The Jewellerian - Stories of Jewels

In this episode I speak with Susan Foster - one of the most talented independent jewellers on the island of Manhattan, as well as a dedicated philanthropist. Susan grew up in East Hampton, surrounded by creative spirit and flair. Jackson Pollock’s house and the studio of Dutch American abstract impressionist, Willem de Kooning, proved an important influence in her childhood; and consequently her career. Her colourful upbringing led her to study ancient art and architecture at UCLA, followed by apprenticeships with European goldsmiths, finally finishing her schooling at the Gemology Institute of America. Susan’s excellent training and technological prowess provides the impeccable foundation for all her jewellery designs. Influenced and inspired by current fashion, she ensures that her jewels reflect the trends whilst still remaining impeccably classical. She is internationally adored by editors and stylists alike, Carol Woolton (Vogue UK executive fashion director and jewellery author includes Susan in her latest book). And Susan's work also sets major worldwide jewellery trends themselves: diamond slices, the rebirth of chandelier earrings and buzz around oversized cocktail rings. Susan has a huge private client base, with her designs being stocked around the world, from London to LA, New York to Moscow. Her pieces are worn by celebrities on every red carpet possible, including the gorgeous Kate Hudson. Alex Shulman was gifted a pair of earrings on her retirement from Vogue UK by Conde Nast owner - Si Newhouse. In what free time Susan has - she is a philanthropist, founding A Place to be(ad) Me. The foundation is an artistic safe haven for children and young teenagers from home environments experiencing upheaval, such as a divorce, separation, domestic violence, or other traumatic events. They learn how to make jewellery, and the mere experience of beading helps them express themselves. I hope that you enjoy this episode. www.aplacetobeme.org www.susanfosterjewelry.com @susanfoster @josiegoodbody www.josiegoodbody.com

In this episode I speak with Katya Hills of The Art Loss Register, the UK based international database of over 700,000 stolen items of art, musical instruments, historical artefacts and of course watches and jewellery, the division of which, Katya set up and runs. Experts around the world use their services to check the provenance of items before they buy or handle them. Police, insurers, the trade and the public may record items that have been stolen to maximise their chances of recovery, and to record disputes or items within collections. We talk about some famous heists and raids, including the Graff heist in 2009; watches and pieces of jewellery that the register has cleverly tracked down; how to protect your own priceless possessions and how they work with the Police, Interpol and Europol. www.artloss.com @artlossregister @thewatchregister www.josiegoodbody.com @josiegoodbody

In this episode I speak with the authors of BEYOND FABERGE, the encyclopaedic book on Russian jewels, Marie Betteley and David Schimmelpennick Van der Oye. We talk about how Vladimir the Great introduced Christianity to Russia in the 10th Century and thereby importing, from Constantinople, the most innovative goldsmithing and jewellery techniques, which paved the way to the Russian jewels we know today. We learn how, centuries later, the St Petersburg jewellers such as Pauzié, Carl Blank, Bolin, Carl Hahn created an Imperial Jewel Collection like no other, way before Faberge made that first Easter egg in 1885. We hear how Catherine the Great's Coronation Crown is not only set with 5000 diamonds and 75 natural pearls but the largest ever spinel to be mined - weighing 398 carats; the crown weighed five pounds has was worn by every Tsar thereafter.  Marie also explains the difference types of enamelling and the difference between the jewellers of St Petersburg and those of Moscow. David adds in the historical context and explains why the Revolution was inevitable. I hope that you enjoy this fascinating subject as much as I do! Images available on my Instagram @josiegoodbody and Marie's @mariebetteley And my website www.josiegoodbody.com Book available to buy on Amazon  Produced by Tom Jobling

In this episode, I speak with Dr Sharon Novak, jewellery collection curator, private client and brand advisor, about her fascinating career.  We talk luxury goods and why, in particular, high jewellery.  She tells us how to build a collection - your intention for the collection and your specifics for inclusion in the collection. Travelling the world for jewels. Buying at auction. And teaching jewellery and gemstones to us all over Instagram, and her complimentary Zoom classes of kids on gemmology. I hope that you enjoy this episode and my super guest, with her endless energy and enthusiasm for the world of jewels.  To find Dr Sharon Novak on Instagram - Follow @jewelryathenaeum  @josiegoodbody www.josiegoodbody.com

In this episode, entitled Plastic Fantastic after her latest collection, I speak with jewellery designer Tessa Packard. Tessa has innovatively upcycled lucite to create the fittings, in which are set beautiful gemstones that both clash and complement the bold coloured plastic shapes and forms, of the pieces of fine jewellery. Plastic Fantastic is inspired by the glamour of the 1950s pool party, with its sheeny neon glossiness. Tessa and I also discuss the use of plastic in costume jewellery since its invention in 1907. I can't wait for you to fall in love with these pieces that you can see by clicking www.tessapackard.com or on Tessa's Instagram @tessapackardlondon @josiegoodbody www.josiegoodbody.com

Just in time for Easter - I am talking with Sophie Law, a Bonhams Russian expert and Faberge Egg aficionado, oh yes - and fellow author. Tune in to learn everything about the most beautiful eggs in the world. Including the extraordinary story of a missing egg that was almost melted down, but instead proven to be Faberge - and sold for £20m! And one of the Queen's exquisite eggs which forever had been thought to be by Boucheron, but instead was a Tsar Imperial Faberge Egg. Why Tsar Alexander III decided to start this tantalizing tradition of giving his wife Tsarina Maria Feodorovna an Easter by Faberge in 1885, and how they perhaps started to symbolise the extravagance of the Romanovs, and their ultimate and devastating downfall.  Go to www.josiegoodbody.com to see images of some of the eggs we talk about Read my short story of a missing Faberge Egg for @mywardrobehq here :https://bit.ly/3cLQZHz Or Instagram @josiegoodbody Sophie's book, Olga's Egg, is available on her website: www.sophielawconsultancy.com Toby Faber's brilliant book Faberge's Eggs - is an encyclopedic history of these eggs and well worth reading: https://amzn.to/3cMmd13  Suzy Menkes's book on Royal Jewels: https://amzn.to/3wnBsoW

Tristan Atkins is a jewellery expert at SJ Phillips, one of the oldest family owned antique dealers in London, if not the world. Tristan and I chat about the firm's remarkable history, their buying of most of the Russian Crown Jewels at the famous sale in the 1920s and other spectacular jewels that they have sold over the years, including a collection of stick pins from one of the forgotten founders of The De Beers Group. www.sjphillips.com www.josiegoodbody.com