Stories of Gems

Faberge eggs are beautiful and exquisite objects. Combined with their ownership by an eccentric, out-of-touch royal family, they create a compelling and tragic story.

In this post, I’d like to focus on how jewelry can create beauty and hope in times of war. Like a previous post about the bird pins made by the Japanese during their internment, these bird pins are also from the World War II era. They also have real sentimental value. But our location has changed. Instead of America, we find ourselves in occupied France. With Cartier. Perhaps you think of watches when I say Cartier, but Cartier was all about jewelry. Founded in 1847, they w

Everything is green now that spring is officially here! And that has me thinking about flowers! I recently came across this designer I hadn’t heard of before, this guy who made these absolutely exquisite and lifelike orchid pins. So of course I had to find out more! It turns out they were made by a jewelry designer named Paulding Farnham, who worked for Tiffany from 1875 (at the age of 16) to 1908. Take a look at the pin below. Gorgeous, right? That’s just one example! Vinta

Let's celebrate the amazing female jewelry designer Suzanne Belperron!

Learn about America's first gemologist, George Kunz, and how he changed the colored stone market in America through his work at Tiffany's.

True confession: I love Princess Kate! For me, she is my aspirational style icon! I love how she always looks classy and elegant. I love how she’s showed you can be modern and causal, but still stylish. And she introduced me to nude heels!! There has been plenty written about what Kate wears clothing-wise, but not as much about her always fabulous, on point jewelry! So let’s take a look see at Kate’s best jewelry! Kate’s best jewelry Kate is skilled (or her stylist is) at

Today, watches and jewelry are often grouped together, sold together at department store counters and combined in lots at auctions. Beautiful timepieces and beautiful gemstones have a lot in common - attention to detail and superb craftsmanship. But it wasn't always that way. Watches have a unique history, their connection to wartime and how we came to wear them on our wrists. You may think wristwatches are a thing of the past, because now you have your phone. But don't forge

Angelina Jolie donates citrine jewelry to the Smithsonian.

Today, Estee Lauder is up for my Women of Influence (for Women’s History Month) series. She’s another cosmetics maven. And if you’ve ever...

Alright, gem gals, my Women of Influence series (for Women’s History Month) continues with the amazing Helena Rubenstein. She originally...

Today is Mary Todd Lincoln’s birthday, and while you may not know anything about her, trust me when I tell you she LOVED jewelry! Mary...

So many times, I hear actors on the red carpet gush about their jewelry, and then the name – Harry Winston. He seems responsible for decking out a ton of Hollywood ladies and I got to wondering – who is this guy?! So, it turns out Harry Winston is not actually alive anymore. His company is still around, though, and that’s what people are referring to. The man himself died in 1978. <img class=" wp-image-5361 lazyload" src="https://valthegemgal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/h

Oh, Meghan! I’m so excited to have an American join the royal family! I was a complete royal nerd, and streamed the royal wedding on my...

We are past the World War II era, but we’re still talking about beautiful bird pins that tell a story. Today, I’ll tell you about a...