What is a Trapiche Emerald? A Trapiche emerald is a rare variety of Emerald that shows a distinct six-rayed star pattern inside the stone. According to research and documentation from the Gemological Institute of America, this pattern forms during crystal growth , not after. The name “Trapiche” comes from a Spanish sugar mill wheel , which the pattern closely resembles — a central core with spokes radiating outward. How Does That Star Actually Form? This is where it gets interesting. As the...

You’ve probably heard this before: Natural diamonds take millions to billions of years to form, while laboratory-grown diamonds take just weeks. It’s a statement repeated so often that it sounds like a simple fact. But scientifically, the story is actually more complex. According to research from the Gemological Institute of America ( GIA ), scientists don’t actually know the exact speed at which a natural diamond crystal grows . That might sound surprising — but the reason is simple. When...

I'm so excited to share a recent career milestone — I was invited to speak at GIA London on Wednesday, 25th June, to talk about my journey in the jewellery industry and how Instagram has helped me grow, connect, and open incredible doors over the years. Some of the GIA Students attending my presentation GIA has always been my favourite gemmological organisation. Standing in front of their students, sharing my story (with 85 slides, might I add!) was a surreal and unforgettable experience. I...