Gem Pursuit: An Antique Jewellery Podcast
Gem Pursuit: An Antique Jewellery Podcast
Matthew Weldon of Courtville Antique & Vintage Jewellers

Gem Pursuit: An Antique Jewellery Podcast

Fashion & BeautyEntrepreneurshipHobbiesHistoryDesignEducationEnglish

Step into the captivating world of antique and vintage jewellery.



Gem Pursuit uncovers the stories behind history’s most remarkable jewels—from the geological forces that created them to the designers, collectors, and icons who brought them to life.



Hosted by Matthew Weldon, CEO of Courtville, this is your guide to the people, craft, and intrigue behind the world’s most fascinating pieces.



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www.courtville.ie



#jewelry #jewellery #arts #history #design #gemstones #antiquejewelry #artdeco #education #victorianera #edwardianera #vintagejewelry

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The Florentine Diamond: The Jewel That Vanished for a Century
23 March 2026

The Florentine Diamond: The Jewel That Vanished for a Century

In this episode of Gem Pursuit, we tell the extraordinary story of one of history’s greatest lost diamonds - the legendary Florentine.A pale yellow diamond of almost 140 carats, the Florentine passed through some of Europe’s most powerful dynasties, from the Medici family to the Habsburg emperors, before disappearing in the chaos that followed the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.For more than...
Diamonds Part II: From Rough Crystal to Brilliant Cut
09 March 2026

Diamonds Part II: From Rough Crystal to Brilliant Cut

In the second part of our diamond series, we turn from science to history.After exploring how diamonds form and how they are cut in Part I, this episode follows the extraordinary journey of the diamond through human history. From the ancient riverbeds of India to the great discoveries in Brazil and South Africa, we trace how diamonds moved across continents, empires and centuries.Along the way we...
Diamonds: Nature vs Craft, Art vs Science
23 February 2026

Diamonds: Nature vs Craft, Art vs Science

Diamonds form over billions of years, deep within the Earth's mantle under unimaginable pressure. But what makes them truly extraordinary isn’t only what nature creates - it’s also what human hands choose to do next.In the first episode of our diamond series, we return to the stone we haven’t properly explored since the very early days of the podcast and ask a big question: where does nature end...
The Heart Motif in Jewellery
09 February 2026

The Heart Motif in Jewellery

What is the most recognisable symbol in jewellery history? The heart.In this Valentine’s special episode of Gem Pursuit, Matthew Weldon and Fenia Sigkoudi explore the enduring story of the heart motif — a symbol that has carried secret messages, sealed romantic promises, and expressed devotion for centuries.We begin in the ancient world, where the heart was believed to be the centre of the soul,...
Andy Warhol's Secret Stash
26 January 2026

Andy Warhol's Secret Stash

Andy Warhol is one of the most recognisable artists of the 20th century, but after his death in 1987, it was what he owned that truly shocked the art world. Hidden inside his New York townhouse was a vast, obsessive, and deeply personal collection: furniture, fine art, kitsch, cookie jars, watches… and an extraordinary cache of jewellery he never wore in public.In this episode, we explore Andy...
Antique Jewellery in the Age of TikTok & AI
12 January 2026

Antique Jewellery in the Age of TikTok & AI

As the year turns, Matthew takes stock. In this New Year episode, he reflects on 2025 through the lens of a year spent travelling, learning, and paying close attention — from attending international fairs and events, to being nominated for and attending the TikTok Awards, and being elected to the Company of Goldsmiths in Dublin.The conversation then widens to eight years in business at the shop,...
Xmas 2025 Ask us Anything Special
22 December 2025

Xmas 2025 Ask us Anything Special

In this festive special episode of Gem Pursuit, Matthew and Fenia answer your brilliant listener questions in a cosy, end-of-year Ask Us Anything special.From spotting the subtle clues that date antique jewellery, to underrated gemstones, lost craft techniques, emotional motifs, and even the idea of cursed pieces, this episode is a wide-ranging chat for anyone who loves jewellery history and...
Jewellery in Paintings: Jane Morris (The Blue Silk Dress)
08 December 2025

Jewellery in Paintings: Jane Morris (The Blue Silk Dress)

Jane Morris was a muse of the Pre-Raphaelites, a central figure in the early Arts & Crafts movement and the quietly powerful presence at the heart of an influential artistic circle.In this episode, Matthew and Fenia explore the story behind Rossetti’s The Blue Silk Dress, focusing on the jewellery Jane wears and the symbolism carried within the portrait.Drawing only on what is known from...
Jewellery in Paintings: Princess Caroline of Monaco
24 November 2025

Jewellery in Paintings: Princess Caroline of Monaco

In this episode, we explore Andy Warhol’s silkscreen print portrait of Caroline of Monaco, created for Vogue in the early 1980s. We discuss the bold colours, big hair, bare-back pose, and the striking sapphire-and-diamond jewels that define the portrait’s 1980s style. We also look at the pop art movement, celebrity culture, and Caroline’s reputation as the “rebel princess”.Beyond the portrait, we...
Jewellery in Paintings: The Drake Jewell
10 November 2025

Jewellery in Paintings: The Drake Jewell

In the latest episode of our Jewellery in Paintings series Matthew is joined by Courtville historian Fenia Sigkoudi to explore The Drake Jewel - a magnificent Renaissance pendant that intertwines art, politics and piracy! Once gifted by Queen Elizabeth I to Sir Francis Drake, the jewel tells an extraordinary story of ambition, power and symbolism. Matthew and Fenia trace how this locket became a...