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Written by Joanna Hardy On September 4, 2014 Tagged jewels, cocktails, lecture, learning, london, knightsbridge

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Tonight on BBC Antiques Roadshow at 7pm I put Fiona to the test to see if she could guess which of the three jewels was not Whitby Jet ... I had a fascinating time in Whitby last February where I learnt so much about the jet industry that continues to be very popular today which was once a very sought after material during the Victorian period. It was decreed that following the death of William IV and the ascension of Queen Victoria that all mourning clothes and jewellery were to be black. This encouraged the Whitby jet industry and, coupled with the Victorian’s introduction of the annual holiday and the railways, the town became a seaside resort complete with the obligatory souvenir trade- in jet jewellery. Whitby Jet derives from the remains of an ancient tree (research is on going about which species of tree) which over millions of years has been starved of oxygen and subjected to great pressure, fossilised it. There is hard jet (seawater) and soft (freshwater) jet and some examples contain impressions of ammonite and bivalve shellfish that became trapped in the layers of sediment. As seen in the next image. Whitby Jet is so dense that a tree trunk ends up being no greater in width than 2 inches. Jet jewellery was very popular when Queen Victoria was in mourning after the death of Prince Albert, so much so that many materials were made to imitate jet. Thank you so much to @whamondwhitby @cwsellorsfinejewellery for lending all the pieces for tonight’s show and for hosting me in Whitby. I highly recommend that you make a visit and especially to see their new Jet Museum. I am wearing some jet earrings made by @jacquelinecullenjewels and my brooch is made by #hirokiiwata @katiejonesjapangallery @cromerbythesea @thecromerpier #whitby #jet #victorian @bbcantiquesroadshow #millionsofyearssold

What a pleasure it always is to spend time with the true Master Goldsmith, David Thomas. He was showing me all his beautiful paint ups of his designs he did in the 60’s and 70’s before making the items. It was lovely to see him in his workshop where he is also teaching and mentoring his daughter Jessie Thomas who concentrates on making jewels that can’t be made by CAD ... I struggle to think of a goldsmith today who can paint up designs to this high standard while also having the technical skills to actually be able to make the jewels completely by hand. This generation of craftspeople are elite goldsmiths and their work is being avidly sought after by collectors and dealers. There are some fabulous pieces of David’s in the Goldsmiths Company collection. David left the Royal College along with David Hockney so he says his drawings must be worth the same as a Hockney painting ! Well there’s a thought !! @thegoldsmithscompany #davidthomas #craftsmanship #london #master @jessiethomasjewellery #paintings #goldsmith #skill #goldsmithscollection

The Goldsmith’s Company Buffet Plate on display. The top silver dish was made in 1740 by Paul de Lamerie who was the son of a French Huguenot and became one of the most successful goldsmiths of the eighteenth century. The Goldsmiths Company have an incredible collection of silver. The earliest pieces on the table tonight were 17th century @thegoldsmithscompany #craftsmanship #silver #plate #london #liverycompany #heritage

To have dinner under these amazing chandeliers which are all lit with candles is quite amazing... the massive table made from Spanish Mahogany was designed by Philip Hardwick the architect of the present Goldsmiths Hall. Tonight’s dinner was for the Masters and Clerks of the Great Twelve Livery Companies which the Goldsmiths Hall were hosting. Two things I learnt tonight was that the chandeliers are lit by using a hydraulic ladder rather than the chandeliers being lowered and it takes 22 minutes to light all four. For any wine buffs the wine Claret Chateau Palmer Margaux 2002 and Chassagne Montrachet Domaine Francois Carillon 2013 amongst the four wines we had tonight all of which were superb. Pineapples are very symbolic as they represent wealth, friendship and hospitality @thegoldsmithscompany #livery #chandelier #tradition #finewine #banquet #london

This was a glorious boiling hot day in Scotland last year filming the BBC Antiques Roadshow and this sapphire and diamond brooch was so charming. I loved it but the owner was wondering whether she should take the tassels off to bake into earrings !!! I think you can imagine what I said !! Estimate £4-6k loved it ... putting on make up that will stay was a challenge in the heat ! @crathes_castle #scotland @bbcantiquesroadshow #sapphire #diamonds #brooch my brooch by #marikosumioka @katiejonesjapangallery

I have feeling that Ruby is going to be the gemstone for 2019.. so if you want to learn more about this beautiful gem do get in touch with @facetspr @thejewellerycut to book your place on my Masterclass February 19th 4.30pm #ruby #masterclass #red

Little did I know the journey this charming emerald and diamond ring, made by Chaumet has had... Emerald can represent hope .. and this story certainly lives up to that.. it was the engagement ring of a young girl who was wearing it when she was in a life boat watching The Titanic sink along with thousands of people including her husband. Watch the BBC Antiques Roadshow to discover this incredible story from Erdigg in North Wales. It will be at the end of the show @bbcantiquesroadshow #titanic @chaumetofficial #emerald #ring #survivor

There is nothing more inspiring on a cold dark January evening than seeing new up and coming jewellers that have been on an inspirational course ‘Getting Started’ held and orchestrated by the Goldsmiths Centre, which is free to some lucky candidates. Being a ‘new jeweller’ does not necessarily have to equate to being young. I was really taken by Ailsa Morrant for her perseverance in wanting to feed her creative soul after being told that she should train for a ‘proper job’. Which she did and achieved a bachelor of dentistry and a MSc in Public Health. Never the less 4 kids later Ailsa has persevered, followed her passion and has finally managed to work as a jeweller. Her jewels are reflections of people’s important moments in time. Ailsa welcomes private commissions and her bold yet sensitive interpretations of personal emotions and memories through jewels are imaginative and creative. Every one is unique which of course reflects everyone’s individuality. Also Ailsa takes a cast of a ‘handshake’ and this ‘handshake medal’ encapsulates two people who have momentarily connected. Brilliant ... @gsmithscentre @thegoldsmithscompany @goldsmithsfair @ailsamorrant #unique #creativity #craftsmanship #emotion #followyourdreams @the_eclectic_artisans _

This jewel has just been shown on the BBC Antiques Roadshow tonight. It came to my table in July 2017 at Castle Howard. It was a stunning jewel even though it had been later converted from either a necklace or a pair of earrings into a brooch. Made in silver it was beautifully crafted and the reverse was faultless. This is what back holes should look like. The centre stone was over 3.5cts and I estimated it £35,000 mid Victorian. Quite a find ... and the owner received it in the post by recorded delivery !! @bbcantiquesroadshow @castle_howard #diamond #jewel #antique #find

Joanna Hardy is Fellow of the Gemmological Association, Historic and Contemporary Jewellery Lecturer, Jewellery Advisor and Freeman of the Goldsmiths Company.
For more information please contact info@joannahardy.com. All rights reserved.