Learn about diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and other gemstones. Explore their properties, formation, and grading standards. Get expert insights on identifying real vs. fake gems.
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…
"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…
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…
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…
Have you ever held a sapphire up to the light and wondered why it's not always that signature deep blue we're used to seeing in films and royal jewellery collections?…
Introduction: What Do Uncut Diamonds Really Look Like? Have you ever held a stone in your hand and wondered, "Could this rough, unpolished rock actually be a diamond?" I asked…
Have you ever wondered if that sapphire ring or moonstone pendant is doing more than just making a fashion statement? For centuries, cultures across the globe have believed in the…
Have you ever held a beautiful stone in your hand and wondered—is this agate or carnelian?You're not alone. As someone who has spent years collecting and studying gemstones, I can…
What really happens the moment a gem lands in a gemmologist’s hands? The first time I watched a professional gemmologist examine a sapphire, I expected a dramatic cinematic moment —…