Gem Pursuit: An Antique Jewellery Podcast

Gem Pursuit goes Stateside!

In front of a live audience at the Original Miami Beach Antique Show 2025, Matthew and Alyce tell the incredible story of Jack Roland Murphy - AKA Murph the Surf - one of the most notorius jewellery thieves in US history.

Hear the details of the infamous heist of the Museum of Natural History in New York where he and his crew managed to steal the Star of India sapphire before it all went horribly wrong...

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Matthew and Alyce start off the year with a quick visit to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, one of the most impressive gemstone and mineral collections in the world.

Alyce puts Matthew's gem knowledge to the test, while Matthew concentrates on keeping them both out of trouble...

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In our final Gem Pursuit episode of the year, we answer some of our listeners burning antique jewellery questions.

Matthew and Alyce reveal what's in their own personal collections, clear up which is the most valuable colour for sapphires and shed some light on the significance of colour seasons when choosing that dream piece of jewellery, as well as answering many more insightful questions from the Gem Pursuit community.

There may or may not also be a festive duet of Auld Lang Syne to serenade you into 2025...

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Our final icon in this series is Alyce's all time favourite, La Doña, Maria Felix, the Mexican film star who was renowned for her exquisite beauty and charisma.

Alyce and Matthew discuss her phenomenal jewellery collection which included the Ashoka diamond as well as taking another look at her iconic serpent and crocodile necklaces from Cartier.

We also share some important advice on what to look out for when buying serpent jewellery, while Matthew and Alyce go head to head in the final round of Gem Trivial Pursuit!

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The life of Evalyn Walsh McLean - a mining heiress and socialite in the early 20th century - is perhaps the quintessential story of the American dream.

Her Jewellery Icon status was never in doubt due to her ownership of two of the most legendary diamonds in history - the Hope Diamond and the Star of the East.

Matthew and Alyce also discuss the curse of the Hope Diamond and its origins, while Alyce makes it very clear how she feels about jewellery thieves.

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In this episode, we shine the spotlight on a modern-day jewellery icon known for her signature flair—Rihanna. Known for her trailblazing style and unapologetic love for luxury, the Caribbean queen has become one of the most captivating jewellery icons of our time.

Matthew spills the tea about the time he met Rihanna while Alyce takes the opportunity to once again maneovre the conversation towards tiaras.

We also look at a few standout pieces, from her Met Gala stunners to her legendary Superbowl half time show, and explore how she uses antique jewellery to express power, confidence, and individuality.

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In this episode we put the spotlight on the Queen of Diamonds herself - and maybe the most talked about person in the history of the podcast - Elizabeth Taylor.

Alyce takes an educated guess at Liz's love language as well as the possible origin of this lifelong fixation while Matthew drools over the jewels.

We also provide an alternative perspective on her infamous eight marriages and discuss some of the key pieces in her enormous collection incuding the Krupp Diamond (aka the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond) and the Taylor-Burton Diamond.

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In the first episode of the new Icons of Jewellery series, Matthew and Alyce look at the life and legacy of the iconic French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and his immense influence on jewellery.

Alyce finds some big clues to Napoleon's attachment style in his love letters to Josephine while Matthew has ample opportunities to display his command of the French language.

We also discuss the incredible two-stone 'moi et toi' engagement ring, his so-called 'push present' to his second wife Marie-Louise, the meaning and significance behind his famous laurel leaf crown and why he intentionally made the Pope's crown too small.

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Jewellery and history lovers listen up, we’re taking you on a Courtville field trip to one of Ireland’s most fascinating museums. 

The National Museum of Ireland is filled with 4000 year old treasures and insights into the lives of our ancestors. Matthew and Alyce went to see some of the incredibly preserved jewellery and were absolutely blown away by pieces including incredibly crafted fibula brooches, huge gold torcs and mesmerising lunula. They share what they learned about jewellery in ancient Ireland and the ways it may have been used or worn, along with sharing their favourite pieces. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• The extensive collection of the National Museum of Ireland 
• Bronze age jewellery including fibula, torcs and lunula
• Intricate and creative craftsmanship that was muted by colonialism 
• Irish Gold, difficult to find but incredible to see 
• Bog preserved bodies and artifacts that give us a look into the past 

MORE INFORMATION

https://www.courtville.ie/ 

Social Media

• IG - @CourtvilleAntiques
• FB - @Courtvilleantiques
• Tik Tok - @matthew.weldon    
• YouTube - @courtvilleantique
• Pinterest - @courtville

QUOTES

Sometimes you forget, in little old Ireland, these gems that we have here. - Matthew Weldon 

It's really crazy to think that people were walking around wearing these at 700 BC. - Alyce Ketcher 

It’s a very high level of intelligence, to be able to create these things, or even have in your mind to design and then create it with the materials that you have at hand. - Alyce Ketcher 

We have so much gold! - Matthew Weldon

The gold, the bronze, the other metals and the other items that are found, it gives us a really good indication of how people lived back then. So we're very thankful for the bogs. - Alyce Ketcher 

KEYWORDS

#gold #bog #ireland #jewellery #bronzeage #dublin #museum

One of the best places to find unique and special pieces of jewellery is at antique fairs. 

At Courtville, they’re one of our absolute favourite things, both to shop and showcase at, and we’ve visited some of the best in the world! They are a haven for antique jewellery lovers and in this episode Matthew and Alyce have got all of the top tips for beginners and seasoned collectors alike. From types of fairs to dealer etiquette, to honing to skills to spot a diamond in the rough, this is a must listen for your next trip to an antiques fair. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• Understanding the different types of antique fairs
• Preparation for navigating the trade fair experience
• Spotting hidden gems and avoiding duds
• How to work with dealers to ensure a rewarding experience
• The top antique jewellery fairs to attend from Matthew and Alyce’s favourites

MORE INFORMATION

https://www.courtville.ie/ 

• IG - @CourtvilleAntiques
• FB - @Courtvilleantiques
• Tik Tok - @matthew.weldon    
• YouTube - @courtvilleantique
• Pinterest - @courtville

QUOTES

It's really for those who are really interested in jewellery, whether you're a collector of jewellery, a lover of jewellery, a connoisseur, or if you're in the industry itself. It's a great way to see what pricing is like, what tools are available, what certification standards are expected, and what trends are currently happening. - Alyce Ketcher

Anyone who's ever applied here or inquired about work, the real indicator for me that they have a real interest in antique jewellery is that they've gone to a fair. - Matthew Weldon

Don't go mad. Sit within what's comfortable, and do not go over it. It's really easy at first to get carried away. - Alyce Ketcher 

If you have an emotional connection to it, I think that's definitely one to go for. - Matthew Weldon 

If it's dear today, it'll be dearer tomorrow, and if it's cheap today, it'll be cheaper tomorrow. - Matthew Weldon

KEYWORDS

#antique #fair #jewellery #tradeshow #cartier #tips #vintage