Reports That Almost Made the Top 25
And here they are, some of our favorites that did not make the cut.
They were however all very close!
BBC Antiques Roadshow:
George Weil Suite of Jewels Surprises Everyone
By Jessica Janes For Mailonline
5 September 2024
Gary Roskin –
Roskin Gem News Report –
Who doesn’t enjoy watching Antiques Roadshow? Whether it’s hearing about a simple gift from a friend that turns out to be much more valuable than expected, the discovery of a significant jewel hidden in a shoebox in the closet, or a $7 trinket from a local thrift shop revealed to be a genuine period treasure, we all delight in the thrill of these wonderful stories. (And we love it even more when we recognize the on-air appraiser!)
This report highlights six jewels purchased at thrift shops, all created by jeweler and sculptor George Weil—some of whose works are featured in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Among these discoveries is a diamond ring described by its owner as “posh costume jewelry,” along with a bracelet and brooch. Together, the pieces were said to have been bought for about fifteen hundred pounds—a sum the buyer initially thought was quite a lot! Surprise!
Details of Rio Tinto’s “Beyond Rare” Tender:
Very Rare Lots: Argyle Pinks, Reds, & Violets, plus Two Large and Important Diavik’s – a Yellow and a Colorless!
The 2024 Beyond Rare Tender Rio Tinto Press Release –
Gary Roskin –
Roskin Gem News Report –
We have had the honor and privilege of covering the Argyle Pink Diamonds Tenders since the late 1990s. These magnificent, rare diamonds—featuring vivid and intense pinks, reds, violets, and blues—truly deserve exceptional recognition.
Although the Argyle Diamond Mine is now closed, Rio Tinto continues to showcase Argyle Pink Diamonds through exclusive auctions under the Beyond Rare label. The 2024 auction featured a stunning selection of pinks, reds, and violets, along with a yellow and a colorless diamond sourced from Rio Tinto’s Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada.
“Rio Tinto launches its 2024 Beyond Rare Tender”
Heritage Fall Signature® Auction:
Signed Pieces Have a Good Day at the House!
Gary Roskin –
Roskin Gem News Report –
We love covering auctions just as much as you love reading about them. We meticulously comb through the sales to find noteworthy pieces to highlight—whether it’s a significant Kashmir sapphire, a Burma spinel, a transitional cut or an old Asscher cut diamond, a gem-set wooden bangle, or a carved rock crystal bracelet. We’re here to bring these treasures to you.
In this Heritage Auction, seven of the top eight high-value sales were noteworthy diamonds. We also uncovered several important designers worth featuring, including Oscar Heyman, Verdura, Sabrina, Tiffany & Co., Drake, Nini, and J. Aragon—each showcasing something truly special!
L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts:
Exhibition in Singapore – “Ruby, Discover the Gemstones”
Les Jardins Secrets by Van Cleef & Arpels –
a Boutique and Museum in the Raffles Hotel Singapore
One of TWO L’ÉCOLE Asia Pacific, School of Jewelry Arts exhibitions we covered that almost made the top 25!
Here is the L’ÉCOLE Asia Pacific, School of Jewelry Arts’ exhibition, “Ruby, Discover the Gemstones”, its first in Les Jardins Secrets. This Ruby exhibition features images provided by one of the world’s finest award-winning gem photomicrographers, Billie Hughes, from Lotus Gemology in Bangkok.
Established in 2012 with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels, L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, is dedicated to introducing the public to the rich and multifaceted world of jewelry culture. With numerous exhibitions presented throughout the year, this particular display proved especially captivating.
For those intrigued by such exhibitions, they offer not only an opportunity to visit and learn, but also a wellspring of inspiration—whether for developing your own ideas or drawing from L’ÉCOLE’s innovative and educational approach.
L’ÉCOLE Asia Pacific, School of Jewelry Arts will present “Journey with Minerals”, an Exhibition in Partnership with the Renowned Mineralogy Museum of Mines Paris – PSL
Press Release –
L’ÉCOLE School of Jewelry Arts –
Here is the second of the TWO L’ÉCOLE Asia Pacific, School of Jewelry Arts exhibitions we covered that almost made the top 25!
Far more than just another press release, we explored L’ÉCOLE Asia Pacific, School of Jewelry Arts’ exhibition, “Journey with Minerals.” This remarkable showcase is a collaboration with the esteemed Mineralogy Museum of Mines Paris – PSL, curated by Eloïse Gaillou, Director of the Mineralogy Museum, and Didier Nectoux, Geologist and former Director of the Museum.
Watching the Paris Olympics? Check this out!
( Just in case You Missed This the First Time… )
Gary Roskin –
Roskin Gem News Report –
This summer, the Olympics came to Paris. And jewelers were anxious to create lasting Parisian memories in fabulous jewels. Louis Vuitton’s High Jewelry Collection: Awakened Hands, Awakened Minds, was one of the most spectacular, with its signature piece, featuring a 56.23 carats “warm champagne” color octagonal step cut center diamond – WOW! – and set into diamonds and rose gold architecture inspired by the base of the Eiffel Tower! Magnifique!
… and here is “the first time”: https://roskingemnewsreport.com/louis-vuitton-high-jewelry/
Tracing Pearls from Oyster to Counter:
RFID Tags Inside Cultured Pearls. GIA’s Pearl Reports
Include Traceability Info. Can it do More?
GIA Press Release –
the Gemological Institute of America
Roskin Gem News Report –
GIA’s Cultured Pearl Reports Include Traceability Information
Fukui Shell Nucleus Factory uses patented technology to trace cultured pearls
We were surprised. Were you?
Who knew that some company was putting a RFID tags inside cultured pearls? The Metakaku® bead nuclei is embedded with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. When identified by GIA’s Gem Lab, the cultured pearl will now receive a report comment with the unique RFID reference number of the pearl so its origin and movement along the supply chain can easily be tracked. According to both GIA and Fukui Shell Nucleus Factory, this technology will advance tracing capability and source transparency.
We can see that you are definitely interested in new technology and new lab results.
David and Daniela visit Six Lives: The Stories of Henry VIII’s Queens at the National Portrait Gallery – the Astrology of Finger Rings in Royal Paintings
Here is an intriguing intersection of history, art, and cultural traditions! David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti’s exploration of the custom of wearing rings through the lens of the wives of Henry VIII, adds richness to our understanding of personal adornments in the context of social, and even astrological influences. Rings have long served as symbols of power, status, and relationships, particularly in royal and noble circles.
The paintings of Henry VIII’s wives offer a rich visual narrative of how jewelry was used during the Tudor period—whether as symbols of marital status, wealth, or even spiritual significance.
Says Bennett, “Having been a practicing astrologer for over 25 years I had some clues to offer, and I can share these with you here.”
Who Wore What Jewels at the 2024 Emmy Awards: Stunning Red Carpet Moments
LauraLee –
WhoWoreWhatJewels.com –
LauraLee at WhoWoreWhatJewels.com always puts together a great red carpet feature highlighting the gems and jewels worn by celebrities. Her coverage gives us more information about the jewelry than any other coverage, so we are always pleased to give her a larger platform.
THREE more of the many WhoWoreWhatJewels.com reports that almost made it to the Top 25 are here….
The 2024 Emmy Awards are back, and so are the top jewelry looks, according to LauraLee at WhoWoreWhatJewels.com! “After last year’s SAG strike reshuffle, we’re finally seeing the stars step out this fall.
Jewels at the 2024 Music Television Video Music Awards!
LauraLee –
WhoWoreWhatJewels.com –
LauraLee is back, posting the jewels worn at this year’s Music Television Video Music Awards (MTV VMAs) and what do we see? Emerald Cuts are back! Along with lots of color! (… and that Tiffany Bird-on-a-BIG-Rock brooch – this time with a very large amethyst).
Who Wore What at the Met Gala?
Lauralee –
WhoWoreWhatJewels.com –
“When it comes to showcasing stunning jewelry, the Met Gala red carpet always steals the spotlight,” says Lauralee from Who Wore What Jewels. “Renowned as ’fashion’s grandest stage’ and arguably the pinnacle of haute couture events, the Met Gala never disappoints.”
Deceptive Diamond Fluorescence:
“Nothing is Always What it Appears”
Bear Williams, laboratory director –
Stone Group Labs –
What If?
We always want to be certain of our identification, especially now with the tough detection of natural vs. synthetic diamond. Fluorescence is an easy test to perform – and we love easy tests.
Using Long Wave UltraViolet can give us some clues as to the direction we should be leaning. While a blue fluorescence is supposed to have us lean fairly hard into the natural direction, there is a caution, and one that Stone Group Labs shares with us.
“Consider yourselves on notice – If you are using Long Wave ultraviolet to identify natural diamonds from synthetic diamonds, looking for the N3 blue-white fluorescence, then you should read this, as your test may not necessarily be giving you the results you have anticipated… “
How High Inflation may affect Real Cost of Gems:
Malawi, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, & Others
Gary Roskin –
Roskin Gem News Report –
Here is a feature story many of you read, finding out that we need to get outside our own country to fully understand the higher cost of gems. We need to look at “inflation.”
It’s not just about your own country’s inflation, but the source economy’s inflation as well.
There may be all sorts of other reasons for high steady pricing of gems (supply, demand, rising costs of mining equipment, fuel, shipping, travel, manufacture, etc…), however, you might have overlooked the significant role of inflation.
Following Renovation, the Yale Peabody Museum’s Mineralogy Galleries Reopen with Selections from One of the World’s Most Important Private Mineral Collections
Gary Roskin –
Roskin Gem News Report –
We are SO happy that you enjoyed this feature – our longest feature to date. While we try very hard to keep our features short and sweet, there was just no way to do the Peabody renovation justice by keeping it to only 1200 words. (It’s actually closer to 12,000 words)
The David Friend Hall, and the Yampole Family and the Mineral Trust collection on display is absolutely spectacular, and we recommend it – 5 stars – as a stop on your next visit to the northeast coast of the U.S.
This feature takes you on a tour of the gems & minerals galleries, with over 75 images. “The Yale Peabody Museum has reopened its halls of Minerals, Earth, and Space to the public, showcasing one of the world’s foremost collections of minerals.”
