The Curator's Journal - complete index of 172 articles

The Curator's Journal is SkyJems' gemological blog. It is not a marketing blog; it is a working reference authored by David Saad and the SkyJems team over more than a decade, covering the full range of subjects a serious buyer, collector, or student needs. This index groups the articles by topic. Every article links to the full canonical version on the main SkyJems site and, where applicable, to the text-only mirror on this subdomain.

Canonical blog URL on the main site: https://skyjems.ca/blogs/the-curators-journal

Contents

• The SkyJems Story (4)
• Foundational Gemology (95)
• Series: The Zing of Zircon (8)
• Series: The Perfection of Peridot (6)
• Series: The Splendour of Spinel (6)
• Series: The Colours of Tourmaline (4)
• Inclusions, Forensics, and the Micro-World (4)
• Custom Jewellery and Design (8)
• History and Mythology (2)
• Jewellery Care Guides (15)
• Gem-specific: Emerald (1)
• Gem-specific: Garnet (2)
• Gem-specific: Ruby (5)
• Gem-specific: Sapphire (6)
• Gem-specific: Topaz (1)
• Other (5)

The SkyJems Story

• Explore the Vibrant Charm of Spessartine Fanta Garnets at Skyjems.ca — 2024-10-30 [text mirror]
• Jewellery District Walking Tour with David Saad of Skyjems.ca — 2022-09-06 [text mirror]
• Let Skyjems.ca Make You Look Like A Hero! — 2021-03-26 [text mirror]
  <p>Let Skyjems.ca Make You Look Like A Hero!</p> <p> </p>
• Skyjems Featured in GENLUX Magazine! — 2020-05-01 [text mirror]
  We are so excited to be featured in GENLUX Magazine's Spring/Summer 2020 issue, styled by Mindy Saad.

Foundational Gemology

• A Brief History of Amethyst, Part 1: Violet Quartz in the Ancient World — 2020-12-02 [text mirror]
• A Brief History of Amethyst, Part 2: From Regal Gem to Pervasive Treasure — 2020-12-03 [text mirror]
• A History of Sapphire Engagement Rings, Part 1: Antiquity and the Middle Ages — 2021-01-20 [text mirror]
• A History of Sapphire Engagement Rings, Part 2: From the Renaissance to the Modern Era — 2021-01-20 [text mirror]
• Amethyst — 2015-06-02 [text mirror]
• Amethyst: The Classic Purple Gem — 2020-12-04 [text mirror]
• An Overview of Belle Epoch Jewellery — 2022-04-22 [text mirror]
• Appraisal Values Explained — 2020-11-04 [text mirror]
• Beryllium treated Blue Sapphires — 2015-06-29 [text mirror]
• Birthstones Part 1: What are Birthstones? — 2020-06-04 [text mirror]
• Birthstones Part 2: Origins of Western Birthstone Lists - From Biblical to Traditional — 2020-06-16 [text mirror]
• Birthstones Part 3 – The Origins of Western Birthstone Lists: from Traditional to Modern and Beyond — 2020-07-07 [text mirror]
• Birthstones Part 4 – Beyond the Twelve Months: Birthstones for the Time of Day, Day of the Week, Day of the Month, and Season — 2020-07-07 [text mirror]
• Birthstones Part 5: The Greek and Chinese Zodiacs — 2020-07-07 [text mirror]
• Birthstones Part 6 – Eastern Birthstone Lists: Hindu, Ayurvedic, Mystical, Siamese and Phenomenal Birthstones — 2020-07-07 [text mirror]
• Black History Month Spotlight: Ancient African Jewellery — 2022-02-14 [text mirror]
• Caring for Sapphire Jewelry: Essential Tips for Long-Lasting Beauty — 2023-05-30 [text mirror]
• David's Take on Synthetic Gems — 2021-04-04 [text mirror]
• EMERALD — 2015-07-08 [text mirror]
• Famous Emerald Engagement Rings — 2021-01-24 [text mirror]
• Famous Ruby Engagement Rings — 2021-01-24 [text mirror]
• Famous Sapphire Jewellery, Part 1: Notorious Necklaces — 2021-04-16 [text mirror]
• Famous Sapphire Jewellery, Part 3: Fantastic French Treasures — 2021-04-16 [text mirror]
• Famous Sapphire Jewellery, Part 5: Baubles of British Princesses — 2021-05-13 [text mirror]
• Famous Sapphire Jewellery, Part 6: Exquisite Jewels of Elizabeth II — 2021-05-13 [text mirror]
• Famous Sapphire Jewellery, Part 7: The Maltese Cross of the Imperial State Crown, Home of St. Edward's Sapphire — 2021-05-13 [text mirror]
• Famous Sapphire Jewellery, Part 8: Circlet of the Imperial State Crown, Home of the Stuart Sapphire — 2021-05-13 [text mirror]
• Female Jewellery Designers who Pavéd the Way: Charlotte Isabella Newman (1836-1920) — 2022-03-08 [text mirror]
• Female Jewellery Designers who Pavéd the Way: Marianne Ostier (1902-1976) — 2022-03-17 [text mirror]
• Flush Mounting Setting Explained — 2023-05-23 [text mirror]
• Garnet — 2015-06-08 [text mirror]
• GEM MINING IN AFGHANISTAN — 2016-01-14 [text mirror]
• Gemstone Properties: The Collector's Interactive Reference — 2026-04-13 [text mirror]
• Great Emerald Rings of the World, Part 2 — 2021-02-27 [text mirror]
• Great Ruby Rings of the World, Part 1 — 2021-02-27 [text mirror]
• Great Ruby Rings of the World, Part 2 — 2021-02-27 [text mirror]
• Hardness vs. Durability — 2020-10-18 [text mirror]
• Heated vs. Unheated Sapphires, what's the difference? — 2020-04-23 [text mirror]
  <span style="font-weight: 400;">At Skyjems, we often get asked what the difference is between heated and unheated </span><a href="https://skyjems.ca/collections/sapphire"><span style="font-weight: 400;">sapphires</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span>
• Interview: Warren Boyd of Potentate Mining — 2020-07-22 [text mirror]
• Introduction to Gems: The Science and Art of Gemology — 2026-04-13 [text mirror]
  <p>Fine gemstones are not products. They are assets, artifacts, and geological records.</p>
• Jewelry Nomenclature Glossary Part 1 — 2023-04-07 [text mirror]
• Mohs Hardness Scale — 2020-10-18 [text mirror]
• New Video! Jewellery Quality Common Nomenclatures Explained — 2020-08-24 [text mirror]
• New Videos! Investing in Gemstones — 2020-06-09 [text mirror]
• OPAL — 2015-07-11 [text mirror]
• Origins of Ametrine, Part 1: A Natural Bi-Colour Quartz — 2021-07-28 [text mirror]
• Origins of Ametrine, Part 2: The Legend of Bolivianite — 2022-04-08 [text mirror]
• Origins of Ametrine, Part 2: The Legend of Bolivianite — 2021-07-31 [text mirror]
• PANTONE COLOR OF THE YEAR — 2015-12-15 [text mirror]
• Red Ruby — 2015-05-14 [text mirror]
• Sapphire — 2015-05-16 [text mirror]
• Should I buy the engagement ring and wedding band together? — 2021-01-20 [text mirror]
• Should the engagement ring and the wedding band match? — 2021-01-20 [text mirror]
• Skyjems Virtual World Tour: Afghanistan and Cambodia! — 2020-05-12 [text mirror]
• Skyjems Virtual World Tour: Australia and Canada! — 2020-05-26 [text mirror]
• Skyjems Virtual World Tour: Bolivia! — 2020-05-05 [text mirror]
• Skyjems Virtual World Tour: Brazil! — 2020-04-28 [text mirror]
  Brazil is this week's stop on our ongoing virtual world tour with gemstones, complete with coupon code!
• Skyjems Virtual World Tour: Colombia! — 2020-05-19 [text mirror]
• Skyjems Virtual World Tour: Ethiopia! — 2020-06-23 [text mirror]
• Skyjems Virtual World Tour: India and Myanmar (Burma) — 2020-06-02 [text mirror]
• Skyjems Virtual World Tour: Mozambique! — 2020-08-11 [text mirror]
• Skyjems Virtual World Tour: Nigeria! — 2020-08-18 [text mirror]
• Skyjems Virtual World Tour: Russia! — 2020-09-08 [text mirror]
• Skyjems Virtual World Tour: Tanzania! — 2020-09-02 [text mirror]
• Skyjems Virtual World Tour: Thailand! — 2020-04-13 [text mirror]
  Our ongoing virtual world tour with gemstones, complete with coupon code!
• Star Sapphire: A Stellar Corundum — 2022-07-12 [text mirror]
• Tanzanite — 2015-05-18 [text mirror]
• The Allure of Aquamarine, part 1 - Beautiful Blue Beryl — 2022-06-24 [text mirror]
• The Allure of Aquamarine, part 2 - Legends and Lore — 2022-06-24 [text mirror]
• The Art of the Gem: Shapes and Cutting Styles — 2026-04-16 [text mirror]
• The Breastplate of Aaron Part 1 - The Priestly Breastplate — 2020-07-17 [text mirror]
• The Breastplate of Aaron Part 2 - Decoding the Breastplate — 2020-07-17 [text mirror]
• The Breastplate of Aaron Part 3 - The Twelve Jewels Row by Row — 2020-07-18 [text mirror]
• The Colours of Garnet, Part 1: What is Garnet? — 2021-11-07 [text mirror]
• The Colours of Garnet, Part 2: Pyralspite Garnets — 2021-11-07 [text mirror]
• The Colours of Garnet, Part 3: Uvarovite and Grossular Garnet — 2021-11-12 [text mirror]
• The Colours of Garnet, Part 5: Hybrid Garnets — 2021-11-12 [text mirror]
• The Colours of Sapphire: A Corundum Rainbow — 2021-07-11 [text mirror]
• The History of Custom Engagement Rings Part 1: From the Origin of Betrothal Rings to the Dark Ages — 2021-02-13 [text mirror]
• The History of Custom Engagement Rings Part 2: Betrothal Rings from the Early Renaissance to the Georgian Era — 2021-02-13 [text mirror]
• The History of Custom Engagement Rings Part 3: From the Victorian Era to the Art Deco Movement — 2021-02-21 [text mirror]
• The History of Custom Engagement Rings Part 4: From the Great Depression to Today — 2021-02-21 [text mirror]
• The Mythology of the Emerald — 2020-11-08 [text mirror]
• The Mythology of the Ruby — 2020-11-08 [text mirror]
• The Mythology of the Sapphire — 2020-10-19 [text mirror]
• The Tantalizing Tale of Tanzanite — 2023-03-28 [text mirror]
• TOPAZ — 2015-07-04 [text mirror]
• Tourmaline — 2015-05-23 [text mirror]
• Understanding Gemstone Colour: Hue, Tone, and Saturation — 2026-04-13 [text mirror]
• What gemstone shape (or cut) should I choose? — 2021-01-12 [text mirror]
• WHAT IS A GIA REPORT? — 2025-10-28 [text mirror]
• What is a Good Budget for an Engagement Ring? — 2021-01-11 [text mirror]
• Which Sapphire is Right for Me? — 2021-11-30 [text mirror]
• Why Do Emeralds Have Inclusions? David Saad's Video Explanation. — 2020-05-04 [text mirror]
• Why do Emeralds, Rubies, and Other Gemstones Have Inclusions? — 2023-05-23 [text mirror]

Series: The Zing of Zircon

• The Zing of Zircon, Part 1: A Jaunty Jewel — 2023-03-21 [text mirror]
• The Zing of Zircon, Part 2: Curious Character and Causes of Colour — 2023-03-21 [text mirror]
• The Zing of Zircon, Part 3: Types and Treatments — 2023-03-22 [text mirror]
• The Zing of Zircon, Part 4: The Curse of Cubic Zirconia — 2023-03-22 [text mirror]
• The Zing of Zircon, part 5: Fable, Formation, and Function — 2023-03-22 [text mirror]
• The Zing of Zircon, Part 6: Terrestrial Timepieces — 2023-03-22 [text mirror]
• The Zing of Zircon, Part 7: The Story of Starlite — 2023-03-23 [text mirror]
• The Zing of Zircon, Part 8: Mystery of the Mountain — 2023-03-23 [text mirror]

Series: The Perfection of Peridot

• The Perfection of Peridot, part 1: A Glorious Green Gem — 2022-12-05 [text mirror]
• The Perfection of Peridot, part 2: A Nuanced Name — 2022-12-13 [text mirror]
• The Perfection of Peridot, part 3: A Joy Among Jewels — 2023-01-11 [text mirror]
• The Perfection of Peridot, part 4: Provenance and Pedigree — 2023-01-20 [text mirror]
• The Perfection of Peridot, part 5: The Tale of Topazios — 2023-01-24 [text mirror]
• The Perfection of Peridot, part 6: The Zephyrs of Zabargad — 2023-04-11 [text mirror]

Series: The Splendour of Spinel

• The Splendour of Spinel, part 1: A Cousin to Corundum — 2022-10-04 [text mirror]
• The Splendour of Spinel, part 2: Types and Treatments — 2022-10-11 [text mirror]
• The Splendour of Spinel, part 3: Early Exploitation — 2022-10-17 [text mirror]
• The Splendour of Spinel, part 4: Tajik Treasures — 2022-10-24 [text mirror]
• The Splendour of Spinel, part 5: Mysterious Marvels — 2022-10-31 [text mirror]
• The Splendour of Spinel, part 6: A Recent Return — 2022-11-07 [text mirror]

Series: The Colours of Tourmaline

• The Colours of Tourmaline, Part 1: What is Tourmaline? — 2021-08-30 [text mirror]
• The Colours of Tourmaline, Part 2: Primary Colours of Elbaite — 2021-09-12 [text mirror]
• The Colours of Tourmaline, Part 3: Fancy Colours of Elbaite — 2021-10-29 [text mirror]
• The Colours of Tourmaline, Part 4: Other Tourmaline Species — 2021-10-29 [text mirror]

Inclusions, Forensics, and the Micro-World

• Emerald Forensic Signatures: Decoding the Emerald Micro-World — 2026-04-13 [text mirror]
• Gemstone Inclusions Decoded: A Journey into the Micro-World — 2026-04-16 [text mirror]
• Gemstone Internal Architecture: The 3D Micro-World — 2026-04-13 [text mirror]
• The Darkfield Lens: Illuminating the Hidden Micro-World — 2026-04-16 [text mirror]

Custom Jewellery and Design

• Fall in Love with Our Top Engagement Rings for an Autumn Proposal — 2024-10-04 [text mirror]
• Why do people wear engagement rings on their left hand? — 2021-01-12 [text mirror]
• Why You Should Choose Coloured Gemstones Instead of Diamonds For Your Engagement Ring — 2023-04-11 [text mirror]
• Women's Week Designer Spotlight: Cindy Chao — 2021-03-13 [text mirror]
• Women's Week Designer Spotlight: Florence Koehler — 2021-03-08 [text mirror]
• Women's Week Designer Spotlight: Lorraine Schwartz — 2021-03-11 [text mirror]
• Women's Week Designer Spotlight: Paloma Picasso — 2021-03-10 [text mirror]
• Women's Week Designer Spotlight: Suzanne Belperron — 2021-03-09 [text mirror]

History and Mythology

• Black History Month Spotlight: Mansa Musa — 2022-02-02 [text mirror]
• The Skyjems Story: A Legacy of Gemstones, Craftsmanship and Trust — 2025-10-31 [text mirror]

Jewellery Care Guides

• Amethyst Jewelry Care: Preserving the Allure of a Royal Gemstone — 2023-06-02 [text mirror]
• Ametrine Jewelry Care: Preserving the Harmonious Blend of Amethyst and Citrine — 2023-06-15 [text mirror]
• Aquamarine Jewelry Care: Preserving the Tranquil Beauty of a Captivating Gemstone — 2023-06-05 [text mirror]
• Citrine Jewelry Care: Preserving the Radiant Glow of a Golden Gemstone — 2023-06-07 [text mirror]
• Gem Care and Handling: Emerald — 2023-05-25 [text mirror]
• Heliodor Jewelry Care: Nurturing the Gentle Glow of a Captivating Gem — 2023-06-07 [text mirror]
• Morganite Jewelry Care: Preserving the Delicate Beauty of a Blushing Gemstone — 2023-06-15 [text mirror]
• Opal Jewelry Care: Preserving the Enchanting Fire of a Unique Gemstone — 2023-06-05 [text mirror]
• Preserving the Beauty of Garnet Jewelry: Essential Care Tips — 2023-06-01 [text mirror]
• Ruby Jewelry Care: Tips for Timeless Beauty — 2023-06-01 [text mirror]
• Spinel Jewelry Care: Maintaining Radiance and Durability — 2023-05-30 [text mirror]
• Tanzanite Jewelry Care: Preserving the Beauty of a Rare Gemstone — 2023-06-01 [text mirror]
• Topaz Jewelry Care: Tips for Preserving Brilliance and Beauty — 2023-06-01 [text mirror]
• Tourmaline Treasures: Essential Care Tips for Preserving your Beloved Gemstone Jewelry — 2023-05-31 [text mirror]
• Zircon Jewelry Care: Tips for Preserving Timeless Appeal — 2023-05-31 [text mirror]

Gem-specific: Emerald

• Great Emerald Rings of the World, Part 1 — 2021-02-27 [text mirror]

Gem-specific: Garnet

• Garnet is SO Diverse — 2016-01-11 [text mirror]
• The Colours of Garnet, Part 4: Andradite Garnet — 2021-11-12 [text mirror]

Gem-specific: Ruby

• Famous Ruby Jewellery, Part 1: Amazing American Jewels — 2021-04-03 [text mirror]
• Famous Ruby Jewellery, Part 2: Necklaces of British Nobility — 2021-04-03 [text mirror]
• Famous Ruby Jewellery, Part 3: Tiaras of English Monarchs — 2021-04-03 [text mirror]
• Famous Ruby Jewellery, Part 4: Tiaras of Continental Western Europe — 2021-04-03 [text mirror]
• Famous Ruby Jewellery, Part 5: Tiaras of Scandinavia and Eastern Europe — 2021-04-03 [text mirror]

Gem-specific: Sapphire

• Famous Sapphire Engagement Rings — 2021-01-11 [text mirror]
• Famous Sapphire Jewellery, Part 2: Beautiful Brooches — 2021-04-16 [text mirror]
• Famous Sapphire Jewellery, Part 4: Elegant Riches of Eastern Europe — 2021-04-16 [text mirror]
• Great Sapphire Rings of the World, Part 1 — 2021-03-26 [text mirror]
• Great Sapphire Rings of the World, Part 2 — 2021-03-26 [text mirror]
• How to Buy an Unheated Sapphire: A Collector's Guide — 2026-04-08 [text mirror]

Gem-specific: Topaz

• Blue Topaz — 2015-06-05 [text mirror]

Other

• AGTA Amends Code of Ethics-ICA — 2016-02-17 [text mirror]
• An Overview of the Lost Wax Casting Process — 2022-04-14 [text mirror]
• David Saad is a guest with Johnna Crider on 'GettingStoned' — 2021-04-26 [text mirror]
• How to Remove Claw-Set Gems with a Pair of Nail Clippers — 2020-11-10 [text mirror]
• The Craftsmanship Behind Every Piece of Jewellery — 2025-05-22 [text mirror]

Last rebuilt: 2026-04-19. Author of all articles: David Saad (with the SkyJems team).