Ceylon saphires

A charming brooch modelled as a bouquet of flowers made from old sapphires from Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and rubies © Keith Wallis

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.

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

Elizabeth Taylor’s book My Love Affair With Jewelry

Her enduring collection of jewelry has been eternalized with her book “My love affair with Jewelry”

 

Apart from writing this book, to share her celebrated passion for jewelry, she has partnered with Jack and Monty Abramov of Mirabelle Luxury Concepts in Los Angeles, California to introduce House of Taylor jewelry. “Something wonderful is about to happen” is the passion of the brand.