Gem Pursuit: An Antique Jewellery Podcast

Unlike the fleeting trends of the modern day, antique jewellery comes from times of defined eras and movements that inspired many artists and makers. 

We’ve covered jewellery eras in a past series but we never got to dive into this incredible movement that shaped art, design, architecture and of course jewellery. Although sometimes considered an acquired taste, art nouveau can be appreciated for its unique, beautiful style and the talent it took to create. Matthew and Alyce look back at the evolution of the movement and how it was influenced by worldly events, along with why the style was considered progressive or even risqué. They also share their favourite icons of the era and offer trade tips on how to add some pieces to your own collection. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• Art movements compared to fleeting modern trends 
• The worldly influences on the Art Nouveau evolution 
• Defining the style with free flowing lines and nature inspiration 
• Trade tips for adding Art Nouveau pieces to your collection 
• Icons of the era: Fouquet and Lalique

MORE INFORMATION

French Art Nouveau ring featuring Colombian emerald cabochon https://www.instagram.com/p/CwubyTLo2Jl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Art Nouveau coin ring featuring a whimsical woman adorning a diamond necklace

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1uMGd-suae/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Social Media

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

 Gem Pursuit is produced for Courtville by Dustpod.io.

QUOTES

When I think about movements from the past, it's a lot like something going viral on Instagram or something going viral on social media today. - Alyce Ketcher 

When I think of Art Nouveau, you’ve really got to set the scene in terms of what's going on in the world that actually led to this movement. - Matthew Weldon 

The free flowing lines, the female body, the insects, the imagination, and the almost fantasy style. You can really appreciate it and Art Nouveau as an art form, - Matthew Weldon 

You cannot talk about Art Nouveau without talking about my icon, it's impossible. And what's really interesting about my icon is that he kind of never set out to be a jeweller. - Alyce Kethcer 

KEYWORDS

#artnouveau #jewellery #design #jewel #enamel #art

We’re back with a very special bonus episode of our Royal Regalia: A History of Splendour series after a listener request for an episode on the crown jewels of Sweden. 

Sweden’s Kingdom has a history spanning over 1000 years. The protected jewel collection features some of the most impressive parures and tiaras you’ll ever see, including a bejeweled, cowboy-esque crown. 

Matthew and Alyce dive into the country’s unique, multinational history and trace back the origins of some of their spectacular pieces. They also share their favourites of the collection, highlighting beautiful detailed cameos and an incredible rare gemstone. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• Sweden’s multinational royal history 
• How Sweden came to have a French family name on the throne 
• The establishment of the Swedish ‘fideikomiss’ to protect their jewels 
• A bejeweled cowboy hat fit for future kings and queens 
• Unique collection pieces including detailed cameos and unusual gemstones
• 
  

MORE INFORMATION

The Swedish Royal Regalia 

https://www.kungahuset.se/english/royal-cultural-heritage 

The Swedish State Regalia 

https://www.kungligaslotten.se/4.35bccc2161be12b93e3387.html?archive=3.35bccc2161be12b93e3583#svid10_46ca39931600d1b7b982f3 

King Karl X Gustav's Crown of the Heir Apparent

https://www.kungligaslotten.se/english/archives/the-state-regalia/2020-03-16-king-karl-x-gustavs-crown-of-the-heir-apparent.html 

Pink Topaz Parure 

https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2022/11/spectacular-swedish-pink-topazes-for-queen-silvia.html 

Cameo Tiara 

https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2021/02/the-stories-of-swedens-romantic-cameo.html 

Social Media

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

 Gem Pursuit is produced for Courtville by Dustpod.io.

QUOTES

The connections in the Swedish Royal Family to the Danish, the British, the Norwegian, I mean, their family trees read like a bowl of spaghetti. - Alyce Ketcher 

The whole point was that these jewels that were left in this collection had to stay within the family. Whoever inherited them had to pass them on to the next one, you couldn't do anything with them. So they were kind of yours, but they had to stay as property of the Swedish crown. - Matthew Weldon 

One thing that I really love about the about Scandinavia royal families, the Scandies, they're not afraid to wear a good tiara. - Alyce Ketcher 

KEYWORDS

#tiara #sweden #crown #jewels #royalregalia #king #cameos #diamonds #royalfamily

We have come to the end of our special series ‘Royal Regalia: A History of Splendour’ and for our final episode we’re taking a look at some jewels close to home. 

Although you may not have known this country would have crown jewels, we’ll find out the history that led to their establishment, how they trace back to British royal regalia and the suspicious circumstances of their mysterious disappearance, which is still unsolved to this day. 

Matthew and Alyce are joined by a very special guest for this episode, leading expert on Irish silver and antique jewellery Jimmy Weldon, who has a familial link to the case of the missing jewels and is also Matthew’s father.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• The complicated colonial relationship led to Ireland’s crown jewel collection
• How provenance unimaginably inflates the value of crown jewels  
• A series of questionable events that led to their mysterious disappearance
• Who would technically have ownership of the jewels if they were discovered 
• The Weldon family link to this curious case
• 
  

MORE INFORMATION

The Irish Crown Jewels 

https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/irish-crown-jewels-stolen

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-62924392  

Social Media

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

 Gem Pursuit is produced for Courtville by Dustpod.io.

QUOTES

It can be described almost as mystical. It's like they're like a mountain stream, where today we're talking about D color diamonds being the finest, in the old times they used to speak of diamonds being of the first water. - Jimmy Weldon 

The key to understanding the Irish Crown Jewels, you can't mention them without mentioning that they're gone. - Matthew Weldon 

This is fascinating to have a direct link to the possible recovery of such important jewels, especially to the country. But what do we think really happened to them? - Alyce Kethcer 

KEYWORDS

#crownjewels #ireland #dublincastle #royal #diamonds #history

We’re just over half way through our short series, Royal Regalia: A History Of Splendour, looking at the stories and histories behind some of the world’s most famous crown jewels. Today, we look at a collection shroud in family spats and colonial controversy. 

The British Royal Family has always been subject to criticism and the history of their jewel collections are no different. From questions around ownership to some of the most impressive emeralds with a questionable backstory. Matthew and Alyce dive into the mysterious acquisitions of this collection, including the messy lineage of the royal family. They also reveal their favourite pieces and where you can see these fantastic royal jewels for yourself. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• The UK’s strained royal family lineage 
• The controversial origins of the British Royal Family collections 
• A mystery of emeralds and diamonds in the Queen’s negligee
• Queen Victoria’s sentimental heirloom worn by five different queens
• Where you can see the British royal regalia, or at least what we know of it  

MORE INFORMATION

Cullinan Diamonds

https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geology/cullinan-diamond.htm 

Prince Albert’s Brooch 

https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2019/08/prince-alberts-brooch.html 

Social Media

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

 Gem Pursuit is produced for Courtville by Dustpod.io.

QUOTES

We have a lot to thank for the marriages that came into the British Royal Family. A lot of the marriages brought extremely wealthy women into the Kingdom, who brought their own jewels that were bequeathed to them from other royal families. - Alyce Ketcher 

The scepter holds the largest of the Cullinan diamonds, and the largest cut diamond in the world, 530 carats. The weight of these things as well is just incredible. - Alyce Ketcher 

The Scottish regalia is also a part of the British Royal Family. It's a little bit controversial, but does it really belong to the British Royal Family? - Alyce Ketcher

There's those pieces that in a way might even be more important to the people who get them because it's specific to them - Matthew Weldon

It is said that it's bad luck for any man to wear that diamond - Matthew Weldon 

I would say you're absolutely right, there are pieces that we don't see because it actually would just be too controversial. - Matthew Weldon 

I can imagine when you wear something like this, you would feel otherworldly. It is just a magnificent piece. - Alyce Ketcher 

KEYWORDS

#royalfamily #diamonds #crownjewels #emeralds #queenvictoria #royalregalia #jewellery

We’re continuing on our magical and mysterious pursuit through the world of royal jewellery and this week, we’re talking about a collection of crown jewels that has been accumulating over many centuries.

The Iranian National Jewels stand as one of the world’s most expensive and extensive collections in the world. Matthew and Alyce examine their tumultuous history and decadent taste, including how the royal family ended up with the largest pink diamond known to man and the indulgent party that eventually led to their exile from Iran. They also share their favourite pieces and, of course, let you know where you can see the collection for yourself.  

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• The centuries of history of Iranian royalty 
• Iran’s extensive collection of lavish jewelled pieces 
• A solid gold golden globe to house your loose gemstones 
• The decadent party that led to Iranian royal family exile 
• A two kilogram tiara with the world’s largest pink diamond 

MORE INFORMATION

Iranian National Jewels 

https://www.iransafar.co/iran-national-jewels-museum/ 

https://raseef22.net/english/article/1092915-irans-royal-jewels-a-dazzling-legacy-of-persian-kings-and-queens 

Noor-ul-Ain Tiara

https://royalwatcherblog.com/2023/10/14/noor-ul-ain-tiara/?utm_content=cmp-true 

Social Media

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

Gem Pursuit is produced for Courtville by Dustpod.io.

QUOTES

It's always super important that we get the context of how these Crown Jewels got to where they actually are today. The Iranian Crown Jewels date back centuries, and it is super extensive and one of the most impressive collections we are going to see. - Matthew Weldon 

It's pretty vast, and it has some of those important gemstones in history, as well as also having a lot of men's jewels. - Matthew Weldon 

It's literally stuff out of fairy tales. These are not your normal pieces of jewellery. This is historical, otherworldly jewels. - Alyce Ketcher 

What didn't they put jewels in? They put them in everything - Matthew Weldon, Alyce Ketcher

These two stones, not only historically, but the fact that they are fancy Pink Diamonds, they are the largest in the world, it's thought that there is no way to actually put a value on them. - Alyce Ketcher

HOST DETAILS

Matthew Weldon took over Courtville in 2018 and continues today the rich legacy left behind by Kitten and Grainne. The Weldon family tree boasts a rich history of Irish jewellers going back over 135 years. Learning from a young age about the industry from his father, Matthew quickly gained a skilled eye and an appreciation for quality.

Seeking to further his knowledge and expertise Matthew gained a degree in marketing and French which led to a short career as a chartered accountant. But with such a draw to antique and vintage jewellery it was inevitable that Matthew would continue the family tradition and build a business of his own. Like generations before, Matthew looks for the exceptional, rare and intriguing pieces and always ensures beauty, quality and fair prices.

Alyce Ketcher has been working with jewels for over 15 years. During her time within the jewellery industry she has worked in Australia, New Zealand, United States, United Kingdom and Ireland and gained qualifications through the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (GEM-A). As a qualified gemologist Alyce is able to use her extensive knowledge of diamonds and gemstones to identify and value jewellery from all periods. Working with antique and vintage jewels is her passion, and you can often find her researching hallmarks, inspecting gemstones or writing about our latest find.

KEYWORDS

#dynasty #royalfamily #iran #history #crownjewels #goldenglobe #jewellery #gemstones 

This season we’re taking a magical and mysterious pursuit through the world of Royal Regalia: A History of Splendour, a topic that has been long-awaited and requested many times from our wonderful listeners. 

In the first episode of this season we’re taking a look at a country with one of the most magnificent histories and royal jewel collections, Denmark. 

Matthew and Alyce dive into the incredible collection and the fascinating stories that accompany it, including how Denmark acquired jewels from other countries, along with explaining the historical lineage and ownership within the families, where you can see these beautiful garnitures and their personal favourite pieces. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• A brief history of the Danish Royal Family lineage
• The Danish Crown Jewels collection 
• Measuring jewels on centuries of history over carats, like Queen Margrethe
• How a French General’s ruby parure ended up in Denmark 
• The newly crowned Queen of Denmark’s thoughtful wedding gift 

MORE INFORMATION

Denmark’s Crown Jewels 

https://www.kongehuset.dk/en/royal-collections/the-crown-jewels/ 

Crown Jewels and Danish Royal Property Trust Jewellery

https://www.kongehuset.dk/en/news/crown-jewels-and-danish-royal-property-trust-jewellery 

Christian IV’s crown

https://www.kongernessamling.dk/en/rosenborg/object/christian-ivs-crown/ 

Social Media

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

 Gem Pursuit is produced for Courtville by Dustpod.io.

QUOTES

The jewellery is intrinsically linked to the history of any of the houses and it is through history that a lot of these jewels end up being in certain collections. - Matthew Weldon 

This is a serious collection. What I love about Queen Margaret, she's on record as saying, about the jewellery, that she doesn't count the carats, she counts the centuries. - Matthew Weldon

When you look at the history behind their jewellery, the way that they've been able to keep their hands on some of these items is beyond amazing. - Alyce Ketcher 

All jewels tell a story, and this particular piece really is such a standout piece from their collection, it is so important to the family. - Alyce Ketcher 

HOST DETAILS

Matthew Weldon took over Courtville in 2018 and continues today the rich legacy left behind by Kitten and Grainne. The Weldon family tree boasts a rich history of Irish jewellers going back over 135 years. Learning from a young age about the industry from his father, Matthew quickly gained a skilled eye and an appreciation for quality.

Seeking to further his knowledge and expertise Matthew gained a degree in marketing and French which led to a short career as a chartered accountant. But with such a draw to antique and vintage jewellery it was inevitable that Matthew would continue the family tradition and build a business of his own. Like generations before, Matthew looks for the exceptional, rare and intriguing pieces and always ensures beauty, quality and fair prices.

Alyce Ketcher has been working with jewels for over 15 years. During her time within the jewellery industry she has worked in Australia, New Zealand, United States, United Kingdom and Ireland and gained qualifications through the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (GEM-A). As a qualified gemologist Alyce is able to use her extensive knowledge of diamonds and gemstones to identify and value jewellery from all periods. Working with antique and vintage jewels is her passion, and you can often find her researching hallmarks, inspecting gemstones or writing about our latest find.

KEYWORDS

#royaljewels #royalfamily #queen #denmark #crown #diamonds #crownjewels #jewellery

For avid jewellery collectors it can sometimes feel like a piece finds its way to you without even having to look for it. That was certainly the case for Victoria Waller, a passionate and knowledgeable collector who received a very unique and special piece just a week after her mother passed away. 

Victoria shares the incredible story of how her namesake Queen Victoria’s rare Coburg Eagle landed in her hands and the amazing history that came with it. Having crossed paths at many international jewellery shows, Matthew and Victoria also share their top tips and tricks for visiting shows and what to look out for when starting your own collection. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• Queen Victoria’s rare Coburg Eagle 
• How jewellery sometimes finds its way to you 
• Victoria’s unique and fascinating collection
• Tips and tricks for visiting jewellery shows 
• The importance of building relationships in the world of antique jewellery 

GUEST DETAILS

Dr. Victoria Waller is an educational therapist, teacher and avid jewellery collector. https://www.drvictoriawaller.com/ 

MORE INFORMATION

Queen Victoria’s Coburg Eagle 

https://www.bmimages.com/preview.asp?image=00863536001 

Social Media

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

 Gem Pursuit is produced for Courtville by Dustpod.io.

QUOTES

The jewelry sometimes picks you, it just presents itself to you. - Matthew Weldon 

You can't buy taste. You either have it or you don’t. - Victoria Waller 

It came to me the week after my mother passed away. It was just one of those things it's called meant to be. - Victoria Waller 

We never really own these pieces, we just guard them for one more generation, and then someone else gets to enjoy. - Matthew Weldon 

KEYWORDS

#jewellery #queenvictoria #brooch #provenance #coburgeagle 

The world of antique jewellery is both magical and mysterious, and Gem Pursuit is always trying to help you develop your own understanding, and your collection!

Whether you’re new to antique jewellery, or a collector trying to broaden your knowledge, Matthew and Alyce are bringing you the ultimate book to guide you. John Benjamin’s ‘Starting to Collect Antique Jewellery’ has been hugely influential for both our hosts and they break down all the best bits, biggest learnings and words of caution as you begin your own pursuit.

If you’re looking to put a bit of know-how behind your passion for antiques, this is the place to start.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

●       What you can gain from John Benjamin’s book

●       Learning how to correctly look after antique pieces

●       Broadening your knowledge of different techniques and time periods

●       Valuing jewellery and how it’s changed through time

●       How collectors, dealers and enthusiasts can always learn something new

MORE INFORMATION

Starting to Collect Antique Jewellery by John Benjamin

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Starting-Collect-Antique-Jewellery-Benjamin/dp/1851494073

New York Times Feature

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz6QNbGs56x/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Star piece of the year

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CoPalZnDT2U/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

SOCIAL MEDIA 

●    IG - @CourtvilleAntiques

●    FB - @Courtvilleantiques

●    Tik Tok - @matthew.weldon   

●    YouTube - @courtvilleantique

●    Pinterest - @courtville

Gem Pursuit is produced for Courtville by Dustpod.io.

QUOTES

This is a tool in the belt. We need reference books like this that help us to understand what we're seeing, especially when things in the antique jewelry world are so unique. - Alyce Ketcher

This is one thing that I'd say to anybody who's getting into antique jewelry. There is always an exception to every rule that you have. - Alyce Ketcher

Even the collector, the enthusiasts, who would have broad knowledge, you'll pick up something every time you read it, about one of the slightly more obscure pieces, and I think it's fantastic for that. - Matthew Weldon

John Benjamin, the detailed guide that he's put together here has become like an old friend to me, really, over the years. - Alyce Ketcher

KEYWORDS

#antiquejewellery #bookreview #victorian #mosaics #gemstone

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and as a little gift from Gem Pursuit to you this festive season we’ve got a very special edition of Gem Trivial Pursuit!

Matthew and Alyce go head to head to see who is the greatest quizmas master of all and not with some laughs, and questionable knowledge, along the way. Find out what year the Hallmark cards began, which country really believes in the power of mistletoe and how many reindeer Santa actually had.

Wishing you and yours a very happy festive season from everyone at Courtville Antiques.

For more information on Gem Pursuit or to browse the Courtville collection visit www.courtville.ie.

Gem Pursuit is produced for Courtville by Dustpod.io.

SOCIAL MEDIA 

●    IG - @CourtvilleAntiques

●    FB - @Courtvilleantiques

●    Tik Tok - @matthew.weldon   

●    YouTube - @courtvilleantique

●    Pinterest - @courtville

 KEYWORDS

#Christmas #Quiz #Reindeer #Jewellery #trivalpursuit

‘Tis the season and for our bonus episode of Season Eight Matthew and Alyce take a look at the history of gift giving from the Three Wise Men to Napoleon.

Gift giving can be traced back to 40,000 years ago, with figures made of woolly mammoth ivory.

From the thoughtful gifts of the three wise men, to one of the biggest rubies ever documented and even the classic pearls of a fashion icon, Matthew and Alyce share the fascinating stories of some unique, beautiful and sometimes terrifying gifts throughout time.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

●       The Russian imperial history behind the classic pearls of a fashion icon

●       A 40,000 year old gift, one of the earliest examples of figurative design in human history.

●       A flamenco dancer turned Maharani with her eye on an elephant’s emerald

●       The three wise men and their gifts for a newborn king

●       Napoleon III’s shamed mistress and her menacing portrait

●       A legendary musician’s enormous gift to his wife of 40 years

MORE INFORMATION

The photographic painting of Comtesse de Castiglione as ‘Vengeance’

https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2000/comtesse/photo-gallery

The emerald crescent brooch

https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6211869

Venus of Hohles Fels

https://www.thearchaeologist.org/blog/venus-of-hohle-fels-the-earliest-known-depiction-of-a-human-being-in-prehistoric-art

Irving Berlin’s Ruby

https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6151278

View Courtville Christmas Gift Ideas for this special episode.

For more information on Gem Pursuit or to browse the Courtville collection visit www.courtville.ie.

Gem Pursuit is produced for Courtville by Dustpod.io.

SOCIAL MEDIA 

●    IG - @CourtvilleAntiques

●    FB - @Courtvilleantiques

●    Tik Tok - @matthew.weldon   

●    YouTube - @courtvilleantique

●    Pinterest - @courtville

QUOTES

The first gift that I chose today is a very famous gift that not a lot of people would recognise as a gift but they would recognise the actual style icon on which it sits. And this is Coco Chanel and her pearls. - Alyce Ketcher

I would wear ropes and ropes of pearls too if I was wearing Romanov pearl necklace - Alyce Ketcher

This pendant dates back over 35,000 to 40,000 years. This is one of the first ever pieces of jewellery that's actually been discovered, and even more than that, were some of the earliest examples of figurative design in human history. This is a really important one, not just in terms of jewellery, but in terms of gift giving, and also human evolution. - Matthew Weldon

A really cool piece that also has such a crazy backstory. - Alyce Ketcher

What's interesting about gold is that it started there, but it's gone everywhere. Santa’s first gift was gold, he used to throw little bags of gold into people's houses. - Matthew Weldon

I'm gonna be dreaming about that ruby for a very long time. - Alyce Ketcher 

#gifting #christmas #giftideas #giftgiving #antiquejewellery #history #jewellery