Fine Jewellery Reviews, Guides and Stories from London
Jackie Kennedy's Jewellery: An Education in Restraint
Why Jackie Kennedy wore fake pearls: the Van Cleef ring, the Lesotho III diamond, and the strategy behind her restraint.
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The Gem is an independent editorial magazine about fine jewellery — its history, culture, and buying advice — publishing since January 2026. Coverage is organised into three sections: Stories, on the histories of jewellery houses and the pieces that made them famous; Guides, research-led buying advice on diamonds, gemstones, and precious metals; and The Edit, curated seasonal selections. All writing is by Florence.
Also new this week
Astrid & Miyu vs Daisy London vs Otiumberg: Which Is Worth Your Money?
An honest comparison of three London demi-fine jewellery brands — different philosophies, different buyers, and which one actually fits how you shop.
The Cheapside Hoard: London's Greatest Lost Treasure
In 1912, a workman's pickaxe broke through a sealed cellar on Cheapside and found nearly five hundred pieces of Elizabethan jewellery untouched since 1640. The story of London's most extraordinary archaeological discovery.
For people who buy beautiful things,— The Gem, since 2026
and want to know the story behind them.
The Edit
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The Signet Ring Edit: From Engraved to Statement
The signet ring is not having a revival — it never left. A maker-by-maker guide to the best engraved, statement, and hardstone signet rings to buy in 2026.
How to Wear Fine Jewellery to a Festival: The Layering Guide
How to wear fine jewellery to a festival — what to layer, what to leave at home, and how to build a look that survives three days in a field without looking like it tried too hard.
How to Wear a Memento Mori
Six ways to wear skull and mourning jewellery without it reading as costume, from a £320 McQueen ring to a Stuart-era enamel skull ring dating to the 1600s.
Ring Stacking in 2026: The Rules, the Breaks, and What Actually Works
Ring stacking has been building for years and is now firmly established. A practical guide to what works — the rules, the breaks, and the sizing trick.
The Men's Jewellery Edit: What to Buy, What to Wear, and What to Ignore
Men's fine jewellery has been growing faster than women's for three years. A guide to what's worth buying, what works, and what to leave alone.
The Guides
More guides →
The Best Gold Hoop Earrings at Every Price Point
What gold hoop earrings actually cost by tier - plated, vermeil, and solid gold - and what changes between each price point.
Signet Rings for Women: The Complete Buying Guide
Astrid & Miyu vs Daisy London vs Otiumberg: Which Is Worth Your Money?
9ct vs 18ct vs 22ct Gold: Which Should You Actually Buy?
Signet Ring Shapes: Oval, Cushion, Oxford, and Which Suits Which Hand
Emerald Buying Guide: What to Look For and What to Avoid
The Best Sapphire Engagement Rings: 15 Worth Considering
From the magazine
More stories →
Jackie Kennedy's Jewellery: An Education in Restraint
The Cheapside Hoard: London's Greatest Lost Treasure
De Beers Suspends Venetia: What a Two-Year Pause Means for the Diamond Trade
Dolce & Gabbana Just Put the Sacred Heart Back on the Runway. Here's Why That Matters More Than the Gown Did.
Van Cleef & Arpels: The House That Invented Mystery
Zendaya's Odyssey Press Tour Is a Masterclass in Jewellery Placement
What the New US Jewellery Tariffs Mean for Buyers
A Canada-specific jewellery tariff takes effect 19 August. What it covers, why manufacturing origin matters, and what buyers can do.
The Gem exists because most jewellery writing is either breathless PR or impenetrable gemology. Neither is much use when you’re trying to decide whether a Cartier Love bracelet is worth the mortgage payment, or whether lab-grown diamonds are genuinely identical to mined ones (they are, with caveats).
This is a magazine for people who take jewellery seriously without taking themselves too seriously. We publish buying guides built on research rather than press releases, histories of the houses that shaped the industry, and the occasional strong opinion about why signet rings are having a moment for entirely the right reasons.
Florence writes everything. She has been known to be wrong, but not about jewellery.
About The Gem
