Voice of Jewels

The Hope Diamond has lived through its own veritable Odyssey. From the time of its first sale in London at the beginning of the 18th century, all the way to its sudden appearance in Washington, hidden in a brown paper envelope with a two dollar postmark … This fabulous blue diamond is now at home under high-security glass in the Smithsonian Institute. And yet, this heavenly-colored gem still oozes...

Imagine a story at times tragic yet at other times magical with a lost diamond as its common thread… a blue diamond standing for hope and fortune, love and special feelings... The Heart of the Ocean, the jewel at the core of the Titanic movie's plot. But the Heart of the Ocean is no fictitious jewel. It was inspired by a real jewel and an equally famous diamond, the Hope diamond. Voice of Jewels,...

Wouldn't you say jewelry empowers us? Don't some jewels make us feel invincible ? Some stones and diamonds might. Take our blue diamond for example. In any case, that is how some kings felt as they collected gems, had them set on their crowns and had exuberant sets of jewelry and insignia designed as a means to display their power. The famous Golden Fleece King Louis XV had made for him is one of...

They say diamonds are forever… but is that really true? That said, it is true that some have been known to last a very long time, sometimes going through some rather unexpected transformations. The Great Blue Diamond is one of those. Its incredible tale is the stuff of legend and myth. Our journey takes us around the world, from the Indian empire to King Louis XIV’s court in Versailles. It is one...

They say diamonds are forever. Some have such a surprisingly rich tale to tell that you would think they had had one thousand and one lives! The Great Blue Diamond is one of those. Its barely believable story is the stuff myths are made of. Discover the Blue Diamond's One Thousand and One Lives, the latest podcast season of Voice of Jewels. A podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported...

Ever wondered why lovers kneel on one knee to ask, “will you marry me”? It’s actually less about the kneeling - it’s more about the ring… Engagement rings are part of a tradition which dates back to Ancient Rome. They symbolized a legally binding commitment, reserved for the most solemn of oaths. Pretty unromantic... Things have changed quite a bit since ancient times… asking somebody’s hand is so...

Did you know that in the trenches of World War I, soldiers made... jewelry? In the chaos and horror of war, love still exists! But how did a simple aluminum ring, fashioned in the midst of turmoil from a German shell, end up at the heart of one of the greatest love stories in literature? The wild love of Guillaume Apollinaire for the beautiful and rebellious Lou... This is the story of a rudimenta...

Diamonds are often thought to have been exclusively reserved for kings and queens, treasures meant for royalty. However, there is another category of individuals who adorned themselves with these precious gems, treating them as trophies and even weapons for liberation - the courtesans! At the forefront of these courtesans is a woman whose romantic destiny captivates hearts and even opens the Canne...

Look at me... That's what jewelry tells us. Because jewelry is always about gaze... and... feelings! But then, what do you do... when gazes have to remain secret? And feelings, clandestine?... What do you do in the case of a Secret Affair? That's exactly what Prince George, the heir to the English throne, wondered one day in 1785... He who was hopelessly (and scandalously) in love with a beautiful...

What do Bianca Castafiore and Rihanna have in common? What about the Andes Mountains and the Château de Versailles? And JRR Tolkien and James Cameron?   Here’s a hint: they’ve been around since the dawn of time. They’ve induced passion and powerful emotions. Sometimes quaint or ostentatious… They’re jewels. Whether connected with feelings or power, whether mythical, magical or romantic…their...