


An evening well spent at Lauren de Young Jewelry. Lauren, who is the 6th generation within the company, and her parents Alan and Janet have continued the practice of buying and selling rare and unusual jewels. Lauren and her mother Janet, presented us with the history of the company and how Sydney DeYoung donated a pink and red diamond to the Smithsonian’s gem collection, as well as showcasing a few show stopping jewels. Overlooking fifth avenue, we passed around wonders from one of the seventy-six rose cut diamond buttons from Emperor Maximillian’s collection to an intricately crafted emerald, diamond, ruby and granulation Mussel Brooch by designer Daniel Brush. Other highlights include a stunning brooch owned by Ganna Walska and a 19th century Boucheron bracelet that glowed beautifully in the light. There were so many amazing treasures that were a treat to see up close!
Have you ever wondered how a gemstone is cut? All was revealed for Gem X London members for Crafts Week 2025, who were treated to an up-close-and-personal demonstration of classic lapidary with cutter, maker and jeweller Robin Girling. Hosting us at FORGE in Hatton Garden, Robin initially trained as a third-generation engineer, but now creates tools – and jewels – for his own British jewelry brand Selini. Using tools he creates, he cuts his own synthetic stones and sets them into contemporary and artistic pieces that feel bold and stylish – think Verneuil flame fusion sapphires with domed facets and ombre-coloured quartz mounted into buttery steel and ultra-fine titanium. After a classic demonstration of facet placement, Robin also showed us the production of his brand’s own rose cut, developed entirely in house for his designs and clients; a unique hallmark of his jewel craft.
A delightful day trip to RISD! Members set off on another north east excursion to Rhode Island for an exclusive RISD Museum RISD Museum tour with Associate Curator of Decorative Arts and Design, Emily Banas. Within the beautiful halls, we got an enriching history of the collection and of Rhode Island’s history of jewels. We started at the newly opened exhibition, The Art of French Wallpaper Design, of exquisite wall coverings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Followed by the museum’s Decorative Arts and Design Collection, RISD’s permanent jewelry holdings include superb examples of 18th- and 19th-century works, as well as imaginative contemporary pieces. For lunch we met with designer Erica Bello, who gave us a beautiful presentation of her jewelry where we were able to pass around and try on her creations.


After last year’s tremendous response, we are delighted to announce that applications for the 2025 Gem X Scholarship Fund are open. Our aim with the Gem X Scholarship is to help overcome those barriers so that more jewelry enthusiasts pursue their dreams. Last year, we supported an incredible recipient and we’re looking forward to the next chapter and meeting new potential scholars for 2025.
SUBMIT YOUR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
Applications have been extended until June 30th 2025. The Gem X Scholarship is intended for those with a true need and enthusiasm for our common passion. Our hope is that through these resources and mentorship we can help make the world of jewelry a more inclusive, open place.


The electric blue hue of Paraíba has entranced gem and jewel enthusiasts for decades. In this episode of Gemflix, we were delighted to bring you closer to this mesmerizing gemstone through a conversation with renowned specialist Brian Cook; geologist, lapidary artist and philanthropist, and author of the first map of the newly discovered Paraiba tourmaline in 1990. Brian’s decades-long career in the world of mineral and gems has many facets; all of which are rooted in a family tradition of western USA mineral prospecting.
HIDDEN GEMS: the PARAÍBA ORIGIN STORY

Calling all jewelry academics, enthusiasts and eternal students; Summer Jewelry School is now in session! We kicked off our summer with Professor Levi Higgs, of Parsons History of Design and Curatorial Studies program, to school you on the visual language of jewelry history and how these storied codes and corresponding craftsmanship influence jewelry today. Sharing highlights from his recent Parsons course, Levi walked us through a short timeline of jewelry and hit major highlights that will forever contextualize the ecosystem of historical design codes and the wider jewelry industry.
SUMMER JEWELRY SCHOOL with PROFESSOR HIGGS


London | Tuesday 24th June
The Architecture of Vicky Ambery-Smith Jewelry, art and architecture often intersect within the field of design – but rarely is the case that the building design itself becomes the jewel. In exploring this fascinating facet of jewelry and metalsmithing, we are delighted to invite you to discover the architectural eye of maker and artist Vicki Ambery-Smith. RSVP HERE

London | Wednesday 25th June
The Art of Collecting – A Van Cleef & Arpels Masterclass Hosted by Boutique Director Guilluame Dursus de Coursey, our morning will begin with a fascinating talk on Van Cleef & Arpel’s’ storied heritage. We’ll delve into the story and spirit of entrepreneurship, passion and innovation that defined the Maison’s early years and how these principles translated into some of the world’s most magnificent jewels, followed by a walk through of the jewels of the namesake Heritage Collection. RSVP HERE

Munich | Tuesday 29th July
Welcome to Munich – A Jewelry Day With Hemmerle In 2025, German jewelry house Hemmerle begins an exciting new chapter in its 130-year history with a new address at Maximilianstrasse 30. Although remaining on the same historic avenue in the heart of Munich, this move enables the evolution of the brand’s established aesthetic of elegance and refinement. In celebration of Hemmerle’s new location, we are delighted to invite you to a very special Gem X excursion; a jewelry day in Munich. RSVP HERE

London | Monday 22nd September
Celestial Gems – A Skydiamond Site Tour Skydiamonds are a scientific marvel once shrouded in intrigue and innovation. In a special sneak peek behind the scenes, Gem X London is delighted to extend a special tour invitation with Skydiamond – creating the only carbon-negative lab grown diamonds in the UK. RSVP HERE