Malachite

An observant and deliberate painter, Vermeer produced only 36 known works in his lifetime, while many of his contemporaries completed hundreds. Like his peers, he mostly depicted scenes of ordinary life, later called “genre” painting, often of women at daily tasks. Notable examples include Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window (c. 1657) and […]

Gem Trade: Behind the Scenes

Explore the World of Gemstones with ‘Secrets of the Gem Trade’ by Richard W. Wise   If you’re looking to gain a deeper understanding of the fascinating world of precious gemstones, look no further than “Secrets of the Gem Trade” by Richard W. Wise. This comprehensive guide provides readers with a detailed exploration of the […]

The History of Jewelry

The earliest jewelry known to mankind was created by Neanderthal living in Europe. Some 115,000 years ago, perforated beads made from tiny Nassarius sea shells were discovered in the Cueva de los Aviones, a cave located on the southeast coast of Spain. In Enkapune Ya Muto, Kenya, beads constructed from pierced ostrich egg shells were […]