I showed this Ruby to someone, but not for a jewellery project.
I had a young boy come into the studio with his mum for her appointment, and they were enjoying the pictures of coloured gems on our wall. Looking through all the colours and gem names, he settled on a favourite. Ruby. So I pulled out this beauty here, so he could see one not just in the picture, but in real life.
Natural fine Ruby, from our Harlequin Jewellers gemstone collection
We talked a bit about the gemstone. We talked about how it was found in Mozambique (“Whaaaat!?”, he said). We talked about why Rubies, especially ones like these, were so special and rare.
I recognised his reaction.
It was the same reaction I had when I was 9, when my grandfather introduced me to his hobby of opal cutting. The awe at seeing something magnificent that you’ve never seen before. Something that takes you by surprise, and has a story you can’t believe is true.
So often, jewellery is shown as a world of riches. Of glamorous models, draped with expensive diamonds and gemstones, that you wear to show off how luxurious you are.
That portrayal couldn’t be further from the core of what it’s all about.
The real magic? Is witnessing marvels like these. It’s seeing something with your own eyes, holding something in your hands, that you've never seen before. The colour, the sparkle, the incredible stories of discovery, and worlds so far from our every day life.
I loved seeing that spark in this little one.
It’s the same spark I’ve had since I was 9. After all these years, gems have never lost their magic on me. It’s incredible to create jewellery that shares the wonder of gemstones with clients who love that magic too.