Gem Pursuit: An Antique Jewellery Podcast

Part II - Celestial Motifs

Our fifth season of Gem Pursuit feat. Matthew Weldon & Alyce Ketcher is called 'Treasured Tokens: the Secret Language of Jewellery'

This week we are looking to the skies and thanking the gods for celestial symbols that have been inspiring beautiful art & jewellery for longer than anyone can remember.

Producer: Ross Hannon

Additional Research: Giulia Grasseschi

www.courtville.ie

Part I - The Claddagh Ring

Our fifth season of Gem Pursuit feat. Matthew Weldon & Alyce Ketcher is called 'Treasured Tokens: the Secret Language of Jewellery'

We go back to the origins of this extremely popular Irish symbol of love, loyalty and friendship to discover that its history stretches back a little further than one might think...

We try to separate fact from fiction in the story of who made the very first Claddagh ring.

And as always we'll have specific jewellery stories, collector's tips and a brand new (but unchanged) edition of Gem Trivial Pursuit.

Producer: Ross Hannon

Additional Research: Giulia Grasseschi

www.courtville.ie

It's a little Gem Pursuit bonus episode, featuring an interview with Matty's Dad and one of the foremost experts on antique Irish silver, Jimmy Weldon.

We sat down for a lovely chat (rudely cut short by a very loud machine on the street - the perils of recording in Dublin city!) about the history of silver in Ireland, how to spot a good piece of silver and why he has been so drawn to it over the years.

We hope you enjoy Jimmy's mellifluous tones, vast knowledge and delightful passion for beautiful objects.

View our sterling silver collection.

Producer: Ross Hannon

www.courtville.ie

It's the final instalment in our Firm Favourites series, and we're back to Paris for a bumper episode about the one and only jewellery giant that is Cartier.

King Edward VII famously described Cartier as "the Jeweller of Kings and the King of Jewellers" but as you'll learn in this episode, he wasn't the only one who thought so.

Among other things we discuss King Lear, the Patiala necklace, Platinum, Panthers and the origins of the modern wristwatch.

We've talked about Cartier in almost every episode, such is their dominance of the jewellery world, but we dug up some brand new Cartier stories for you this week.

And don't forget to listen to the end for the conclusion of this season's very tightly contested Gem Trivial Pursuit!

Producer: Ross Hannon

www.courtville.ie

Part 5 (or perhaps it should be part V) of our Firm Favourites series, is the Ancient Rome-inspired luxury jewellery house BVLGARI.

This Italian giant led the way in so many ways during the last century of fine jewellery design. We talk serpent motifs, coin collections, chunky yellow gold, cabochon cuts and, of course, Elizabeth Taylor!

As always, listen to the end to for another battle of Gem Trivial Pursuit!

Producer: Ross Hannon

www.courtville.ie

Part 4 of our 'Firm Favourites: Jewellery Houses That Reign' series is about the King of Diamonds himself, Harry Winston.

The American's love of precious gems was legendary and it would be hard to find a diamond of note that didn't pass through his hands at some stage or another. Matty and Alyce swap stories about some of his most well-known acquisitions as well as some of the ingenious marketing strategies that set his Harry Winston, Inc apart.

And of course do listen to the end to join us for another round of Gem Trivial Pursuit!

Producer: Ross Hannon

www.courtville.ie

Part 3 of our 'Firm Favourites: Jewellery Houses That Reign' series has a distinctly French feel as Matty and Alyce discuss the Parisian jewellery giants Van Cleef & Arpels.

VCA have a reputation for being one of the most innovative jewellery firms in history and we put some of their most remarkable designs under the microscope such as the inimitable mystery setting and the marvellous Zip necklace. We also reveal the reason why you will never find opals in antique Van Cleef pieces.

And of course do listen to the end to join us for another round of Gem Trivial Pursuit!

Producer: Ross Hannon

www.courtville.ie

It's the second part of our 6-part series called 'Firm Favourites: Jewellery Houses That Reign'. This episode is about what was arguably the greatest jewellery house that ever existed: Fabergé.

There is so much to talk about with Fabergé. We get technical and discuss the legendary Russian firm's pioneering enamel work, Alyce professes her undying love for Carl, we of course talk about the incredible imperial eggs and how it all came to a very sad and abrupt end.

Producer: Ross Hannon

www.courtville.ie

It's the first installment of a new 6-part series called 'Firm Favourites: Jewellery Houses That Reign'. This episode is about the oh-so-beloved American jewellery giant known as Tiffany & Co.

In this episode we discuss its 19th century origins, the quintessential styles that we see in antique Tiffany pieces and some of the innovative marketing techniques that embedded the name 'Tiffany' into hearts and minds the world over.

We also swap stories about famous pieces and even more famous clientele!

Producer: Ross Hannon

www.courtville.ie

We hope you enjoy this surprise bonus episode, all about that most precious and most coveted of all metals...GOLD!

Matty and Alyce go through how to identify and value gold, talk about how it came to be used in jewellery and discuss the folklore and mythology surrounding it while also revealing some of the most significant gold discoveries in history.

Producer: Ross Hannon

www.courtville.ie