David's Blog

A boastful Roman general, a queen's wager and the most expensive supper in history. The legend of Cleopatra's pearl, told by a young servant who was there.

The invincible stone, the first diamond engagement ring, the cursed Hope, the Mountain of Light and the Cullinan sent by post: the legends of diamond.

Mughal emperors, a Persian conqueror, the Lion of Punjab and a ten-year-old Maharaja. A grandmother tells her granddaughter the story of the Mountain of Light.

A wink of light in a mine wall, the biggest diamond ever found, a decoy ship and a priceless parcel sent by ordinary post. The story of the Cullinan Diamond.

A Sun King, a stolen treasure, a fearless American heiress and a priceless package sent through the mail. A grandmother tells her grandson the story of the 'cursed' Hope Diamond.

The vein of love, rings with clasped hands, twin rings that join as one, secret poems inside the band and the legend of the Claddagh: a bride and her grandmother discover the lore of wedding rings.

Cut by hand for a world lit by candles: what makes old mine and old European cut diamonds glow, how to recognize them, and why they're so loved.

Georgian candlelight, Victorian snakes, Edwardian lace, Art Deco geometry, Retro gold and the mid-century solitaire: a simple guide to engagement ring styles through history.

One of a kind, made by hand, cut for candlelight and full of history: why so many couples choose antique engagement rings, and what to check before you buy.

A lightning fire, blue stones in the ashes, and a gem found in only one small corner of the world. The legend and true story of tanzanite.