EnigmusIn Europe during the dark ages, purple was one of the most difficult pigments to make and  along with amethyst was intimately associated with European royalty. One famous example of ...

A Brief History of Amethyst, Part 1: Violet Quartz in the Ancient World

By Yaĝé EnigmusPerhaps one of the oldest and most well known gems, amethyst has been valued by human beings from countless cultures and civilizations throughout history. Amethyst was historically r...

The Mythology of the Ruby

Any discussion of rubies and the mythology surrounding them has to begin in India, an ancient source for the beautiful red gemstones. The ancient Sanskrit word for ruby translates as “king of preci...

The Mythology of the Emerald

The green colour of emeralds has often been the source of numerous myths and beliefs. Throughout history, emeralds have been believed to cure all kinds of conditions, from depression to insomnia. M...

Appraisal Values Explained

I am often asked if retail values on appraisals are “realistic” or “overinflated”. I have people ask me all the time to explain exactly what a “retail replacement value” or “appraisal value” is, so...

The Mythology of the Sapphire

Sapphires are among the earliest known gemstones in history. As a result, it is no surprise that there are many legends about this wonderful stone. The blue sapphire is most prominent in mythology....

Hardness vs. Durability

By Yagé Enigmus When considering which gemstone to purchase or wear in jewellery, it is important to choose a stone that will be appropriate for the desired use and able to withstand the stresses t...

Mohs Hardness Scale

By Yagé Enigmus For ages humans have observed that some materials were harder than others and could be used to scratch or grind down softer materials. This observation would have inspired primitive...

Skyjems Virtual World Tour: Russia!

 Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow, Russia Photo by Nikita Karimov on Unsplash LET'S GO TO RUSSIA! As travel plans continue to remain cancelled or postponed for the year, let's continue our fantast...