Le Gemmologue

Bonhams puts atypical gems in the spotlight on May 23 and 24

by Marie Chabrol | May 14, 2017 | Auctions, Gemmology

Every year, I look forward to the Bonhams Natural History sales. A Bonhams tradition held in Los Angeles, these sales are full of treasures and rare and unusual gems, often from major dealers or collectors. I take great pleasure in trying to find out where the stones...

A course at the School of Jewelry Arts

by Marie Chabrol | May 1, 2017 | The meetings of the gemologist

A few days ago, I was lucky enough to be invited to attend a course at the École des Arts Joailliers, a place founded six years ago thanks to the support of the Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery house and located a stone’s throw from Place Vendôme, on Rue...

A ring offered by Napoleon sold at Osenat

by Marie Chabrol | Apr 23, 2017 | Auctions

It is a very nice piece of jewellery that was sold a few weeks ago in Fontainebleau, at Osénat, an auction house that specialises in souvenirs of the First and Second Empires. Caroline du Colombier On 26 March, the auction house sold a rare gold ring containing a...

André Stevens, the pastry chef who loved minerals

by Marie Chabrol | Apr 21, 2017 | The meetings of the gemologist

The first time I met André Stevens, he talked to me about minerals. He told me why he became interested in them and why he collected them. He talked about the colours and shapes that questioned him. Then I discovered photos of specimens that, if they looked real,...

Claire-Laurence Mestrallet, Director of the Jewelry Department at Adam’s Auctioneers

by Marie Chabrol | Apr 19, 2017 | The meetings of the gemologist

I am very happy to offer you a new portrait in the “Career” category. Today, I invite you to meet Claire-Laurence who works in Dublin, Ireland, and who tells you how she arrived in this country and how jewellery has taken such an important place in her...