Keith Wallis’s Book on Gemstones

Keith Wallis’s informative guide book to understanding, identifying and buying gemstones

 

Mr Wallis is a qualified gemologist who obtained his diploma as a Fellow of the Gemological Association of Great Britain in 1978. He writes concisely and is clearly well travelled himself. His stated aim is to demystify the complex and he has succeeded in producing a book that encourages the beginner not to be put off by the minefield that awaits the buyer who is unprepared – particularly when buying abroad.

The Tanzanite Story

Enjoy a preview of The Tanzanite Story DVD, an exclusive Jewelry Television™ production. This fascinating adventure journeys across Africa, through the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the wilds of the Serengeti, to discover Tanzanite: the gemstone a thousand times rarer than a diamond. Meet the fascinating people who bring us this legendary stone, and watch its amazing passage through the depths of the earth to the Tanzanian markets

One of a kind

As far as we know there is only one other pair of these diamond earrings bold and beautiful.

Queen Victoria’s Turquoise Brooch

A gold brooch given by Queen Victoria to one of her bridesmaids. The stones are turquoise, pearls and rubies © Keith Wallis

December Birth Stone Blue Topaz

December birth stone is blue topaz, For the Egyptians topaz was a very powerful amulet against harm, because they believed that topaz was a gemstone colored with the golden glow of the mighty sun god Ra. Topaz The Romans associated topaz with Jupiter, who also is the god of the sun. Legend has it that it dispels all enchantment.

The name “topaz” is thought to be derived from the Sankrit word tapas meaning fire. However, more likely, it probably derived its name from the Island of Topazos, in the Red Sea. Topaz comes in many colors such as blue, yellow, pink, brown, green and clear. Orange-red “Imperial” topaz is rare. Perhaps the most famous topaz is the clear, large specimen set in the Portuguese Crown, once mistaken for a diamond. Topaz is a beautiful light blue stone