With recent technologies allowing labs to produce synthetic gemstones and place them alongside authentic gems, it has broadened the gemstone market and made some precious stones more widely available – but are they just as good as the real deal?
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Does It Make the Cut? How Shaping Emeralds Can Affect Their Character
We compare the variety of cuts of emeralds and how they affect the gemstones characteristics, as well as its carat content, price, and how desirable it is.

The Month of Amethyst: February’s Birthstone
February’s birthstone of Amethyst has tranquil and balancing properties that are just what we need in lockdown days, and act as a little sparkle to what may be a normal day in your life.

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 2021
There’s always a good reason to buy jewellery but Valentine’s Day is one of the best. In our 2021 Valentine’s Day gift guide, discover specially selected jewels that will make the perfect gift for your loved one.

Celebrate the new year with these unique celebrity engagement rings
Celebrate the new year by getting creative with your engagement ring. Draw inspiration for your own creation from these unique celebrity engagement rings.

December Birthstones
When imagining the colours associated with the last month of the year, people tend to think of Christmassy reds and greens, however; December’s birthstones are much more representative of its wintery chill.

Our 2020 Christmas Gift Guide
The countdown to Christmas has well and truly begun, so, in the hopes of preventing any extra stress to an already stressful year, we have put together our definitive Christmas gift guide for 2020.

Digital PR in the jewellery industry: How brands can create a virtual shopping experience
In-person shopping for jewellery is something that will always take precedence; however, 63% of shopping begins online and it is finalised there too. Digital PR has thus become an important tool for jewellers in recreating a similarly enjoyable shopping experience, except virtually.

The complete guide to coloured gemstone engagement rings
When most people think of coloured gemstones they tend to focus on green, red and blue (emerald, ruby and sapphire) but it is possible to buy stones in the full colour spectrum and even ones that continue multiple colours. Here’s our complete guide to coloured gemstone engagement rings.

Lucara discovers the fourth largest diamond in the world
Lucara Diamond Corp. have just unearthed an unbroken high white clivage diamond, weighing an impressive 998 carats – making it the fourth largest diamond in the world.

Pink diamond prices set to soar as the Argyle mine closes
The closure of Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine in Western Australia has been touted for many years but by the end of 2020, after almost 4 decades of production, it will finally come to pass.

Diamond game changer – Israel and Dubai join forces
As the gradual thawing of relations between Israel and some of its Arab neighbours continues, one of the more unlikely consequences has been a direct trade deal between Israel and Dubai’s diamond bourses.

Diamonds made from the sky: A new age of mining
In recent years we’ve seen the rise of lab-made diamonds but now, Dale Vince, renewable energy tycoon and founder of green energy provider Ecotricity, is taking synthetic jewels sky high.

How to tell if a diamond is real?
The best way to determine whether a diamond is real or not is to take it to a professional gemmologist or jeweller. However, if you’re too curious to wait, these are the tests that you can do at home to determine it for yourself.

Kate Moss turns high fashion into high jewellery with her debut Messika collection
She’s been fashion’s muse since dominating the runways in the 90’s and has been the muse of many designers. But now, with her debut high jewellery collection, in collaboration with luxury French jewellers Messika, Kate Moss is the one behind the designs.

From the high seas to the streets of Hatton Garden: The entrepreneurial journey of London DE’s founder
One person who knows all about what it takes to start your own business is London DE’s founder, Philip Spencer. In a recent interview with High Profile Magazine, Phil explores the motivations behind starting his business and draws upon on his experience so far.

Stay on top of your game with these Autumn/Winter trends
As another season takes hold, it brings another wealth of trends to consider. These are the industry approved Autumn/Winter trends taking place this year.

Diamond earrings giveaway – winner revealed!
In August we launched a competition to give away a pair of diamond earrings worth £1,000 to one lucky person. We received over 2,500 entries from people worldwide, and we’re delighted to now reveal the winner!

The most luxurious sapphire jewels in the world
Continuing our insight into the September birthstone and celebrating the end of the month, we have put together the world’s three most famous and luxurious sapphire jewels.

Sapphire: The September birthstone
From the Ancient Egyptians to the Duchess of Cambridge’s engagement ring, sapphires have been the object of fascination for the richest and most noble figures of society. We explore this September birthstone in more detail.

The world’s most luxurious jewels famed for their Colombian emeralds
Colombian emeralds are notorious for being the most prestigious in the world. Throughout history, these vivid green gems have been chosen to adorn the finest jewels for both royalty and the rich and famous. Here are three luxurious jewels that are famed for their Colombian emeralds.

Things to consider when choosing the perfect engagement ring
Choosing an engagement ring is a daunting process, with so many things to consider that it is hard to know where to start. Here are the things you should be thinking about.

One for the history books: ALROSA discovers Russia’s largest coloured diamond ever
The diamond is currently being assessed by ALROSA’s specialists before a decision will be made on its future. While we wait, let’s look back at some of the world’s largest diamonds ever found, and what became of them.

Behind the cut: Rounded silhouettes
With a variety of shapes available, choosing the right cut for your engagement ring can be an overwhelming process. In the hopes to help ease this, we have put together a selection of the most popular rounded cuts on offer and the reasons as to why they’re so special!

Behind the cut: Square silhouettes
With a variety of shapes available, choosing the right cut for your engagement ring can be an overwhelming process. In the hopes to help ease this, we have put together a selection of the most popular square cuts on offer and the reasons as to why they’re so special!

Anna Hu: The jewellery designer you should know about
Christie’s Hong Kong held a charity auction to raise money for frontline Covid-19 healthcare workers and, with the sale of just three jewels, raised $338,781. The one-of-a-kind creations were crafted by Anna Hu, a New York-based jewellery designer who is a rising star in the industry.

Colour dominates high jewellery at Paris Haute Couture fashion week
An array of spectacular high jewellery designs were showcased at this year’s Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week, with vibrant colours taking centre stage.

The most exciting pieces from Phillips Hong Kong Jewels and Jadeite auction
This week the Phillips Jewels & Jadeite Auction was a marvel for all jewellery lovers. Here are our pick of the top standout jewels.

The colours of the rainbow set in stone
As pride month draws to a close, we take a look back at some of the world’s most vibrant jewels that make up the colours of the rainbow.

The History of the Hatton Garden jewellery district
London has a rich and varied history dating back to Roman times and the archaeological records show that jewellery production dates to at least this period, evidenced by the discovery of the Temple of Mithras near the Bank of England.

Treasure assets – why the mega-rich are investing in coloured gemstones during Covid-19
Whilst it is true to say that ultra-high net worth individuals are usually the last people to notice a global crisis, it is striking just how robust demand for fine jewellery and fine grade coloured gemstones has remained during the pandemic.

The Cheapside Hoard and the rich history of London’s jewellery quarter
We explore the discovery of the Cheapside Hoard, and the rich history of Hatton Garden – London’s famous jewellery quarter.

Our guide to emeralds and the 4 C’s
At London DE we focus on the finest grade gemstones and coloured gemstones from around the world, including Colombian emeralds. Read our guide on emeralds and the 4C’s.

An insight into the colourful Indian jewellery market
India has for many years been a powerhouse of the global gemstone and jewellery industry and it is now reopening for business, including international business.

Life beyond the lockdown – How can jewellers prepare for the gradual return of face-to-face business?
It seems likely that the coming weeks and months will see a gradual loosening of the current lockdown measures, potentially enabling many jewellers to start to return to face-to-face trade perhaps as early as next month.

Gem of an idea
Founded from a passion for gemstones, London DE has become the hallmark of custom design jewellery. Charlotte Wiseman from Abode2 meets company owner and diamond devotee, Philip Spencer.

Emerald – the majestic May birthstone
Emeralds have adorned the jewellery collections of the rich and powerful dating back to the ancient civilisations, and are recognised as the birthstone of May.

Carving out a niche in coloured gems
Every new business needs its niche and every entrepreneur needs passion and vision. Start-up jeweller London DE established the USP to offer coloured gemstone jewellery that is tailored to the customer, ethically sourced, transparent and traceable, all the way from source.

Hygiene matters – How to sanitise your jewellery
Handwashing and hygiene have suddenly and abruptly come to the fore in recent weeks but one area that has been largely overlooked is that of maintaining the hygiene and cleanliness of your jewellery, which can harbour potentially dangerous germs and viruses.

“Created in the UK” – We are proud to support the new NAJ initiative
The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) have recognised the global kudos associated with the quality and integrity of British craftsmanship and embodied it with its new “Created in the UK” accreditation.

Coronavirus and its impact on the jewellery industry – What can jewellers offer consumers during the pandemic?
A recent study by market research firm Edelman has shown what perhaps may seem obvious to many that jewellery brands must not prioritise commercial considerations over those of people affected by the pandemic.

From mine-to-market: how to buy coloured gems ethically
Coloured gemstones are the luxury must-have fashion trend, but customers shouldn’t have to choose between fair trade and fair prices, writes London DE’s Phil Spencer.

Our guide to the perfect emerald engagement ring
From Cleopatra to Angelina Jolie, through Maharajas and Catherine the Great, emerald engagement rings and jewellery have been a must have for celebrity ladies.

The expertise of the local jeweller
There is a growing trend among consumers to want something bespoke, something personal and something which no one else has when it comes to buying jewellery. Bespoke is clearly gaining momentum, as people move away from impersonal, off-the-shelf jewellery towards unique and one-of-a-kind pieces that truly represent their individuality.

Celebrity engagement ring trends for 2020
From coloured stones to pearls, we explore the top celebrity engagement ring trends of 2020.

Strategies for coping with the Coronavirus lockdown
Just a few short weeks ago we were all going about our daily business as usual. However, in these strange unprecedented times we all now find ourselves in, working from home will become the new ‘normal; for most of us for the foreseeable future, and our team at London DE Fine Jewellery is no exception.

Top engagement ring trends for 2020
Continuing the trend from 2019, in which almost 50% of engagement ring sales were of personalised creations, bespoke remains king in 2020.

The Meghan Markle sparkle – the jewellery trends of the Duchess of Sussex as she steps down as HRH.
We explore the jewellery trends of the Duchess of Sussex as she steps down as HRH.

Coronavirus and its impact on the jewellery industry
The impact of the coronavirus outbreak will be far reaching, and the jewellery industry certainly isn’t immune.

Picking out a gem at Emergence 2020
Entrepreneur and London DE founder Phil Spencer was in Sydney for the Emergence 2020 investment event, highlighting expansion opportunities in the coloured gems market.

Millennials are changing gemstone shopping for the better
Ethics and traceability are paramount for millennials shopping for precious stones – and that is changing the jewellery business for the better.

China’s gemstones market
With efforts continuing to contain Coronavirus, now might not seem the right time to consider gemstone opportunities in China, but the country is a focus for London DE founder Phil Spencer.

Our guide to lab grown diamonds
For centuries alchemists have tried, unsuccessfully, to create gold from base metals. It seems that in modern times science has managed to achieve what was once seen as impossible and create diamonds in a laboratory!

Royal engagement rings over time
For centuries the great royal houses have adorned themselves with some of the finest and most vibrant jewellery ever created.

Valentines’ jewellery gifts – ideas that will last longer than flowers
If you want to bowl over your partner this Valentines, why not choose a gift that will last a lifetime rather than a few days? It often helps to start with a concept, a budget and rough design idea. The internet and social media provide an endless source of inspiration and themes but the humble […]

Our guide to buying coloured gemstone engagement rings
1) Why choose colour? Coloured gemstone engagement rings have received a real boost from the “Kate” effect, in reference the Duchess of Cambridge’s 12 carat Kashmir sapphire and diamond halo engagement ring (once owned by Diana, Princess of Wales). This phenomenon is nothing new, in 1796 Napoleon Bonaparte proposed to the future Empress Joséphine with […]

The rise of coloured gemstones
Coloured gemstones are becoming increasingly desirable luxury fashion items. In particular the ‘big-3’ (ruby, sapphire and emerald) are featuring in the designs and collections of the foremost fine jewellery houses. Colombia is the world’s most prolific producer of fine quality emeralds but they are also found in Brazil, Zambia, Zimbabwe, East Africa and the Swot […]

A buyer’s guide to the perfect bespoke engagement ring
For centuries people have relied upon visiting a jeweller’s shop to find a suitable engagement ring. This limited you to one of the examples held in the shop’s inventory and bespoke engagement rings were a rarity. In the twenty-first century the rise of digital channels has opened up a world of possibility for a truly […]

Aquamarine – a buying guide to the ocean blue gemstone
The name aquamarine is derived from the Latin for ‘water of the sea,’ and it has long been associated with the colour and mythology of the ocean.

A guide to buying amethyst
Amethyst is probably the most well known and easily identifiable purple gemstone. In the ancient past they were held in equal regard to diamonds and the ‘big three’ coloured gemstones (ruby, sapphire and emerald) and were at one time the reserve of royalty.

Garnet
When people think of garnet they often regard it as a form of less expensive “ruby” but this belies the true character and value of this intriguing coloured gemstone. Garnet is a species of gemstone in its own right, derived from a collection of closely related minerals that come in a variety of colours.

Winston Pink Legacy
In November 2018 a new world record price per carat was set at auction for a pink diamond when the “Winston Pink Legacy went under the hammer, achieving US$2.6 million per carat.

Opal and tourmaline – the October birthstone duo
Opal and tourmaline are the dual birthstones for the month of October. Opal is also the stone associated with the fourteenth wedding anniversary.

Sapphire – the sumptuous September birthstone
Most people automatically associate sapphire with the blue variety but they are in fact found in the full spectrum of colour.

Spinel – the August birthstone
For many centuries spinel has been mistaken for ruby, as its physical appearance and colour are obviously similar.

Ruby – Our guide to the fiery July birthstone
Ruby is widely recognised as the July birthstone. It has been revered for millennia by many different cultures, including the Mogul dynasties of ancient India who referred to it as the “king of gemstones.” Akin to sapphire, ruby is a member of corundum family.

Alexandrite – the final June birthstone
Alexandrite has often been referred to as “emerald by day, ruby by night,” thanks to its unique colour shifts between shades of green and red. The closer the colours are to pure green and red, and the greater the contrast between the two colours, the higher the value of the stone. The transition between the […]

Moonstone – the lesser known June birthstone
Moonstone is the second in our trio of articles examining the June birthstones. The name is derived from the ‘moon like’ appearance of the light refracted from the micro-structure of feldspar layers on the stone’s surface, otherwise known as lamellae.

Emerald – the birthstone of May
As spring advances towards summer and the trees steadily regain their foliage, it is perhaps appropriate that emerald is the May birthstone.

April birthstone – is diamond the only option?
One of the intriguing things about birthstones is the fact there is no unanimous agreement on what each one should be and most sources site multiple stones for the same month! Different cultures have developed differing birthstone calendars and these have often been revised and changed over the years.

Baselworld – the largest jewellery & watch show on earth
For 101 years the small Swiss town of Basel has hosted what has become the biggest annual watch and jewellery spectacle on earth.

Coloured gemstones
Last June an 18.04 carat Colombian emerald fetched US$5.5 million when it went under the hammer at Christie’s.

Aquamarine – the beautiful blue birthstone of March
Aquamarine, as the name suggests, is a gemstone that has long been associated with sailors and the sea. For many centuries aquamarine was thought to have protective powers and the ability to improve a person’s health.

Executive Summary – High Yield Fixed Income Opportunity
Founded in 2013, London DE Limited (“The Company”) is a UK based supplier of responsibly sourced coloured gemstones to the global market place, supplying all levels of the supply chain with loose stones and bespoke jewellery.

Gems and Cryptocurrency – a Bitcoin match made in heaven?
Crypto currency, including Bitcoin, has been making headlines for almost a decade, since it was first conceived by a mysterious programmer in 2009. However, its uptake in the jewellery and gemstone industry has been rather slow.

Amethyst – a guide to the February birthstone
Amethyst, the birthstone of February, is an enigmatic stone that is found in a range of hues from deep reddish purple to pale lilac. It is a crystalline quartz that sits at a relatively hard 7-8 on the (1-10) Moh’s scale and as such it is a fairly easy stone to look after.

Green gold – the reasons why Colombian emeralds are the hottest rocks
Emeralds have been growing in popularity for some time but it is the Colombian variety that have seen the greatest increases in value over recent years. A good example of this comes from Rayaz Takat, CEO of New York based Takat

The Crown Jewels
As the queen celebrates the sapphire jubilee of her coronation in 1953, the Crown Jewels are receiving more public interest than at any time in their history.

The jewellery market in 2018
As the festive period starts to recede into memory, thoughts turn in earnest to the year that lies ahead. We have researched the published material of industry insiders to shine a light on what may lie in store for the jewellery market trends that develop in 2018.

Sri Lanka – the island of gems
Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon until 1972, is a fast growing island economy in the Indian Ocean. Almost a decade on from the conclusion of its 30 year civil war, the island is becoming a Mecca for gem dealers and tourists alike.

Harry & Meghan – the Royal wedding that is reigniting British gold mining
Having closed in 1998, the Welsh mine that produced the gold for three generations of royal weddings, including those of the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, Princes Anne, Diana, Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Cambridge, is set to reopen this year.

The concise A-Z encyclopaedia of gemstones
Alexandrite is famous for the fact that it can change colour, appearing bluish-green in daylight and reddish-pink by indoor lamplight. The value of this stone increases with the distinctness of the colour shift.

The explosion of colour – millennials turn to coloured gemstones
After more than a century of the domination of diamonds, coloured stones are returning to the fore. References to the value of coloured gemstones can be traced back to ancient history, including descriptions in the bible such as “she is more precious than rubies,” when referring to a virtuous wife.

The Peace Diamond
It was recently announced in a press conference chaired by Martin Rapaport that the Peace Diamond has been purchased by Laurence Graff, of Graff Diamonds, from the government of Sierra Leone for US$6.5 million

Red hot gemstones
Red is one of the most evocative primary colours, conjuring powerful images in our imagination of fire, heat, excitement and passion. So it is little wonder that the most popular colour for high performance cars (not least Ferraris) is red!

Black Friday & Cyber Monday – make the most of it with our guide to Christmas jewellery gifts
Christmas is, famously, a time for giving. It has now overtaken Valentine’s Day as the peak time of year for marriage proposals and more people than ever before are choosing to give their loved ones festive jewellery gifts.

Christie’s & de GRISOGONO – an emerging partnership of jeweller & auctioneer
The world famous Swiss luxury jeweller de GRISOGONO was founded in 1993 by black diamond specialist Fawaz Gruosi and it is known affectionately by its high clientele simply as ‘de Gris.’ Their most recent creation

Never judge a gem by its cover – a guide to identifying stones
Prior to the advent of modern gemmological testing, many gemstones were mistakenly identified as something they were not. Eduard Gübelin (1913-2005), the ‘father’ of modern gemmology, was the man widely accredited with devising the laboratory techniques to distinguish one stone from another.

A guide to our business model and market
We are an internationally recognised specialist bespoke jeweller and dealer of natural Colombian emeralds, sapphires, rubies and other coloured gemstones, diamonds and coloured diamonds.

The Vibrant Middle East Jewellery Market
Key to understanding how the gem trade operates are the tiers in its complex supply chain. According to industry expert Jim Grahl, these can be roughly broken down as follows:

The inside guide to the gem & jewellery trade
Key to understanding how the gem trade operates are the tiers in its complex supply chain. According to industry expert Jim Grahl, these can be roughly broken down as follows:

Buying the perfect bespoke engagement ring
(An example of a unique four stone custom made ring designed by LDE for a bespoke customer) Bespoke engagement rings have never been more popular and now account for almost half of all those sold, both in the UK and elsewhere. More and more couples are now looking for a unique, one-of-a- kind, showstopper to […]

‘The most beautiful diamond in the world’ – the largest D-colour flawless diamond ever sold
In what is set to be the most exciting gem auction of 2017, the largest D-colour flawless diamond ever put under the hammer, at 163.41 carats, will be on sale on 14th November at Christie’s Geneva.

Guide to buying the perfect Christmas jewellery gift
With Christmas on the horizon many of us start to turn our attention to the annual question of what to buy our nearest and dearest.

A splash of colour – the rise of coloured gem engagement rings
Are diamonds still a girl’s best friend? It may surprise you that right up until the early twentieth century around 50% of engagement rings featured coloured gems and 50% diamonds.

The vibrant Thai gem & jewellery industry
Thailand is a medium ranking regional power among the South East Asian economies but it is showing signs of rapid economic development beyond its tradition staples of tourism, agriculture and fisheries.

The coloured gemstone market sparkles in 2017
The coloured gemstone mining industry is going through a revolution, shifting irreversibly away from artisanal mining towards large scale mechanised production. This is being propelled by the increasing participation of larger mining entities and the enhanced formalisation of the industry.

The Rockefeller Emerald – a guide to buying coloured gems at auction
Emeralds have been one of the best performing gemstones in recent years and their increasing prices have been well documented but the fine art of successfully buying and selling these beguiling stones is a lesser known industry secret.

Beryl – a guide to this enigmatic gemstone family
(Beryl can be found in a range of colours and hues) The beryl family comprises stones of beryllium aluminium cyclosilicate, the best known examples of which are aquamarine and emerald. However there are also many other sub-classes to this multi-coloured family that are starting to grow in popularity. Pure beryl is actually colourless but […]

Sapphires are now the gemstone of choice for many millennials
The popularity of sapphires has never been greater, perhaps due in part to Prince William’s decision to propose to Kate Middleton with the sapphire engagement ring of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. In addition to superstar celebrity and royal endorsement, the young and increasingly economically powerful millennial generation …

Ethiopia – the new African gemstone giant awakens
(An example of an Ethiopian opal recently won from the earth) In recent years exciting new deposits of precious and semi-precious stones have been reported from this ancient, but long troubled, African nation. The country is known to have significant deposits of at least nine gemstones: opal; corndium, beryl, garnet, peridot, quartz species and tourmaline. […]

Mogok – the mines & people
Within the gemstone mining industry, Mogok is unique for the variety of types of production found here, each tailored for the local geology. These include alluvial mining of the gem-bearing gravel, known as byon, and the hard rock mining of spinel and ruby from the marble deposits themselves.

Emeralds return to the forefront of high jewellery
Coloured gems are enjoying a renaissance at the moment and of the “big three” (emerald, ruby & sapphire) emeralds are shining especially brightly. At the route of this phenomenon is a virtuous circle of consistency of supply from fresh mining sites in Zambia, Brazil and most notably Colombia

Guide to buying fine jewellery without paying high prices
Iconic business leader and self made billionaire Richard Branson recently stated “every business we have was set up to disrupt a market with products or services that make a real difference to people’s lives.”

Mustang Resources – a shining light in gemstone production
With a market capitalisation of $41 million AUD, Mustang Resources in one of just two listed ruby mining companies in the world. Their main rival and African mining neighbour, Gemfields PLC, has a market cap of $433 million US, and some are pointing to the potential future growth of Mustang Resources to this scale in the foreseeable future.

Pink Star diamond – the world’s most expensive gem sells for $71.2 million
The world renowned Pink Star diamond has now officially become the world’s most valuable gemstone of all time, fetching an eye-watering $71.2 million (£57.3 million / $553 million HKD) at auction. The event was held by Sotheby’s in Hong Kong, who had estimated its pre-auction value at $60 million (£48.3 million).

The London Diamond & Emerald Exchange
The London Diamond & Emearld Exchange (LDE) is a hybrid online marketplace for precious stones and bespoke jewellery with a personal touch. Investitin.com has interviewed the Director and Founder, Phil Spencer, on the services London DE offers and their crowdfunding campaign on Seedrs. For decades precious gems have been of great interest to the general […]

The Emerald Paternity Test – provenance proof
A unique set of Gübelin certified Colombian emerald jewellery from: https://www.londonde.com/ It is the long held opinion of most industry experts that the finest emeralds on earth are of Colombian origin. However, for many years it was almost impossible to ascertain with certainty the true origin of any given stone to a high degree of […]

LDE crowd funding campaign – our aims & ethos
All businesses have one thing in common, they all require investment to succeed. In the past, that often involved a formal meeting with a bank manager to discuss a business loan and overdraft facility. However, since the financial crash of the late 2000s, all that has now changed and peer-to-peer lending and investing has become the new springboard for start-up and grow-up enterprises.

Mogok – the valley of rubies
Mogok consists of a collection of gemstone producing areas in Burma (Myanmar), sometimes referred to as the “Valley of Rubies,” a name immortalised by the book Mogok, the Valley of Rubies, authored by Joseph Kessel and Stella Rodway.

Marcial de Gomar rare emerald collection – the inside story
On 25th April 2017 history will be made at Guernsey’s auction house in New York as it hosts the sale of what is thought to be the world’s most valuable private collections of emeralds, the Marcial de Gomar collection.

Spinel – history’s hidden gem
Until fairly recently spinel was a largely unrecognised gem in relatively low demand. Lately the growth of coloured gems, including rubies, has lead to a renaissance in the appreciation for this richly coloured gem and its fascinating history.

The future of the gem and jewellery industry
In 2016 the global e-commerce market grew to a staggering $1.85 trillion US, driven largely by increasing internet use in emerging markets, most notably India and China.

Celebrity jewellery endorsement
Marketing, advertising and PR have long been the cornerstones of any successful brand but the inclusion of celebrity endorsement in particular has taken centre stage in recent years.

How to make a diamond sparkle
It may sound obvious that the most sought after characteristic of an engagement ring or piece of fine jewellery is its ‘sparkle’ but unearthing that illusive quality is not as straight forward as you might think.

Paraiba Tourmaline – the rare and enigmatic Brazilian gemstone
Just 30 years ago Paraíba tourmalines were completely undiscovered, now they are one of the most coveted of all gemstones. They were unearthed in 1988 by Heitor Dimas Barbosa, a man who had spent years digging in the hills of the Brazilian sate of Paraíba, based upon information that a very rare and highly prized gem was to be found there.

Tiffany and Co – the jewellery legend
Founded in 1837 In Brookly, Connecticut as a “stationery and fancy goods emporium” by Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young, “Tiffany, Young & Ellis” were one of the earliest luxury brands to establish themselves in the then nascent United States of America.

JAR – one of the brightest stars of modern jewellery
Joel Arthur Rosenthal was born in the Bronx, New York City in 1943 as the only child of a postman and a school biology teacher. He is famous for his founding of the French fine jewellery house JAR in Paris in 1978.

The 10 largest fine jewellery auctions in history
Over the years there have been some extraordinary auctions of fine jewellery collections. The world’s largest auction houses, Christies’s, Sotherby’s and Bonham’s, date back to the eighteenth century and they originally came to prominence for their sales of rare books and art, before diversifying into jewels and rare gemstones.

The ultimate guide to eternity rings
An eternity ring is a powerful symbol of eternal love and companionship, traditionally given to mark a specific milestone in a marriage or long term relationship, such as a wedding anniversary or the birth of a child.

The Foxfire diamond – the largest precious stone ever found in North America
For many years Africa was home to the world’s largest diamonds, however advances in mining technology and infrastructure in other parts of the world have led to some colossal discoveries elsewhere. The most recent example of this is that of the Foxfire diamond

What effect will Brexit have upon the gem & jewellery industry?
Brexit is one of the hot media topics of the moment in the UK and elsewhere around the world. In this article we are going to examine the possible implications of Brexit on the gem and jewellery industry.

The growth of the African emerald
While the experts agree that Colombian emeralds and the finest examples, their lighter-hued African counterparts are carving out a low to mid market niche. The principle emerald producing countries are Colombia, Brazil, Afghanistan, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The story of the Brazilian emerald
Brazil began to exploit its emerald deposits in the early 1970s. Although not quite of the same high standard as their erstwhile Colombian cousins, the Brazilian stones have none the less carved out a significant mid market niche.

The emerald mines of Las Pavas, Colombia
Colombia is world renowned for the quality of its fine emeralds. What is not so well know is the fact there are subtle differences between the colours and characteristics of Colombian stones originating from different mining areas within the country.

Buying jewellery online – your questions answered
The vast cost savings that can be achieved buying jewellery online are well known about but many people find the process a daunting one. If you follow some basic steps you can find truly breathtaking value for money without any risks or pitfalls.

Valentine’s Day – 5 unique jewellery gift ideas
With Christmas now a fading memory many of us are now looking ahead to the coming year and all that it may bring. In terms of treating those most dear to us, the next key event in the calendar is Valentine’s Day (Tuesday 14th February).

Ramat Gan – Israel’s diamond hub
Ramat Gan is a city located in the Tel Aviv District of Israel, to the east of Tel Aviv city, and it is home to one of the world’s largest diamond exchanges. It is also where you can find the Moshe Aviv Tower, the tallest skyscraper in Israel and this thriving metropolis is a technology hub.

Birmingham Jewellery Quarter
The Jewellery Quarter is a vibrant area in the south of the Hockley region of Birmingham which covers just over a square kilometre and contains a population of approximately 3,000 people. The Quarter contains Europe’s largest concentration of manufacturing jewellers, between them producing more than 40% of UK jewellery output.

Hatton Garden – the historic centre of the London gem trade
Situated on the edge of the historic old City of London, Hatton Garden has been at the centre of the gem and jewellery trade in London since the middle ages. London traditionally had streets, or quarters, dedicated to types of business or trades and Hatton Garden is one such surviving example.

The guide to buying fine jewellery
The archaeological record shows that people have been wearing items of jewellery for at least a hundred thousand years.

2017 – predictions for the diamond, coloured gem and jewellery market
As 2017 dawns many in the media and broader society at large are reflecting upon a tumultuous 2016 and pondering what may lie in store for the year ahead. For the gemstone and jewellery industry the past year has been a very mixed bag, in which there have been winners and losers, although the overall […]

The diamond market – 2016 in retrospect
Following a period of rapid diamond jewellery growth between 2012 and 2014, 2015 and 2016 have seen some moderation in the market. The USA saw 3% growth in sales in 2015, at a time when the market across Europe at Asia remained relatively flat. Rough diamond prices actually fell by 24% in 2015, as suppliers […]

Hybrid ecommerce – the future of the jewellery industry
(A template for an ecommerce jewellery website – functionality is key) Ecommerce has been slow to make a significant entry into the gemstone and jewellery market. However many industry analysts believe it is approaching a tipping point, beyond which it will gain significant momentum over the coming years. Indeed Forbes predict a doubling of the […]

China – the gem & jewellery giant awakens
China is now the world’s second largest economy and the largest manufacturer on the plant. Within that market, the jewellery sector has grown apace but the variety, design and raw materials are highly varied and do not follow any discernible patterns observed in other consumer markets.

Is CAD the future of jewellery design?
In the 21st century it is plain to see that computers have entered every aspect of our lives, and jewellery is no exception.

The 8 point guide to buying the perfect engagement ring
For most people an engagement ring is the most valuable and important jewellery purchase they will make in their life so getting it right is clearly important!

Sapphires – Australia’s bright gem of the future
When most people think of Australian precious gems their attention is often drawn to the world renowned Argyle mine (which is responsible for over 90% of global pink diamond supply) but in fact this vast island continent is home to one of the most suitable geographical locations for sapphires.

Laurence Graff – The King of Diamonds
Laurence Graff has earned the nickname the ‘King of Diamonds’ or the new Harry Winston as a self made billionaire and one of the most successful jewellers and gem dealers of our age.

The relentless drive toward ethically sourced jewellery
One of the key developments in the jewellery and gemstone industry in recent years has been the drive towards ethically sourced products.

Extraterrestrial diamonds – the long term future of gem production?
It has long been speculated that celestial bodies may contain vast quantities of precious metals and precious gems.

Koh-i-Noor diamond – fact versus fiction
The Koh-i-Noor is one of the world’s most famous and controversial precious stones. Dating back to the Mughal princes of pre-colonial era India, it has found its way into the possession of Persian warriors.

Back to the future – the fashion industry shines a light on the future for jewellery
Consumer appetite for jewellery is at an all time high and it is forecast to increase year on year by a compound of 5-6%, according to Forbes.

A guide to buying coloured gemstone jewellery
It is important to always buy any gem from a trustworthy dealer. Internet recommendations and reviews can be a good starting point, as can word of mouth.

Canada – the emergence of a gemstone giant
Until recently Canada was not considered an important producer of diamonds and most attention was focused upon Africa, Asia and Australia.

De Beers the rise and fall of a unique monopoly
When most people think of diamonds they immediately think of De Beers but it wasn’t always this way. Up until the mid nineteenth century few could afford diamond jewellery, apart from the super rich and royalty.

The beauty of the Kashmir sapphire
For many gem lovers the Kashmir is the King of blue sapphires. Kashmir is the only place on earth where sapphires are found in the deepest blue hues, without any other overtones.

The Burmese ruby
The Burmese ruby is by far the rarest and most valuable of the corundum stones and although the colours range from pinkish red to dark red the finest examples are termed pigeon blood red.

Indian gem industry – the engine of growth
The jewellery and gemstone industry in India contributes a quite remarkable 7% to the nation’s GDP and it is has been identified as one of the fastest growing areas of the economy.

Green greed – high jewellers flock to emeralds
Of the three precious coloured gems (rubies, sapphires & emeralds) emeralds are emerging as the most popular.

A guide to Afghan gems
The beleaguered nation of Afghanistan is very well known for its enduring conflict and political and social unrest.

Coloured gemstone mining
Right up to the 1930s coloured gemstones and diamonds each enjoyed roughly a 50% share of the global gem market.

A guide to buying antique jewellery
In the modern age of mass consumerism and instant communication there is a natural tendency to look back at times gone by with an air of nostalgia

Sale of the century – Elizabeth Taylor’s $137 million jewellery collection
Elizabeth Taylor (27 February 1932 – 23 March 2011) was one of the most iconic figures of her generation. Over the course of her life she built an unparalleled collection of jewellery which was sold at auction for $137 million by Christies in New York after her death.

The pros and cons of investing in coloured gemstones
Coloured gems as investment vehicles have attracted a lot of interest over the past 10 years, some have made healthy returns while others have had their fingers burnt so it is important to get the facts straight.

Harry Winston – the man behind the diamond legend
The name Harry Winston is now synonymous with the high end jewellery manufacturer but this disguises the fact that the man behind it was born with almost nothing.

Why Colombia produces the finest emeralds
Colombia has enjoyed a reputation as the premier emerald producing region of the world for the past 500 years and stones from this South American national have attracted some of the highest prices ever recorded for coloured gems.

10 tips to buying the perfect wedding ring
Given the complexity (not to mention the cost) of modern wedding planning it comes as no surprise that many couples often leave the buying of wedding rings to the last minute.

Are diamonds a girl’s best friend?
Natural diamonds were formed under immense tectonic pressure over 3 billion years ago, when the earth was only a third of the age it is today.

Sapphire – guide to the queen of gems
Sapphires have endured as one the key precious stones of choice for royalty and the well to do for many centuries but in more recent times they are becoming increasingly popular as the centre stone for engagement rings and bridal jewellery.

Game of Stones – the world’s 10 greatest gems
At a staggering 22,892 carats (4.58 KG), this stone holds the record as the largest polished yellow topaz gem in the world and one of the largest faceted gems of any kind.

A guide to buying rubies
Rubies, along with diamonds, emeralds and sapphires, are a precious gem in high demand. They are hard gemstones (although not as hard as diamonds), a quality that makes them fairly scratch resistant and practical to wear routinely, rather than just on special occasions.

Synthetic diamonds – the industry’s greatest challenge
One of the most widely reported developments in the precious stone market relates to the appearance of synthetic diamonds and the effect they may have on levels of supply and demand going forward.

Guide to looking after your jewellery
After your house (and possibly your car) jewellery forms one of the highest value categories of asset that most people own.

Fancy coloured diamonds & the 4 ‘C’s – everything you need to know
The value of a diamond is largely determined by its rarity. When it comes to white (or colourless) diamonds, that rarity is found in the absence of colour, however this is turned on its head with fancy colour diamonds because the rarest are those saturated in the deepest colours.

Buying coloured gems – 12 things to think about
Whether you are interested in rubies, sapphires, coloured diamonds or emeralds, consider the 12 points below to ensure you enter the market place fully equipped:

6 things to consider when buying fine jewellery for a woman
Many a man has come unstuck in the process of buying fine jewellery for the special lady in his life, the aim of this article is to help you avoid the common mistakes and find her that special piece she’ll treasure for the rest of her life.

Luxury brand building in the 21st century world
The economic growth of China over the past three decades has been phenomenal but the rate at which luxury brands, including designer jewellery, gems and watches, have expanded in the Far East is even more remarkable.

Green with envy – a guide to emerald engagement rings
From Cleopatra to Angelina Jolie, through Maharajas and Catherine the Great, emerald engagement rings and jewellery have been a must have for celebrity ladies.

The Guide to buying an engagement ring
Buying the perfect engagement ring used to mean setting aside 2 months’ salary and spending a huge amount of time scouring jewellers’ windows looking for a suitable design.

The Argyle diamond mine – fact versus fiction
In a few short decades, since its opening in 1983, the Argyle diamond mine in Western Australia has taken on an almost mythical status as the World’s premier source of pink and red diamonds.

The art and science of jewellery manufacture
The ancient craft of making jewellery can be traced back to the days of early man, archaeological evidence of which dates back more than 100,000 years.

Van Cleef & Arpels lead the way with emerald & diamond high jewellery
The level of detail that goes into the creation of fine jewellery is truly breathtaking! High jewellery designers Van Cleef & Arpels have developed a formidable reputation as industry leaders, most notably with their collections of coloured gem pieces.

Gemfields – Bellwether of the coloured gem market
Gemfields have become the market leaders in coloured gemstone production and their outlook for the market can only be described as markedly ‘bullish!’ Ian Harebottle, Gemfields CEO.

Fine gems & jewellery enter the digital age
The fine gems and jewellery industry has been slow to embrace the digital age and the current e-commerce share of this market stands at a mere 5%.

Purchasing an engagement ring from London DE: A & N
I have never written a blog, but I have just bought the perfect Engagement ring for my bride to be from London DE. In fact, I went through a selection of rings with my nearest and dearest and decided none were right for her or for us.

The provenance of the finest emeralds
Emeralds are a green to bluish-green variety of the mineral beryl. Traces of the elements chromium and vanadium give these precious stones their distinctive colour and hue.

Emeralds & coloured gemstones: clarity is King!
Chromium, the very element that gives emeralds their beautiful colour, also causes a brittleness that results in internal fissures that affect the clarity and this is further intensified by the fact that the emerald cut (the most common emerald shape) exacerbates the effects of this phenomenon.

The rise and rise of the coloured gem market
The coloured gem market has always fired the imagination of collectors but recent trends seem to suggest a marked increase in the trajectory of emeralds, rubies and sapphires as well as diamonds.

Certification: the art of the 5th ‘C’
Most people with an interest in gemstones have become very familiar with the much vaunted ‘four-Cs’ (cut, colour, clarity and carat) but the importance of the validity of a stone’s certificate in terms of assessing its value and provenance has often been overlooked.

2016: the year of the coloured gemstone…
In the view of the International Coloured Gemstone Association, it is clear that “Colombia will continue to be at the top of the list in terms of the countries in which fine emeralds are found.

The growth of coloured gemstone jewellery…
Diamonds and emeralds have adorned the jewellery of the wealthy and powerful ever since the time of Antony and Cleopatra and modern fashion trends seem to show that there is no let up in this fact.