Events & AwardsJun 18, 2024
Driehaus Museum Displaying Rare Jewels From Chicago CollectionsSourcingJun 20, 2024
Jewelry Expert Helen Molesworth to Release First Book
“Precious: The History and Mystery of Gems Across Time” will be available on Sept. 17.
Helen Molesworth’s new book, “Precious: The History and Mystery of Gems Across Time,” is a blend of gemology, history, pop culture, and her own story.
New York—Gemologist and jewelry expert Helen Molesworth has penned a new book, set to release this fall.
“Precious: The History and Mystery of Gems Across Time,” is a blend of gemology, world history, pop culture, and memoir.
The book traces gems from ancient Egyptian records and “forgotten hiding spots” to the high-stakes auctions of today, according to Random House Publishing Group’s Ballantine Books.
Molesworth, who currently works as the senior jewelry curator at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, has also been a professor of jewelry history at HEAD, an art and design school in Geneva, as well as managing director of the Gübelin gem academy in Hong Kong.
She spent 10 years as a jewelry specialist for Sotheby’s and Christie’s in London, where she led the sale of Princess Margaret’s private jewelry collection in 2006, as well as in Geneva, where she was responsible for “business-getting” for biannual multi-million-dollar Magnificent Jewels sales.
Throughout her time with the auction houses, she handled, researched, and valued many world-class gems and important collections.
In the book, she dives into the history of important gems—some of which she has personally handled—such as the Cheapside Hoard Emerald, the Graff Ruby, the Poltimore Tiara, and the Cullinan Diamond, among others.
Related stories will be right here …
“Precious: The History and Mystery of Gems Across Time,” is a blend of gemology, world history, pop culture, and memoir.
The book traces gems from ancient Egyptian records and “forgotten hiding spots” to the high-stakes auctions of today, according to Random House Publishing Group’s Ballantine Books.
Molesworth, who currently works as the senior jewelry curator at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, has also been a professor of jewelry history at HEAD, an art and design school in Geneva, as well as managing director of the Gübelin gem academy in Hong Kong.
She spent 10 years as a jewelry specialist for Sotheby’s and Christie’s in London, where she led the sale of Princess Margaret’s private jewelry collection in 2006, as well as in Geneva, where she was responsible for “business-getting” for biannual multi-million-dollar Magnificent Jewels sales.
Throughout her time with the auction houses, she handled, researched, and valued many world-class gems and important collections.
In the book, she dives into the history of important gems—some of which she has personally handled—such as the Cheapside Hoard Emerald, the Graff Ruby, the Poltimore Tiara, and the Cullinan Diamond, among others.
The narrative also includes stories of famous pieces, such as Lady Diana’s famous blue sapphire, Jackie Kennedy’s pearls, the curse of the Hope Diamond, and more.
“Beautifully written and superbly interesting, Helen Molesworth tells a compelling, global story of gems—their unending allure and continuing impact on human history,” said Tristram Hunt, director of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Having travelled extensively to gem shows and mine sites across the world, Molesworth also weaves the tales of her own travels into the book. She recounts her journeys to African diamond mines, Colombian emerald mines, and the sapphire-rich rivers of Sri Lanka.
While Molesworth has co-authored and published several works throughout her career, “Precious” is her first book for general readers.
The hardcover is $30, and it will be available for purchase on Sept. 17.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsAug 26, 2024
Longtime Industry Sales Trainer Lenny Zell Dies at 97Said to be the first to write a jewelry sales manual for the industry, Zell is remembered for his zest for life.
WatchesAug 26, 2024
IWC Is Sending Its Watches to SpaceThe company outfitted the Polaris Dawn spaceflight crew with watches that will later be auctioned off to benefit St. Jude’s.
AuctionsAug 23, 2024
Abernethy Pearl Tops Estimates at Auction A buyer paid more than $100,000 for the gemstone known as “Little Willie,” setting a new auction record for a Scottish freshwater pearl.
Brought to you by
Watch: Natural Diamonds: A Great (but Often Untold) Geology StorySupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA.
CollectionsAug 23, 2024
Piece of the Week: Gumuchian’s Colorful ‘Spectrum’ NecklaceAnita Gumuchian created the 18-karat yellow gold necklace using 189 carats of colored gemstones she spent the last 40 years collecting.
Weekly QuizAug 23, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsAug 22, 2024
Kaley Cuoco Has a Three-Stone Engagement Ring With a TwistThe three-stone ring was designed by Shahla Karimi Jewelry and represents Cuoco, her fiancé Tom Pelphrey, and their child.
CollectionsAug 22, 2024
Greenwich St. Jewelers Collabs with TikTok Jewelry Content CreatorThe Manhattan jewelry store has partnered with Xarissa B. of Jewel Boxing on a necklace capsule collection.
Brought to you by
Watch: Forging the Next Generation of Skilled Bench Jewelers at GIASupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
TechnologyAug 21, 2024
Instagram’s Notes Feature Expands to Posts, ReelsActing as temporary virtual Post-it notes, Notes are designed to help strengthen mutual connections, not reach new audiences.
TrendsAug 21, 2024
Carol Woolton To Release New BookThe jewelry historian discusses the history and cultural significance of jewelry throughout time and across the globe.
TrendsAug 21, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: Shimmy and ShakeFrom fringe and tassels to pieces that give the illusion they are in motion, jewelry with movement is trending.
IndependentsAug 20, 2024
Mixed-Media Jewelry Artist Jan Yager Dies at 72The designer and maker found community around her Philadelphia studio and creative inspiration on the sidewalks below it.
ColumnistsAug 20, 2024
Google Ads Payment Policy Change: What It Means For YouThe change to accepted payment methods for Google Ads might seem like an irritation but actually is an opportunity, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
IndependentsAug 20, 2024
Pat Henneberry Releases MemoirThe industry consultant’s new book focuses on what she learned as an athlete recovering from a broken back.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2024
The Ethical Gem Fair Is Going to CaliforniaThe fair will take place on the West Coast for the first time, hosted by Altana Fine Jewelry in Oakland, California.
MajorsAug 20, 2024
Kathy Hillelson Joins Board of WJA Foundation Hillelson is a second-generation diamantaire and CEO of Owl Financial Group.
Events & AwardsAug 19, 2024
Nominations Are Open for the 2025 Gem AwardsSubmissions in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Excellence will be accepted through this Friday, Aug. 23.
AuctionsAug 19, 2024
Scotland’s Famed Abernethy Pearl Is Up for Sale Known as “Little Willie,” it’s the largest freshwater pearl found in recent history in Scotland and is notable for its shape and color.
IndependentsAug 19, 2024
Kentucky Jeweler Closing After 89 YearsClements Jewelers in Madisonville cited competition from larger retailers and online sellers as the driving factor.
CrimeAug 16, 2024
Jewels Stolen During Green Vault Heist Back on DisplayMost of the 18th century royal jewelry taken from the Green Vault Museum in Dresden, Germany, in 2019 went back on display this week.
IndependentsAug 16, 2024
Louis Anthony Jewelers Announces First Resort StoreThe Pittsburgh jeweler has opened a store in the nearby Nemacolin resort.
CollectionsAug 16, 2024
Piece of the Week: Jonne Amaya’s ‘Cat Claw’ NecklaceWith a 40-carat cabochon emerald, this necklace is as powerful and elegant as a cat.
Events & AwardsAug 16, 2024
IJO Names Jewel-Craft as VIP Vendor of the YearThe Erlanger, Kentucky-based company was recognized for its reliability when it comes to repairs and fast turnaround times.
SourcingAug 15, 2024
Greenland Ruby Is Up For SaleUnable to pay its debts, the ruby and sapphire miner is looking to restructure and become a “competitive and attractive” company.
TrendsAug 15, 2024
Paola De Luca to Debut Trendbook 2026+ at VicenzaoroThe trend forecaster’s latest guide has intel on upcoming trends in the jewelry market.
Events & AwardsAug 15, 2024
Heather Ingraham Awarded WJA Helene Fortunoff Scholarship Ingraham said she’ll use the scholarship funds to attend the Women’s Leadership Program at the Yale School of Management.
IndependentsAug 15, 2024
DC Jeweler Schools Students About Jewelry Via Summer ProgramMoijey Fine Jewelry & Diamonds held a three-week “Mine to Finger 3D Jewelry Program.”
