The Curator's Journal

An Overview of the Lost Wax Casting Process

Lost wax casting is a popular technique for producing intricate pieces of metal-based artwork. This method of metalworking has been around for thousands of years, with the oldest known items produc...

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...

Famous Sapphire Jewellery, Part 8: Circlet of the Imperial State Crown, Home of the Stuart Sapphire

The circlet of the Imperial State Crown of Britain holds the Stuart Sapphire. Bearing the name of the Stuart Dynasty, the Stuart Sapphire is a large deep blue gem that weighs approximately 104 car...

Famous Sapphire Jewellery, Part 7: The Maltese Cross of the Imperial State Crown, Home of St. Edward's Sapphire

What is perhaps the most well known piece of British sapphire regalia is the Imperial State Crown. British monarchs have worn some form of the Imperial State Crown after their coronation ceremony ...

Famous Sapphire Jewellery, Part 6: Exquisite Jewels of Elizabeth II

The Royal Family of Britain possesses countless gemstone laden treasures, many of which feature sapphires. Queen Elizabeth II watches over many of these jewels and enjoys wearing them along with ...

Famous Sapphire Jewellery, Part 5: Baubles of British Princesses

Princesses of the United Kingdom have been known to wear sapphires almost as much of British Queens. Some of the sapphire jewels that these princesses wear deserve attention amid the many jewelle...

Famous Sapphire Jewellery, Part 4: Elegant Riches of Eastern Europe

From east to west, the royal families of Europe adored sapphire jewellery. The nations of Eastern Europe had their fair share of treasures featuring the timeless gemstone. Many of these jewels exc...

Famous Sapphire Jewellery, Part 3: Fantastic French Treasures

The French are famous for their love of coloured gemstones, and sapphires are no exception. Among the multitudes of jewels to come from France, there are pieces of sapphire jewellery that undoubted...

Famous Sapphire Jewellery, Part 2: Beautiful Brooches

Sapphires have been adorning the clothing and regalia of the influential for millennia, and continue to do so even to this day. When exploring the sapphire creations of the past, a number of sapph...