The beauty of gemstones hold certain fascinations for man, whether in raw form or faceted. In order to improve and reveal the best of a gemstone, man has gone a step further by cutting or faceting it. Although there is no actual record on who first started gem-cutting, it certainly took many years to perfect… Read More »
Nature has her way of leaving her fingerprints on everything she creates, thereby making everything unique in their own way and value. So when one evaluates a natural gemstone, it is ideal to know the characteristics of each. Amethyst, part of the quartz family, is highly sensitive to heat and exposing the gem to high… Read More »
Not usually mentioned in the same breadth as the other kind, episcopal jewellery over the centuries has not had much press coverage. They have been regarded as holy symbols, magic talismans and even as evidence of “effeminate” propensities. In a mid-19th century article on ecclesiastical rings, the anonymous author cautioned its reader to “look on… Read More »