Journal

The History of Gem-Engraving - A Fascinating Journey through Ages and Kingdoms

From ancient Egyptian scarabs and Assyrian cylinder seals to the masterfully engraved gems of Greece, Rome, and the Renaissance, the story of gem engraving spans more than 3,000 years. This fascina...

Muzo Emeralds: The Legendary Green Gemstones of Colombia

Among the world’s great colored gemstones, few names carry the historical resonance of Muzo. Located in the mountains of Boyacá, Colombia, the Muzo emerald region has been associated with remarkabl...

When a Kashmir Sapphire Becomes a Work of Art: A Rare Antique Intaglio

An exceptional natural unheated Kashmir sapphire becomes a miniature work of art through antique intaglio carving, classical imagery and historic craftsmanship.

The Engraved Gems - A Journey through Magic and Myths

For centuries, gemstones were believed to hold extraordinary powers. Ancient physicians, astrologers, Druids, and alchemists attributed magical virtues to engraved gems, planetary rings, serpent-st...

Art Nouveau – A Glimpse Into A Not-So-Distant Era (Part 2)

Art Nouveau transformed jewelry through flowing natural forms, innovative materials, and exceptional craftsmanship. From luminous opals and intricate enameling to the influential work of Liberty &a...

Art Nouveau – A Glimpse Into A Not So Distant Era (Part 1)

Art Nouveau jewelry transformed the decorative arts by blending natural forms, innovative materials, and Japanese influences into some of the most iconic designs of the late 19th century. This arti...

The Florentine Diamond: The Lost Treasure Hidden in a Canadian Bank for a Century

After vanishing from official records for more than a century, the legendary Florentine Diamond has resurfaced in one of the most unexpected places: a Canadian bank vault. Tied to the Medici dynast...

Ancient Rings - Between History and Fascination

Across ancient civilizations, rings served as more than personal adornment—they marked authority, belief, status, and identity in forms ranging from iron and bronze to gold and gem-set sig...

Virtues Ascribed to Gems in the Middle Ages

Medieval writers treated gemstones as more than ornament, attributing to them powers over health, fate, and the human soul. From lapidaries describing diamonds that repel poison to visions...

The Alsdorf Collection: A Story of Renaissance Jewelry

Renaissance jewelry reflects a period of intense artistic refinement, where gold, enamel, pearls, and gemstones were shaped into intricate forms that signaled wealth, identity, and cultural power. ...