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Discover Latest #Gem News, Articles and Videos with Contenting

Gemology is the study of precious and semi-precious stones and their properties. It is a field of science that is constantly evolving, as new discoveries are made and new technologies are developed. Gemologists study the physical and chemical properties of gems, such as color, hardness, clarity, and refractive index. They also study the history and folklore associated with gems. The aim of gemology is to understand the characteristics and properties of gems in order to identify them and assess their value. Here you can find news, articles, and videos related to gemology and the gemstone industry.

What Kate Wore

12.11.2024

The Princess of Wales Wears Catherine Walker for Remembrance Sunday – What Kate Wore

The Princess of Wales joined other Royal Family members for today's Remembrance Sunday ceremony. Here, you see her with the Duchess of Edinburgh before the official ceremony gets underway. The annual commemoration takes place at 11 am. Below, veterans and currently serving members of the military gather at Horse Guards Parade before the ceremony. A wide shot of the Cenotaph and Whitehall this morning. The scene 105 years ago.  A remarkable photograph capturing the first two minutes of silence in London, exactly 105 years ago. In those moments, the immense burden of personal grief and mourning would have been amplified beyond comprehension. #LestWeForget pic.twitter.com/8IUZi5HRty — Lee Harris (@addicted2newz) November 10, 2024 And a look at the balconies of the Foreign Office, officially the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The Royal Navy lined the streets near the Cenotaph.  The King, in his Admiral of the Fleet Royal Navy uniform, as he makes his way to the Cenotaph. The Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Edinburgh as they watch the ceremony from the FCO balcony. The Queen continues recovering from a chest infection, so the Duchess of Edinburgh stands with the Princess of Wales. The Duke of Kent and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence (Princess Anne's husband).  The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.  Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'KFN3gOt3QitG296HNJHnuw',sig:'o6e2gvJtQqdgUEaOwL5vU_f4tIM7SBIS3cu48B1a-k8=',w:'594px',h:'441px',items:'2183334037',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});  The King with his son, his sister, and his brother as they walk to the Cenotaph. At 11 am, the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a gun from Horse Guards Parade to begin a two-minute silence. This was followed by a second gun marking the end of the silence, and buglers from the Royal Marines Band Service played the last post.  The King then placed a wreath at the foot of the Cenotaph, the national war memorial. The Telegraph reports, His wreath closely resembles one produced for King George VI, with 41 paper poppy petals mounted on an arrangement of black leaves, as is traditional for Sovereign’s wreaths, and adorned with a scarlet, purple and gold ribbon and bow. The colours of the ribbon and bow are from the King’s racing silk. After placing his wreath, the King salutes. Sky News reports, Queen Camilla's wreath, which featured a handwritten tribute, was placed at the Cenotaph on her behalf by her equerry Major Ollie Plunket, of The Rifles. The Prince of Wales places his wreath. The card on the wreath laid by the Prince of Wales.  Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'eNZa6CLUSER6rNGyyIeE2A',sig:'X6-RgQDJC7VmY21mok0f74nhVbQ-w3q49LbZhqNdL90=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2183349153',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Prince William wore his Royal Air Force uniform in the rank of Wing Commander. The Duke of Edinburgh wore the Royal Wessex Yeomanry uniform. It was the Royal Navy uniform in the rank of Admiral for the Princess Royal. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and opposition leader Kemi Badenoch (left), leader of the Conservative Party, laid wreaths. Among this year's dignitaries are eight former Prime Ministers. You see seven of them in this photo. From left to right: Elizabeth Truss, Boris Johnson, Theresa May, David Cameron, Gordon Brown, and Tony Blair. You can also see London Mayor Sadiq Khan between Mr. Johnson and Ms. May. Not seen in the photo are John Major and Rishi Sunak. The Massed Bands of the Household Division then played Beethoven’s Funeral March No. 1 in B Flat Minor. The hymn ‘O God our help in ages past’ was sung as wreaths were laid at the Cenotaph. Veterans had been gathering for hours ahead of their march past the memorial.  More from Rhiannon Mills of Sky News. As ex-servicemen and women paraded past the Cenotaph there was applause. The sombre moment of reflection was replaced by a desire from the crowds to recognise and celebrate their service. Remembrance Sunday is a day where you watch those who have served together, and shared so much, enjoying each other's company in happier times. The Chelsea Pensioners.  Three hundred twenty-six Armed Forces and civilian organizations were represented in today's marchpast. This year marks 80 years since the D-Day landings in the Second World War.  It is also the 25th anniversary of the end of the war in Kosovo, as well as the 75th anniversary of NATO and the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale. In this photo, you can see a veteran accompanied by his PTSD Assistance Dog.  The BBC's Sophie Raworth notes there were only 11 veterans from World War II at the Cenotaph this year.  Just 11 World War 2 veterans at the Cenotaph this year. Here are 7 of them, including 104 year old Christian Lamb who mapped the Normandy beaches for D-Day troops from right here in Whitehall. It was her first time in the March past. pic.twitter.com/6SuBh7PZdk — sophieraworth (@sophieraworth) November 10, 2024  As veterans march past, many hand off wreaths to be laid at the memorial.  In this image, you can see how many wreaths were laid.  Members of civilian organizations as they marched past the memorial. Thoughts on today's ceremony from The Telegraph's coverage.  As the wreath laying finished, and the Bishop of London delivered a short address, the crowds joined in to chant the Lord’s Prayer. God Save the King rang out, the Royal family singing heartily from the balcony. As that part of the service concluded, the King departed followed by his elder son and two siblings. The Princess of Wales and Duchess of Edinburgh turned to walk back inside, the Duchess placing a hand on the Princesses’ back as they went. There were ceremonies throughout the UK. Below, you see the RAF Pipes and Drums in today's Remembrance Parade through the streets of Edinburgh, Scotland. Representatives from the Royal Air Force, British Army, and Royal Navy laid wreaths at the Cenotaph in Belfast.  Prince William took the salute this year as troops marched past. On the left is the Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon John Healey MP. The Duchess of Edinburgh was in a Valentino dress, the Draped Cowl Neck style, with a Jane Taylor hat and earrings by Garrard, per UFO No More. The Court Jeweller reports she ...wore the badge of the Royal Irish Regiment. She was appointed to serve as their Colonel-in-Chief in August 2023.   Now for our look at what Kate wore for today's ceremony. The Princess brought back a Catherine Walker coat which was first noted on Remembrance Sunday 2020. You can see the piece has been updated: the fringe has been removed from the shoulders, and the buttons have been replaced. A velvet bow has been added at the collar. You may remember the coat was worn in September 2022 when the Prince and Princess visited a military training center to thank Commonwealth troops taking part in the late Queen's State Funeral. Here, you see it as worn on all three occasions. The Princess wore a new hat today, a piece by Juliette Botterill Millinery, the Flower and Feather Teardrop Hat. As the name suggests, the style features a teardrop-shaped base with feathers and flowers. It looks like the Princess had a birdcage mourning veil added to the design. Carly at Kate Middleton Style reports the design is from the milliner's Autumn/Winter 2020 collection. Thanks also to Royal Fashion Police, as well as UFO No More and Mirelabeleva for their information on the hat.  The Princess carried her Mulberry Bayswater clutch in black suede.  She wore the Bahrain Pearl Drop earrings that belonged to the late Queen. The name reflects the pearls' origin: they were part of a wedding gift from the ruler of Bahrain to Princess Elizabeth for her wedding. She also wore the brooch of the Queen's Dragoon Guards, a nod to her role as the regiment’s Colonel-in-Chief. The Princess was named to that role in September 2023, and the brooch was presented to her during her visit to the regiment in November 2023. We first saw the Princess wearing the brooch at last year's Festival of Remembrance.  The pin was originally created for the Queen Mother in 1959. She served as the regiment's Colonel in Chief until her death in 2002. Here you see her wearing the brooch in 1985. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'ocG7KjYwTM1Wd9dx1E8R8g',sig:'_MGoiIq4pMov3bV_XVEKRcXR9OKB_UQrrXz7UK4l4pc=',w:'400px',h:'594px',items:'51027619',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); For those curious about the number of poppies worn by the Princess, the following is from a Remembrance post a few years back, but it still applies: “There is always speculation about the number of poppies worn by the Duchess and any significance attached to that number. Here are theories about that number as detailed in this Grazia story:  Some theories suggest each poppy stands for a different branch of the military. Others say that it’s just easier to see a large clump of flowers than a singular one. And a third theory speculates that she might wear the poppy trio to honor her great-grandmother’s three brothers who died during World War I. More about the poppies tradition via this Imperial War Museum piece.  The poppy is the enduring symbol of remembrance of the First World War. It is strongly linked with Armistice Day (11 November), but the poppy's origin as a popular symbol of remembrance lies in the landscapes of the First World War. Poppies were a common sight, especially on the Western Front. They flourished in the soil churned up by the fighting and shelling. The flower provided Canadian doctor John McCrae with inspiration for his poem 'In Flanders Fields', which he wrote whilst serving in Ypres in 1915. It was first published in Punch, having been rejected by The Spectator. In 1918, in response to McCrae's poem, American humanitarian Moina Michael wrote 'And now the Torch and Poppy Red, we wear in honor of our dead…'. She campaigned to make the poppy a symbol of remembrance of those who had died in the war. The poem.  I'll leave you with one more photo of the Princess at today's ceremony.  NOTE: Last night's Festival of Remembrance post is updated with ID information on last night's dress. Here is a hint. VIDEOS:  You can see King George V unveiling the Cenotaph in 1920 in this short (40-second) video. King George V unveils the Cenotaph before laying a wreath. He is joined by Prime Minister Lloyd George. Armistice Day, 1920. © IWM (IWM 505) pic.twitter.com/6TFTzi5OeR — Imperial War Museums (@I_W_M) November 11, 2023  The Department for Culture, Media, and Sport offers 30 minutes of coverage in this video.   The Telegraph has almost three hours of coverage in this video.

What Kate Wore

23.11.2024

Carol Concert Update & the Princess’s November Style Over the Years – What Kate Wore

Welcome to another fashion post with a quick update on the annual Together At Christmas Carol Service. Kensington Palace announced this year's service will be taped two weeks from today, December 6.  Below, the Princess and Prince Louis at last year's service. The palace announced this year's theme will focus on how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives. More from Danielle Stacey's Hello story.  Kensington Palace said that the Princess particularly wanted the carol concert's theme to celebrate those supporting others in need, with a focus on the importance of love and empathy. This year, Her Royal Highness wanted to celebrate the many people supporting those in need – individuals who have inspired, counselled, comforted, and above all else shown that love is the greatest gift we can receive. This theme takes inspiration from the Christmas story which encourages us to consider the experiences of others and the important human need of giving and receiving empathy. Kensington Palace released a short video this week.  Something exciting is coming... 🎄🎵 The invitations are fresh off the press for this year's Together At Christmas Carol Service, which will be returning to Westminster Abbey on Friday 6 December. We can't wait for you to join us too! Tune in on @ITV and @ITVX on Christmas Eve. pic.twitter.com/knmlyN6PZt — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) November 13, 2024 Now for our look back at the Princess's November style over the years. We begin with November 2011, when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge traveled to Denmark for an event at a Copenhagen UNICEF warehouse.  The couple was hosted by Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary (now King Frederik and Queen Mary). The engagement helped raise awareness of the famine in East Africa and the desperate need for relief supplies. The Duchess engaged in some sartorial diplomacy, wearing an LK Bennett coat in red, one of the colors of Denmark's flag. The Ami coat was made in a wool and nylon blend, described by the retailer as a structured, military-style, fashion coat...defined by...beautiful detailing, a modern belt, and a clean fitted silhouette.” The piece showcased a high collar, epaulets, front pockets, and a concealed front closure.  This was the first of four occasions when the coat was worn. We next saw it a year later in November 2012, at a rugby match, in November 2013 for a Poppy Day engagement, and one more time in 2016, when the Duchess wore it to an engagement at RAF Valley in North Wales. She accessorized with a statement-making Reiss belt, the 'Bessie' style from 2008, and her Vinnie Day Leaf Earrings.   The Duchess sported a pair of Stuart Weitzman 'Zipkin' Platform Boots and carried her 'Muse' clutch, also by Stuart Weitzman.  The Duke and Duchess visited Cambridge in November 2012.   It was the couple's first official trip to the city following their wedding. Among their stops that day was a visit to Jimmy’s, a homeless shelter. The Duchess chose a coat and dress by Studio Max Mara.  The 'Belli' coat was made in a blend of 50% wool and 50% cashmere, with a funnel neck, on-seam pockets, hidden buttons, and pick stitching. I don't believe I could ever find detailed information on the leopard print dress. Accessories included the Natasha Clutch ($480) by Emmy London and Aquatalia Rouge boots.  The Duchess also wore her 'Grace' (£895) white topaz and diamond studs by Kiki McDonough.The Duchess wore a navy ensemble in November 2013 for a visit to a Place2Be forum on “Resilience and Emotional Strength in Schools.” Place2Be was one of the Duchess's first charity patronages.  The Duchess wore a jacket identified as Max Mara and a skirt by Orla Kiely.  Unfortunately, none of us could locate product photos of the jacket, which featured a fitted silhouette, rounded collar, angled front seams, an asymmetrical zipper, and flap pockets. The Orla Kiely Solid Crepe Blend Skirt was made in a blend of 63% Polyester/33% Viscose/4% Elastane, and it showcased wide knife pleats; it had a concealed back zipper and full lining. Accessories for this ensemble included the Duchess's navy suede Alexander McQueen pumps and another Stuart Weitzman 'Muse' clutch, this one in navy suede. The Duchess wore her Kiki McDonough Gold and Diamond Hoops (£700, about $885 at today's exchange rates) with her Annoushka Pearl Drops ($535).  For a November 2014 engagement at EACH (East Anglia's Children's Hospices), the Duchess opted for a vibrant red dress by Katherine Hooker.  The Duchess was at the hospice to help launch a fundraising appeal for a new EACH hospice in Norfolk. I love this little girl's look after she gives flowers to the Duchess. The Duchess was in a customized version of Katherine Hooker's 'Ascot' Dress, which was a classic shift style with three-quarter-length sleeves and a concealed back zipper.  She wore her 'Aimee' pumps by Jimmy Choo and carried the black Stuart Weitzman 'Muse' clutch shown above.  For that day's jewelry, the Duchess wore her Mappin and Webb 'Fortune' necklace along with her Kiki McDonough Hoops and Cushion Cut Green Amethyst Drops (£900). In November 2015, the Duchess attended an awards event for The Fostering Network.  The Fostering Excellence Awards celebrated success within foster care. While there, Ambrose (age 11) and Rowan (age 7) presented the Duchess with quilts for George and Charlotte. The Duchess wore the 'Martine' dress by Saloni London.  The piece was made of matelassé, a textured, crinkly material. It had the fit and flare silhouette the Princess favors, with elbow-length sleeves and inverted pleats at the waist. In the accessories department, we saw the return of the Gianvito 105 Black Suede Pumps ($795), the 'Glossed Leather Belt' by Alexander McQueen, and the Mulberry Bayswater clutch.   The Duchess had her hair styled in a partial updo. She wore her Catherine Zoraida Fern Hoop earrings (on sale at $170, usually $213). For a November 2016 film premiere, the Duchess chose a gown by Self Portrait.  This was a new brand for her wardrobe, the first of many Self Portrait designs worn by the Duchess. The premiere of A Street Cat Named Bob was a benefit for Action on Addiction, one of the Duchess's patronages. Here you see her meeting the real cat named Bob. The dress was from Self Portrait’s Resort 2016 collection. The Pleated Crochet Maxi Dress featured a high neckline with floral lace detailing, sheer sleeves, and a pleated crepe skirt with a side slit. It was made in 99% polyester with 1% cotton and came with a nude bandeau lining. Here is a closer look at the lace.  The Duchess accessorized with her Gianvito 105 Bordeaux Pumps and another Mulberry Bayswater clutch, this one in a color called 'conker' suede. Her earrings were by Oscar de la Renta, made of gold-plated pewter with crystal faux pearls.  I chose our next engagement because of the dress by GOAT London, now known as Jane Atelier, a label first incorporated into the royal wardrobe in 2013. This was another Place2Be event, a head teachers conference, in November 2017. The Duchess delivered remarks at the event.  The Duchess wore the 'Eloise' Tunic Dress, an A-line design made in 100% wool with a high neckline, three-quarter sleeves, and oversized pewter buttons. She accessorized with her Mulberry Bayswater clutch and her Tod's pumps, a block heel style in suede.  She also wore her ''Empress' earrings by Mappin and Webb.  In November 2018, the Duchess brought back a Paule Ka ensemble for an engagement at University College London. The Duchess was at the University to visit the Neuroscience lab and learn how environment and biology shape the ways children develop. Many will have recognized her burgundy Paule Ka separates. The look is a version of this ensemble. The Duchess's double-breasted jacket has a shawl collar, patch pockets, a slanted breast pocket, and modified peplum detailing at the waist. The coordinating skirt is full with multiple tiers and topstitching detail.  The suit was initially worn in October 2012 for a meeting with law students at Middle Temple, in February 2017 for an away day in Wales, and then again in 2018 for this engagement. Sadly, the label closed down this July. The accessories are identical to those worn for the 2017 engagements (Mulberry clutch and Tod's pumps), so I won't repeat them here. The Duchess also wore her Asprey Oak Leaf earrings, shown below as worn at another engagement. Our November 2019 engagement showcases an oft-worn designer as well as the Duchess's penchant for purchasing favorite designs in multiple colors.  The designer is Emilia Wickstead, one of a core group worn frequently by the Princess of Wales. The occasion was the launch of the National Emergencies Trust, a disaster relief organization. Here you see her meeting a therapy dog. The Duchess was in a familiar look, a fit and flare dress.  The Emilia Wickstead 'Kate' dress  has “a slim-fitting bodice, enhanced with contouring darts above and below the waistband, and falls to a fully lined midi-length A-line skirt.” (Although the Duchess's dress hit at the knee.) If the style looks familiar, that is because it is very much like two other Emilia Wickstead designs worn by the Princess. Below, you see the lavender design first worn in Germany in July 2017 and the green version worn in May 2019. The most significant distinction among the designs is the squared neckline on the green dress and the addition of a belt to the blue dress. In autumn 2018, the 'Kate' dress was available at Matches Fashion in red, blue, and baby soft pink. (Unfortunately, the dress was sold out in all colors and Matches Fashion has been closed.) The Duchess carried her black clutch from a collaboration between Aspinal and Beulah London.   She wore a new pair of pumps by Jimmy Choo; they look like the Romy 85 Pointy Toe style ($775.) The Duchess wore her Women of the First World War Brooch. And her sapphire and diamond earrings. Because of the pandemic, most of the November 2020 engagements were conducted by video call. The exception was Remembrance Sunday when the Duchess wore the Catherine Walker coat seen at this year's Remembrance Sunday ceremony, so I am skipping ahead to November 2021 and a look selected because it showcases the Princess's casual style. Below, the royals as they arrived for an engagement with UK Scouts to learn more about the Scouts’ #PromiseToThePlanet campaign. You may recall that the Duchess is joint president of the Scout Association alongside the Duke of Kent. The event was tied to the UN’s Climate Change Conference, COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland. The couple helped make wildflower seed bombs, cooked vegetarian burgers, and did maintenance on bicycles. The Duchess was in a mix of brands for the engagement. Her Quilted Tech Fabric Vest ($345) by Ganni was made of 100% recycled plastic and featured an oversized, relaxed fit.  It had two pockets, a concealed front zipper, a point collar, and elastic at the waist. Her turtleneck was similar to the Cashmere Ribbed Rollneck ($420) by Really Wild, but we can't say this was definitely the piece. The Duchess wore her Scouts Adult Scarf in red/white/blue, as well as a magenta and green design she was given during the engagement. She brought back her See by Chloé Liegi Ankle Boots. She also wore what looked like her Daniella Draper Mini Cupid Hoop Earrings ($280) in recycled gold, shown below as worn at a previous engagement. In November 2022, the Prince and Princess of Wales visited Scarborough for a Community Impact Day.   One of their stops was at a nursery at The Rainbow Centre, a community support organization. The Duchess was in a monochrome ensemble.  Her coat by Max and Co. (another of the Max Mara brands), the label's Wool Long Run Coat (now sold out). The piece was made in 100% wool, with notched lapels, on-seam pockets, a back vent, a self-belt, and an open-front style. Beneath the coat, the Princess wore a Gabriela Hearst dress, the 'Betti' style in cashmere, silk, and wool. The A-line midi-length dress had a slim fit with long sleeves and a turtleneck. She accessorized with the suede Woven Waist Belt ($85, now sold out) by Boden. The Princess brought back a pair of pumps by Ralph Lauren, the retailer’s Celia style ($750), first noted in September 2020. The Celia is a classic point-toe pump in calfskin with a 4.1″ heel. And we saw the return of the Nano Montreal Handbag ($450) in the deep toffee smooth colorway by Demellier London. The Princess also repeated her Twisted Circle Hoop Earrings ($2, sold out) by Accessorize.    Our final ensemble was worn in November 2023 for ceremonies officially starting the Republic of Korea state visit. The Prince and Princess welcomed President Yoon Suk Yeol and the First Lady, Mrs. Kim Keon Hee, at their central London hotel. The two couples traveled to Horse Guards Parade for a full ceremonial welcome. Following a private lunch at Buckingham Palace, members of the Royal Family and the President and First Lady viewed a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection Trust related to the Republic of Korea. The Princess wore her Catherine Walker Beau Tie dress first seen at the December 2021 Carol Concert, topped by a cape in matching fabric.  Here, you see the Beau Tie when worn for the 2021 Concert. It looked like the dress was shortened for the state visit ensemble. The Princess wore her hair in an updo for the first part of the day's welcome but removed the hat and wore her hair down for the lunch and exhibit viewing. She debuted a new hat by Jane Taylor. It was similar to the Decima Style ($2757) seen below. Accessories included the ‘Bow Embellished Suede Shoulder Bag’ by Miu Miu, first carried during the 2016 Canada Tour, and the Princess's red Gianvito 105 Pumps ($795).  The Princess wore the sapphire cabochon and diamond cluster earrings that originally belonged to Diana, the Princess of Wales.  +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I also have some early Sales & Savings opportunities to share as retailers start Black Friday discounts well before that day.  At Monica Vinader, the jeweler's Siren Green Onyx Earrings are 40% off ($106.80, normally $178), and the Nura Pearl Necklace is 30% off (now $125.80 instead of $186 for both the pearl pendant and the necklace).  Kiki McDonough is offering 15% off sitewide (excluding Special editions) with promo code THANKSGIVING15.  Catherine Zoraida is offering discounts of up to 30% in its Golden Week sale.

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