He retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.
Sotheby’s Takes 500-Page Jewelry Reference Book Digital
“Understanding Jewellery” is available now in an app for tablets, offering an in-depth look at jewelry and gemstones from the 18th century to the present.

London—Thirty years after the release of the “Understanding Jewellery” reference book, Sotheby’s is making all the information plus some available digitally via a new app.
Sotheby’s specialists David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti wrote the original 500-page resource, which offers a look at the history, styles, and craft of jewelry from the 18th century to the present for professionals, collectors and enthusiasts.
The app features the full content of the book, plus new high-resolution images of approximately 1,000 pieces of jewelry in a visual library, as well as updated news and auction highlights.
It makes the information available in an interactive way, incorporating features like a search filter designed to create a seamless user experience, Sotheby’s said. The app can be used to identify gemstones and learn about the evolution of jewelry over two centuries.
Sotheby’s said the education app will continue to expand, with future developments including promotions of Sotheby’s’ events, fairs, and exhibitions.
It constantly will be updated with videos, images, and descriptions of sale highlights chosen by Bennett and Mascetti from upcoming jewelry auctions, accompanied by their personal comments and opinions.
It also will expand to include social features, allowing users to share images and text from within the app via email, message or Airdrop, and eventually allowing users to create their own virtual collection of jewelry and add personal comments.
“Understanding Jewellery” is available for $19.99 in the Apple Store and Google Play store. Due to the large amount of material and high-resolution images, it’s only designed for tablets, not computers or smartphones.
The Latest

The charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.

The organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.


The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.

Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Globally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.

The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.

Production at the mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories topped 1 million carats in Q2, the third consecutive quarter of growth.

A new slate of Learning Workshops will take place in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia.

The middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.

It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.

The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.

Jake Duneier and Danielle Duneier-Goldberg have stepped into the roles of CEO and president, respectively.

The “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.

The Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.

Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.

In addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.

The “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.

The seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.

The New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.

The trade-only event will host its debut fair in the Emerald City later this month.

Its sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.

For its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.

The jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.