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The Practical Gemologist

Fede rings depict two hands clasped. They are named for the Italian phrase mani in fede; "hands in faith" though the imagery dates back much further to Ancient Grece and Rome. The imagery is referred to as  dextrarum iunctio in La

The delicate magic of art created by René Lalique is unique in the way it enchants the viewer. This brooch entitled "L'Anémone de Bois" is no exception.
The romance of dappled light touching the delicate flowers of the fores

Kingfisher feathers with their iridescent ultramarine to turquoise-blue hues featured in Chinese ornaments as early as the Han dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE). Kingfisher feather jewelry and ornaments were highly valued and were a way to display the wearer

Tiara with corn featuring moonstones and carved horn by English jeweler, silversmith, and teacher of jewellery making Frederick James Partridge (1877-1942).
In 1910, Partridge set up a studio in Soho London where he designed for Liberty & Co. amo

🔹Aquamarine is a blueish green, blue-green, greenish blue, blue variety of beryl (emerald is a green variety of beryl).
🔹Aquamarine's coloring is due to trace amounts of ferrous iron.
🔹Aquamarine’s name comes from the Latin for seawater an

Mrs Philip (Charlotte) Newman was a pupil of, and assistant to, the jeweler John Brogden and worked between the years of 1870 and 1910. She created Classical and Renaissance revival style jewelry and her pieces were shown with John Brogden at the Int

On this day in 1911 Jean Harlow was born.
In 1936, actor William Powell gave her a ring that is described below:
"William Powell just gave Jean Harlow a ring— a big, flashy, perfectly gorgeous ring such as any woman would give her eye-teet

"An engraved amethyst bearing the figure of a little Cupid is said to have been worn in a ring by Saint Valentine. While this may be somewhat doubtful, it is by no means impossible, for many pagan gems were worn by pious Christians, who reconcil

Gold pendant with amethysts and enameling on the back. Spain circa 1625-50. Photo courtesy of the V&A Museum

One of my favorite things about the ornate jewelry from the 16th and 17th centuries is the attention paid to the entire piece. Jewelry

This book by @jasonmudlark and @rockthemudlark is out today in the UK and is available for pre-order with a release date of April 20, 2021 stateside! I cannot wait to see all the treasures and artifacts it holds. What a wonderful way to experience hi

Happy Valentine's Day!

The Heart of Eternity
27.64 carat heart-shaped stone with a ‘vivid blue’ color.
The Heart of Eternity was one of 11 blue diamond’s unveiled in January 2000 as part of the De Beers Millennium Jewels.

Fish are often used as symbols of abundance and plenty. 🐟
Aquamarine and diamond fish brooch with sapphires and a cabochon ruby set in platinum.
Sold by Sotheby's in 2007.
Happy Lunar New Year to those celebrating!

Roman agate cameo dating to the 5th century AD set in a modern gold setting. The cameo depicts a hand pinching an ear. Above is a knotted scarf or diadem. The inscription is Greek and reads: “Remember me, your dear sweetheart, and fare well, So

Queen Mary's Amethyst Parure was a set that the jewelry loving queen purchased through auction. It included a collection of large, primarily oval-shaped, amethysts surrounded by diamonds.
Mary passed the set on to her daughter-in-law Elizabeth who n

My favorite of the thistle brooches recently made an appearance on Burn's night.
The Diamond Thistle Brooch owned by the Queen Mother dates to around WWII era. The brooch passed on to the Queen when her mother passed away in 2002. It was loaned to th

© Kathleen Marino 2015, The Practical Gemologist