Opals have me hooked because they drip with color!

One that uniquely spoke to me is this 0.65 carat black opal, responsibly sourced by Hopkins Opal from Australia's Lightning Ridge.

This stunner (and a few others) will help us briefly decode things to know and questions to ask when buying an opal or opal jewelry! You'll also learn important wear and care considerations about opal, some of which are shared with pearl.

Monica Gichuhi is a “rock star”.

Why?

Because she saw the challenges that artisanal and small scale miners face in East Africa and tackled them. This touches aspects including legal protections of artisanal mining, conflict, human rights, and gemstone education via PACT and GIA’s illustrated book “Selecting Gem Rough: A Guide for Artisanal Miners” to enable more equitable pay in the supply chain - for both men and women.Sit on our our videos conversation!

October is all about the history, science, and beauty behind opal!

Together with Hopkins Opal, we've outlined things to know about opal!

Beyond these responsibly sourced stunners from Australia, you'll be seeing incredible one-of-a-kind pieces from Original Eve, Jolly Bijou, and Thesis Gems!

From our ancient ancestors, to royalty, to clergy, the consensus throughout time is that sapphires are “divine”. To me they are "divine" because they can be any color of the rainbow, except red, which would make them a ruby!

What do artisanal mining communities look like and how are they different from industrial scale mining?

As Adrianne Sanogo and I introduce this topic, we present the landscape as we understand so far.

Peridot is the only gemstone that shares the same origin as diamond: deep in the Earth's mantle (a-la lava and meteorites), not in the crust. It's also one of the earliest recorded gemstones mined in history. It was the “gem of the sun” to Egyptians and to ancient Romans it deterred jealousy. On the topic of Rome, you'll see Dubini Jewellery's authentic ancient coins, set off by the juicy hues of peridot.

Oh, the spell of Spinel! For centuries spinel was mistaken as ruby or sapphire, which is why it bears the name “the great imposter”. Together, with Roger Dery, we outlined things to know and questions to ask about spinel!

What does eco, ethical, and sustainable really mean for jewelry?

It can be very confusing and it is important to distinguish claims from facts.

Thoughtful designers definitely do their best in responsibly sourcing "jewelry ingredients" that are traceable in a way that supports people, their skills, and the natural environment - be it land or sea.

Together, Adrianne Sanogo, GIA Graduate Gemologist and All The Brilliants explore these topics and things to consider to make an informed choice that reflects your values.

It's July, so I bring you The Skinny on Ruby!

More rare than diamonds, ruby was significant to our ancient ancestors, least not because its hue resembles the blood flowing through our bodies, bringing us life.

Its legend as a “protector” evolved across civilizations in a variety of ways.

Together with Nash James, we've outlined things to know and questions to ask about ruby!

It is said that “pearls wanat to be worn”. This is absolutely true because wearing your pearls prevents them from dehydration!

With this in mind, discover wear and care tips for pearls!

Classic white pearls can be the same color, shape, and size, yet have very different price points! Join me as I decode this with a pearl value game!

To pearl girls near and far, The Skinny on Pearl is for you! Our ancient ancestors discovered this luminous “Queen of Gems” while seeking food from the sea - and pearls have been a global sensation ever since.