Events & AwardsJun 18, 2024
Driehaus Museum Displaying Rare Jewels From Chicago CollectionsSourcingJun 20, 2024
Jewelry Expert Helen Molesworth to Release First Book
“Precious: The History and Mystery of Gems Across Time” will be available on Sept. 17.
Helen Molesworth’s new book, “Precious: The History and Mystery of Gems Across Time,” is a blend of gemology, history, pop culture, and her own story.
New York—Gemologist and jewelry expert Helen Molesworth has penned a new book, set to release this fall.
“Precious: The History and Mystery of Gems Across Time,” is a blend of gemology, world history, pop culture, and memoir.
The book traces gems from ancient Egyptian records and “forgotten hiding spots” to the high-stakes auctions of today, according to Random House Publishing Group’s Ballantine Books.
Molesworth, who currently works as the senior jewelry curator at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, has also been a professor of jewelry history at HEAD, an art and design school in Geneva, as well as managing director of the Gübelin gem academy in Hong Kong.
She spent 10 years as a jewelry specialist for Sotheby’s and Christie’s in London, where she led the sale of Princess Margaret’s private jewelry collection in 2006, as well as in Geneva, where she was responsible for “business-getting” for biannual multi-million-dollar Magnificent Jewels sales.
Throughout her time with the auction houses, she handled, researched, and valued many world-class gems and important collections.
In the book, she dives into the history of important gems—some of which she has personally handled—such as the Cheapside Hoard Emerald, the Graff Ruby, the Poltimore Tiara, and the Cullinan Diamond, among others.
Related stories will be right here …
“Precious: The History and Mystery of Gems Across Time,” is a blend of gemology, world history, pop culture, and memoir.
The book traces gems from ancient Egyptian records and “forgotten hiding spots” to the high-stakes auctions of today, according to Random House Publishing Group’s Ballantine Books.
Molesworth, who currently works as the senior jewelry curator at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, has also been a professor of jewelry history at HEAD, an art and design school in Geneva, as well as managing director of the Gübelin gem academy in Hong Kong.
She spent 10 years as a jewelry specialist for Sotheby’s and Christie’s in London, where she led the sale of Princess Margaret’s private jewelry collection in 2006, as well as in Geneva, where she was responsible for “business-getting” for biannual multi-million-dollar Magnificent Jewels sales.
Throughout her time with the auction houses, she handled, researched, and valued many world-class gems and important collections.
In the book, she dives into the history of important gems—some of which she has personally handled—such as the Cheapside Hoard Emerald, the Graff Ruby, the Poltimore Tiara, and the Cullinan Diamond, among others.
The narrative also includes stories of famous pieces, such as Lady Diana’s famous blue sapphire, Jackie Kennedy’s pearls, the curse of the Hope Diamond, and more.
“Beautifully written and superbly interesting, Helen Molesworth tells a compelling, global story of gems—their unending allure and continuing impact on human history,” said Tristram Hunt, director of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Having travelled extensively to gem shows and mine sites across the world, Molesworth also weaves the tales of her own travels into the book. She recounts her journeys to African diamond mines, Colombian emerald mines, and the sapphire-rich rivers of Sri Lanka.
While Molesworth has co-authored and published several works throughout her career, “Precious” is her first book for general readers.
The hardcover is $30, and it will be available for purchase on Sept. 17.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Recorded WebinarsSep 27, 2024
Watch: Prepare to Shine This Holiday SeasonThree members of JA's 2024 "20 Under 40" class join Amanda Gizzi and Lauren McLemore to share their tips for seasonal retail success.
CollectionsSep 27, 2024
Piece of the Week: Lalaounis’ Necklace is an Archaeological RevivalThe necklace, inspired by ancient artifacts, celebrates strength, endurance, and the natural world.
MajorsSep 27, 2024
Signet-Owned E-Tailer Rocksbox to Launch on AmazonRocksbox is the first banner owned by Signet to sell its jewelry through the retail giant.
Brought to you by
Why You Can't Miss JA New York This FallDon't miss this one-stop-shop in October, curated with buyers’ needs in mind.
EditorsSep 26, 2024
This New Bulova Documentary Is Perfect for History Buffs Like Me “America Telling Time: 150 Years of Bulova” dives into the watchmaker’s storied past, from its ad campaigns to the first women’s wristwatch.
Weekly QuizSep 19, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsSep 26, 2024
Marco Bicego Adds Stackable Designs to Masai CollectionThe new additions include flat coil rings, bracelets, and necklaces designed to layer elegantly.
MajorsSep 26, 2024
Kendra Scott Eyes Network, Product Expansion Following New Investment 65 Equity Partners has made a “significant” minority investment in the company, though founder Kendra Scott retains a majority stake.
Brought to you by
How to Increase Instagram Followers Naturally in 2024Growing your Instagram following organically is more important than ever in today's technological environment.
Policies & IssuesSep 26, 2024
Columbia Gem House Announces “Pebbles to Pines” FundraiserThe miner will be raffling off jewelry, donating all proceeds to reforestation efforts for some regions of America’s national forests.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2024
Lab-Grown Diamonds: A Threat or an Opportunity?Many lab-grown manufacturers in India are rethinking the earlier antagonism between lab-grown and natural diamonds.
Policies & IssuesSep 25, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.
CollectionsSep 25, 2024
Katey Brunini’s New Book Explores a Decade of DesignThe designer has also released a new “Bow” collection, named after the act of bowing down as a sign of respect.
CollectionsSep 25, 2024
Lagos' New Collection Is a Tribute to Its Bangkok StudioThe "Lagos Studio" capsule collection offers elevated statement styles with eclectic designs.
SurveysSep 25, 2024
Consumer Confidence Falls in September, Labor Market Worries PersistRespondents also showed a greater preference for buying goods over services.
ColumnistsSep 25, 2024
The Smart Lab: Increasing Your Click-to-Conversion RateEmmanuel Raheb says your website should be as elegant as your store, with high-quality images and a smooth and secure checkout process.
AuctionsSep 24, 2024
Sotheby’s To Offer 18th-Century Diamond Necklace, a ‘Sublime Survivor’ The jewel, which was worn to two British coronations and may contain diamonds tied to Marie Antoinette, could sell for almost $3 million.
IndependentsSep 24, 2024
Roland Brinker, Founder of Brinker’s Jewelers, Dies at 84He is remembered as a family man with a love for the game of golf.
Events & AwardsSep 24, 2024
The Jewelry Symposium Adds Half-Day to 2025 ShowTJS has added presentations to its now three-day event schedule, which will take place next summer in Detroit.
SourcingSep 23, 2024
Gemfields’ September Auctions Bring Mixed ResultsIts commercial-quality sapphire, corundum, and ruby sale yielded “healthy” results, while its emerald auction was weaker than expected.
Lab-GrownSep 23, 2024
Kay Jewelers, Monique Lhuillier Add Colored Lab-Grown Diamonds to ‘Bliss’ The expanded “Monique Lhuillier Bliss” collection features pink, blue, and yellow lab-grown diamonds.
Events & AwardsSep 23, 2024
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show Returns in JanuaryExhibitors can register now for the show, which is set for Jan. 9-13.
Events & AwardsSep 23, 2024
Longtime New England Jeweler to Receive Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementLux Bond & Green President and CEO John Green is receiving the honor for his devotion and service to the jewelry industry.
CrimeSep 20, 2024
Oregon Jeweler Sentenced to 20 Years for Stealing From, Defrauding Customers The former owner of Timeless Jewelers in West Salem pleaded guilty to nearly two dozen counts of theft and aggravated theft.
SourcingSep 20, 2024
Sally Morrison Takes on Larger Role as De Beers Zeros In On Category Marketing The company is poised to make a big push for natural diamonds this holiday season.
CollectionsSep 20, 2024
Piece of the Week: A Quokka Covered in Argyle Pink DiamondsAustralian jeweler Linneys’ smiling gold Quokka statue holds a leaf pendant with Argyle pink diamonds that detaches, becoming a necklace.
MajorsSep 20, 2024
Stuller Releases New Fine Jewelry CatalogThe 2025-2026 edition of “Fine Jewelry” includes 1,000 new styles with an expanded selection of lab-grown diamond jewelry.
ColumnistsSep 19, 2024
Peter Smith: Is That All There Is? Have We Peaked?Smith addresses fears about a plateaued market with a reminder that retailers who do it right always will have room to grow.
