May 09, 2023

The Gemstone Buff (Christina CHAO, Gemologist)

43 minutes

There's a field of academic study that sits at the intersection of geology and fashion, and that's gemology: the study of gemstones. Identifying, categorising and grading gemstones is a specific skillset, but valuation can be more subjective, particularly when it comes to regional variances such as with the inordinate popularity of jade in China.

Christina Chao is a gemologist and jewellery designer in Shanghai, who is passionate about translating the science of gems into the art of jewels. And as she describes in today's episode, that's a skill she often puts into practice when advising nervous men looking for engagement rings for their girlfriends. Or indeed nervous podcasters who don't know the first thing about gemstones.

The episode also includes a catch-up interview with:

Vy Vu from Season 01 Episode 08

https://mosaicofchina.com/season-01-episode-08-vy-vu

00:00 - Trailer & Intro

02:40 - Part 1

25:46 - Part 2

35:34 - Outro

39:11 - Catch-Up Interview

Subscribe to the PREMIUM version, see the visuals, and/or follow the full transcript for this episode at:

https://mosaicofchina.com/season-03-episode-20-christina-chao

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