Gem Pursuit is doing a special run of Irish-themed episodes for the month of March!

In this first one, we explore the courtship and romance of Michael Collins and Kitty Kiernan - a love story set against the backdrop of Ireland’s fight for independence.

Through published letters and diaries, we journey into the private world of one of Ireland's most significant political and military figures. It reveals a man deeply devoted to his beloved. At the heart of this story lies a symbol of love and loyalty: a diamond engagement ring.

Alyce examines the evidence to build up a picture of the piece in question while Matthew explores a possible family connection to its sale!

Join us as we uncover the story behind one of Ireland’s most iconic engagements.

www.courtville.ie

Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck

To mark an end to Valentine's weekend, we thought we would do a special Gem Pursuit episode to share a few stories of marriage proposals down through history including the first ever diamond solitaire engagement ring (the real first one!) as well as the fascintating story of how Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora wound up getting hitched.

We also discuss some of the sweetest (and funniest) proposal stories shared with us by some of our listeners which includes settings as romantic as a graveyard, a fairy fort and a cowshed!

www.courtville.ie

Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck

The second and final part of Gem Pursuit's trip to the US of A.

In front of a live audience at the Original Miami Beach Antique Show 2025, Matthew spoke with Michael Singer of Windsor Jewellers and Olivier Bachet of the International Antique Jewellers Association (IAJA) who shared their experience of working with antique & signed jewellery, gave some helpful advice to people starting out in the trade and shared some fascinating stories from their years in the business.

www.courtville.ie

Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck.

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...

www.courtville.ie

Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck.

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...

www.courtville.ie

Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck.

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...

www.courtville.ie

Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck.

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!

www.courtville.ie

Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck.

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.

www.courtville.ie

Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck.

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.

www.courtville.ie

Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

The podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck.

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.

www.courtville.ie

Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

The podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck.