When people today talk about jewels, jewellery, gemmology and gems it is clear the vocabulary has become confused. Gemstones are treasured minerals found in the earth. ‘Gems’ are the objects fashioned from them. Jewels are gem ready for mounting into jewellery and other objects of art. And, jewellery – it is the finished product that if its designer from Cupid to Cartier has succeeded, adorns its wearer well.

Click here to read more of this article

Mrs. Wallis Simpson, later the Duchess of Windsor, was an enthusiast of jewellery, fashion and the prevailing modern style. The stunning jewellery fashioned for her by Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, Belperron and Harry Winston and given to her in love by her Prince, King, or was it a Duke, inscribed ‘My Wallis from her David’ says it all. What more could any woman want than a man who would give up being a King for love.

Click here to read more of this article

England’s Prince Regent George, Prince of Wales, later George IV (1762 – 1830) scandalized the nation with his reckless and lavish living habits. He gave an impressive love gift a diamond riviére (a necklace of precious stones, generally set in one strand) to his mistress Elizabeth, Lady Conyngham, who reputedly received gifts of jewels valued at the time in the region of 80,000 pounds.

Click here to read more of this article