What would you do if someone unexpectedly placed a sparkling diamond in your palm? Would you stare at it in disbelief, rush to get it appraised, or wonder whether keeping…
Have you ever admired a sparkling diamond ring only to realise the band wasn’t gold or platinum—but sterling silver? And then wondered… “Are diamonds even real if they’re set in…
Have you ever turned your ring around, spotted a tiny stamp that reads “925 EC”, and wondered—what on earth does that mean? I asked myself the same question a few…
Why can two gemstones that look almost identical differ in price by thousands of pounds? This was the exact question that first pulled me into the world of gemstones nearly…
I still remember the first time I held what was claimed to be a Burmese ruby in my hand. It wasn’t in a luxury showroom or a high-security auction house,…
Have you ever held a piece of jewellery that felt like it came from another time? One with bold lines, symmetrical shapes, and an unapologetic sparkle that made it feel…
"Is that old necklace in your drawer worth something?" That’s the question I found myself asking one rainy Sunday afternoon while decluttering my flat. The necklace, a hand-me-down from an…
Last month, I caught a glimpse of my sapphire ring under the kitchen light—and something was off. The once brilliant blue was clouded, dulled by something I couldn’t quite name.…
Have you ever bought a striking green stone, only to wonder later: "Did I just pay for plastic?" That was me in a bustling Istanbul market three summers ago. I…
"Is that rhodonite or rhodochrosite?" The question hit me in a dusty antique shop in Prague while eyeing a polished pink pendant. The shopkeeper smiled and said, "Even jewellers get…
It started with a casual conversation at a family dinner. My cousin, who was recently engaged, held up her diamond ring and laughed, "Did you know some diamonds glow in…
What Truly Makes an Engagement Ring Stone “The Best”? What is the first image that comes to your mind when you think about an engagement ring? For many, it is…
Have you ever slipped on a necklace and felt like everything in your day suddenly clicked into place? Like the traffic lights turned green just for you, or a long-lost…
Have you ever held a stone that looked like a frozen cloud—soft, white, and glowing from within? That, more than likely, was milky quartz. But what exactly does it mean,…
Have you ever glanced down at your yellow gold ring and wondered, "Would this look better in white gold?" You're not alone. Over the years, I've spoken with countless clients,…
Last winter, while helping a friend inspect an heirloom diamond ring under UV light, we both stared in disbelief as the stone suddenly lit up in a bluish glow. Was…
Have you ever stood under soft lighting, mesmerised by a diamond that seemed to catch light from every angle and shoot it back in a dazzling firework of sparkles? I…
Last winter, during a trip to Antwerp—the diamond capital of the world—I visited a jeweller who had worked with diamonds for over three decades. As I admired a sparkling solitaire,…
It’s a question I first heard during a geology workshop years ago, whispered by a curious student who held a tiny lab-grown diamond between their fingers: “If a diamond is…
Last year, while wandering through the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, I found myself staring at a velvet tray filled with emeralds, sapphires, and rubies. The dealer smiled knowingly as I…