Gem Pursuit: An Antique Jewellery Podcast

Matthew and Fenia continue the story of Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, following his sixth voyage to the Mughal court, his encounter with the Peacock Throne, the rough stone later known as the Hope Diamond, and the restless final chapter of one of history's most important diamond dealers. Key Takeaways Tavernier's sixth voyage, dated in the transcript as 1664 to 1668, is presented as the journey that ma...

Before the Hope Diamond had a name or a curse, it passed through the hands of one remarkable Frenchman. This episode tells the story of Jean Baptiste Tavernier, a 17th-century merchant whose six voyages to the East changed the way Europeans understood gemstones forever. Born in Paris in 1605 to a family of map-makers and engravers, Tavernier grew up surrounded by maps and the merchants who traded...

Have you ever picked up a piece of antique jewelry and wondered how it got there? Behind every brooch, ring, or sapphire in a boutique window is a network of specialists: historians, gemologists, goldsmiths, appraisers, lapidaries, and dealers, each playing a role in the journey from discovery to display case. In this episode, Matthew Weldon of Courtville Antiques breaks down the ecosystem of the...

In this special Ask Me Anything episode of Gem Pursuit , Matthew Weldon answers your jewellery and gemstone questions from how antique jewellery can be dated without hallmarks, to what truly makes a great emerald, and how newcomers can begin building a career in the jewellery trade. Along the way, Matthew discusses men’s engagement rings, buying instinct versus expertise, the changing world of onl...

Was the legendary Orlov Diamond once the eye of a Hindu idol before becoming part of the Russian Crown Jewels? In this episode of Gem Pursuit, Matthew Weldon and Fenis Sigkoudi unravel the extraordinary story of the 189-carat diamond tied to Mughal emperors, Catherine the Great, theft, romance, and one of history’s greatest gem mysteries. www.courtville.ie Get social with Courtville, follow us on...

The Dresden Green Diamond is one of the rarest diamonds in the world and one of the most mysterious. Its vivid green colour looks almost unnatural… but it’s entirely real. In this episode, we explore how this extraordinary gem gets its colour from natural radiation deep within the Earth, why that makes it so exceptionally rare, and how it became one of Europe’s most treasured jewels. From royal co...

For generations, the antique jewellery trade has been built on discretion, reputation and knowledge passed quietly from one dealer to another. But that world is changing. In this episode of Gem Pursuit , Matthew sits down with The Jewel Geek to explore what it means to develop an eye for antique jewellery in a more open, digital age. From early experiences buying at auction to building a network o...

In this episode of Gem Pursuit , we tell the extraordinary story of one of history’s greatest lost diamonds - the legendary Florentine . A pale yellow diamond of almost 140 carats, the Florentine passed through some of Europe’s most powerful dynasties, from the Medici family to the Habsburg emperors, before disappearing in the chaos that followed the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. For more t...

In the second part of our diamond series, we turn from science to history. After exploring how diamonds form and how they are cut in Part I, this episode follows the extraordinary journey of the diamond through human history. From the ancient riverbeds of India to the great discoveries in Brazil and South Africa, we trace how diamonds moved across continents, empires and centuries. Along the way w...

Diamonds form over billions of years, deep within the Earth's mantle under unimaginable pressure. But what makes them truly extraordinary isn’t only what nature creates - it’s also what human hands choose to do next. In the first episode of our diamond series, we return to the stone we haven’t properly explored since the very early days of the podcast and ask a big question: where does nature end...

What is the most recognisable symbol in jewellery history? The heart. In this Valentine’s special episode of Gem Pursuit , Matthew Weldon and Fenia Sigkoudi explore the enduring story of the heart motif — a symbol that has carried secret messages, sealed romantic promises, and expressed devotion for centuries. We begin in the ancient world, where the heart was believed to be the centre of the soul...

Andy Warhol is one of the most recognisable artists of the 20th century, but after his death in 1987, it was what he owned that truly shocked the art world. Hidden inside his New York townhouse was a vast, obsessive, and deeply personal collection: furniture, fine art, kitsch, cookie jars, watches… and an extraordinary cache of jewellery he never wore in public. In this episode, we explore Andy Wa...

As the year turns, Matthew takes stock. In this New Year episode, he reflects on 2025 through the lens of a year spent travelling, learning, and paying close attention — from attending international fairs and events, to being nominated for and attending the TikTok Awards, and being elected to the Company of Goldsmiths in Dublin. The conversation then widens to eight years in business at the shop,...

In this festive special episode of Gem Pursuit, Matthew and Fenia answer your brilliant listener questions in a cosy, end-of-year Ask Us Anything special. From spotting the subtle clues that date antique jewellery, to underrated gemstones, lost craft techniques, emotional motifs, and even the idea of cursed pieces, this episode is a wide-ranging chat for anyone who loves jewellery history and stor...

Jane Morris was a muse of the Pre-Raphaelites, a central figure in the early Arts & Crafts movement and the quietly powerful presence at the heart of an influential artistic circle. In this episode, Matthew and Fenia explore the story behind Rossetti’s The Blue Silk Dress , focusing on the jewellery Jane wears and the symbolism carried within the portrait. Drawing only on what is known from su...

In this episode, we explore Andy Warhol’s silkscreen print portrait of Caroline of Monaco, created for Vogue in the early 1980s. We discuss the bold colours, big hair, bare-back pose, and the striking sapphire-and-diamond jewels that define the portrait’s 1980s style. We also look at the pop art movement, celebrity culture, and Caroline’s reputation as the “rebel princess”. Beyond the portrait, we...

In the latest episode of our Jewellery in Paintings series Matthew is joined by Courtville historian Fenia Sigkoudi to explore The Drake Jewel - a magnificent Renaissance pendant that intertwines art, politics and piracy! Once gifted by Queen Elizabeth I to Sir Francis Drake, the jewel tells an extraordinary story of ambition, power and symbolism. Matthew and Fenia trace how this locket became a s...

In this special episode of Gem Pursuit , we turn from the past to the present — and to one of the most daring jewellery thefts in recent memory. In October 2025, eight pieces of the French Crown Jewels were stolen in broad daylight from the Louvre’s Galerie d’Apollon. Valued at €88 million, the missing treasures include the tiara of Empress Eugénie and the emeralds of Empress Marie Louise — jewels...

In this brand new series of Gem Pursuit , we step into the world of fine art to uncover the jewels hidden on canvas. Jewellery in Paintings explores how artists captured the sparkle, symbolism, and status of gems throughout history. We begin with one of the most iconic images in Western art: Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring . Often called the “Mona Lisa of the North,” this enigmatic po...

Matthew and Alyce welcome back renowned antique jewellery specialist Michael Singer , Director of Acquisitions at Windsor , New York. Michael shares stories of some remarkable adventures from his decades in the trade including trading a 15th-century manuscript for a Kashmir sapphire, finding a one-of-a-kind Tiffany necklace with ties to the French royal family and bending the rules of an auction.....

We are delighted to be back from our summer mini-hiatus and have been busy working away on our exciting upcoming podcast series. We'll say no more about that for now.... In the meantime, something a little bit different - a solo Matthew episode, recorded at the Couture Show in Las Vegas back in May of this year. Courtville was exhibiting at the Antique Jewellery and Watch Show down the hall and we...

For our 100th episode of Gem Pursuit , we’re throwing it back to one of your Firm Favourites — the legendary house of Lalique. This special episode marks not just a podcast milestone, but also the 100-year anniversary of the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs — the defining moment of the Art Deco era, and a showcase for Lalique’s visionary designs. We revisit the artistry, innovati...

In this special series of Gem Pursuit , we put a spotlight on some of the most important Cartier pieces of the 20th century, currently on display at the V&A museum in London. In each episode, we take a closer look at a different extraordinary piece, uncovering its story, design, and place in jewellery history. This is your audio guide to the Opal Tiara, once worn by Mary Alice Cavendish, Duche...

In this special series of Gem Pursuit , we put a spotlight on some of the most important Cartier pieces of the 20th century, currently on display at the V&A museum in London. In each episode, we take a closer look at a different extraordinary piece, uncovering its story, design, and place in jewellery history. This is your audio guide to the diamond and rock crystal cuffs worn by screen legend...

In this special series of Gem Pursuit , we put a spotlight on some of the most important Cartier pieces of the 20th century, currently on display at the V&A museum in London. In each episode, we take a closer look at a different extraordinary piece, uncovering its story, design, and place in jewellery history. This is your audio guide to the Amethyst Bib Necklace, a vivid and sculptural piece...