Pamela Coulston

Lucky March baby, you have two gems to choose from: Aquamarine and Bloodstone. Taking a cruise for your birthday? [Editor: maybe not]. Take your aquamarine. Ancient sailors travelled with aquamarine crystals, believing it would ensure a safe passage and, bonus, induce a good night’s sleep while [...]

Above: Amethyst cabochon earings in 18k green gold. Nothing says “I rule” like the colour purple. Since ancient times, this is the colour most associated with royalty. Or with musicians royally renamed. As early as the 15th century BC, dye makers in the towns of Sidon and Tyre (present [...]

In spring, a young man's thoughts turn to “Oh sh*t, I was going to propose. I better find a ring.” Yes men, if you're going to propose, do not go empty-handed. Every woman expects a ring. And it takes more than a bagatelle or bauble to bowl over Betty. Until now, buying an engagement [...]

On wineless gem, I, toper Bacchus, reign; Learn, stone, to drink, or teach me to abstain. — Marbodeus Gallus, Bishop of Rennes, 12th c. Born in February? Drink up: Amethyst has you covered. Myth has it that this purple variety of quartz will keep you sober and clear headed. Coming from the Greek [...]

First up for a year in birthstones is garnet. It’s no surprise that the most oft-cited gem symbolizing this dark month is garnet. Legend links beautiful dark red garnets to Persephone, the maiden daughter of Zeus and Demeter. Abducted by Hades and fed pomegranate seeds Persephone was thus obliged [...]

OLM is introducing a new feature to its online edition: The Jewellery Box. We’ve enlisted the help of Pamela Coulston, jewellery designer and (doubly) certified gemologist, to bring little gems of history and lore, care tips, design ideas, trends, insight, birthstones, and much more from the colourful, [...]