From René Lalique in Paris to the mines of South Africa, on to gemstones from Mine to Mount and Empress Sisi of Austria, make February and March truly global Jewellery Talks
Doors open 11am – the Talk starts 11.30am
£38.00 per person
Tea and Coffee on arrival
Complimentary Glass of Fizz and light bite after the talk
FEBRUARY
Thursday 9th, Saturday 11th or Friday 24th
The Magic of René Lalique
As a youngster, René showed great talent and as a result his mother steered him towards jewellery design. He trained with one of the best Parisian Jewellers Louis Aucoc and produced exceptional evocative and powerful jewellery as well as delicately beautiful designs. This presentation showcases a jeweller who saw no boundaries in design and worked with both precious and semi-precious materials, to create award winning jewellery, bought and appreciated by many.
FEBRUARY
Friday 10th, Thursday 23rd or Saturday 25th
South Africa – An Abundance of Beautiful Gems
The abundance of beautiful gemstones that come out of South Africa today is phenomenal. This presentation will look back at the development of the mining industry in South Africa which began with a chance discovery of a diamond on the banks of the Orange River in 1867. The diamond industry boomed as a result, but we will be looking at the other gemstones too, that have been mined in abundance, including rubies, aquamarines, topaz and tanzanite, to name but a few. We will also consider how, in 1886, on the farm of Langlaagte, the rapidly growing diamond industry was eclipsed by the discovery of gold
MARCH
Saturday 4th, Friday 10th or Thursday 16th
From Mine to Mount – How Gemstones Become Jewels
This presentation will look at the fascinating progression of gemstones from the mining process, to the cutting centres and to the trading counters both trade and retail. How does each process add to the value of the stones and what complications are there along the way. We will also look at historical trading centres and why some survived and others have not.
MARCH
Friday 3rd, Thursday 9th or Saturday 25th
Empress Sisi and The Jewels of Austria
This presentation looks at the mysteries and marvellous jewellery of Duchess Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie, Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary from her marriage to Emperor Franz Joseph I on 24 April 1854 until her assassination in 1898. She was well known for the jewels, particularly those she wore in her hair. But there was more to her than that. Her style was fabulous – the envy of many European ladies. This talk will look at her life and how the Austrian Royals built up their jewellery collection, concluding with the last Empress Zita who had fabulous jewellery from the jeweller Köchert
Lectures are individually priced at £38* and include tea or coffee on arrival
and a complimentary glass of fizz and light bite after the Talk.
The Gallery doors will open between 11am and 11.15am and the Talk will commence at 11.30am