Journal

Natural star sapphires and a star ruby with six-rayed stars on a display tray
Star Sapphires and Star Rubies: How the Star Forms and How to Choose One
What creates the six-rayed star in star sapphires and star rubies, the colours they come in, how to judge a fine star, natural versus synthetic stars, and how to buy... Read more...
Two rose gold plated 925 sterling silver sapphire heart bracelets on the wrist
How to Clean Gold-Plated Sterling Silver Jewellery
A gentle cleaning routine for gold, rose gold and rhodium plated 925 silver, with stone-by-stone notes for sapphire, ruby, emerald, pearl and opal, and the methods to avoid. Read more...
Stack of pink and blue sapphire heart bracelets worn together, a birthstone push present idea
Push Present Ideas: Birthstone Jewellery She'll Wear Daily
Practical push present ideas for new mums: birthstone bracelets, secure studs, zodiac pendants and more, plus what makes jewellery comfortable to wear with a newborn. Read more...
Natural royal blue emerald-cut sapphire held between two fingers
How to Tell If a Sapphire Is Real (and When to Ask a Lab)
Is it sapphire, is it natural, and has it been treated? What you can check at home with a loupe, which popular tests to skip, and when a lab report... Read more...
Pink sapphire heart bracelets in rose gold, rhodium and yellow gold plated 925 sterling silver
Is Gold-Plated Sterling Silver Good? An Honest Guide
Gold-plated sterling silver gives you the look of gold on a solid precious-metal base. Here is how it compares with vermeil, gold-filled and solid gold, how long plating lasts and... Read more...
Zodiac constellation coin pendant in yellow gold plated 925 silver with the sign set in lab-grown diamonds
What Is a Constellation Necklace? Meaning and Buying Guide
A constellation necklace maps the stars of a zodiac sign. Here is what it means, how it differs from a zodiac sign necklace, which birthstone suits each sign, and what... Read more...
Close up of a natural pink sapphire heart on a yellow gold plated 925 silver chain
Ruby vs Pink Sapphire: What's the Difference?
Ruby and pink sapphire are the same mineral, corundum. The only difference is how red the stone looks. Here is how labs draw the line, how prices compare and how... Read more...
Pink and blue sapphire heart bracelets in 925 sterling silver with yellow gold finish on a display
The Heart Drop: 22 Natural Sapphire Heart Bracelets, Now Live
A limited batch of 22 bracelets: a natural 4 mm pink or blue sapphire heart on 925 sterling silver, in yellow gold, rose gold or white. Made for everyday wear. Read more...
Tray of calibrated multicolour tanzanite in pastel yellow, peach, lavender and blue
Precious vs Semi-Precious Gemstones: What the Labels Really Mean
Diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald are called precious. What makes them rarer and more valuable than other gems, what the price and auction data show, and how experts judge any... Read more...
Pastel sapphires in fancy geometric cuts
Inside the Stone Box: Pastel Sapphires, Emeralds and a Royal Blue Oval
What crossed our sorting table this season: a parcel of emeralds, pastel sapphires in fancy cuts, a pink heart in yellow gold and one royal blue oval we keep coming... Read more...
Untreated no-oil Colombian emerald, 1.82 ct oval, on a black background
Untreated, Heat Only or Minor Oil? How to Read a Gemstone Treatment Label
Most coloured gemstones are treated in some way. Here's what "untreated", "heat only", "minor oil" and "glass filled" really mean, and how each one affects value and care. Read more...