Pamela Coulston

“You shall make a breast-piece of judgment … You shall mount on it four rows of stones; the first row shall be a row of ruby, topaz and emerald; and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire and a diamond; and the third row a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst; and the fourth row a beryl and [...]

“Let not thy heart be great because of thy knowledge; converse with the ignorant as with the learned: the boundary of skill is not attainable; there is no expert who is completely provided with what is profitable to him: good speech is hidden more than the emeralds that are found by female slaves [...]

On Sunday April 5th, Queen Elizabeth came before the cameras in a rare national address. It was only her fifth in 68 years of rule. She wore green. Green, a colour of decay and ill-health — pus, mould, phlegm, envy — yet a colour of rebirth, rejuvenation and life itself – tender sprouts [...]

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 [...]

Well April baby, you won the lottery. Diamond is your gem. It wasn’t always, and still isn’t by a number of traditions, but in North America it is. If you were born this month and your name’s Adam, well you’re doubly invincible, because both names are rooted in the Greek word [...]

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 by Disegno Fine Jewellery 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 [...]

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, [...]