Matthew and Alyce welcome back renowned antique jewellery specialist Michael Singer, Director of Acquisitions at Windsor, New York. Michael shares stories of some remarkable adventures from his decades in the trade including trading a 15th-century manuscript for a Kashmir sapphire, finding a one-of-a-kind Tiffany necklace with ties to the French royal family and bending the rules of an auction...for love! Michael also reflects on the lost buzz of New York’s 47th Street, the importance of trusting your instincts, the influence of his father on his career and also shares numerous insider tips such as which antique jewellery he thinks is the most undervalued collectible in America today. www.courtville.ie Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck
We are delighted to be back from our summer mini-hiatus and have been busy working away on our exciting upcoming podcast series. We'll say no more about that for now.... In the meantime, something a little bit different - a solo Matthew episode, recorded at the Couture Show in Las Vegas back in May of this year. Courtville was exhibiting at the Antique Jewellery and Watch Show down the hall and were asked to give a talk at one of their educational events. Matthew spoke to a live audience of jewellery salespeople but these are insights that will be just as relevant for people who are interested and curious about the history of jewellery design. www.courtville.ie Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck
For our 100th episode of Gem Pursuit, we’re throwing it back to one of your Firm Favourites — the legendary house of Lalique. This special episode marks not just a podcast milestone, but also the 100-year anniversary of the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs — the defining moment of the Art Deco era, and a showcase for Lalique’s visionary designs. We revisit the artistry, innovation, and sheer drama of René Lalique’s work, from his pioneering use of materials to the way he blurred the boundaries between fine art and fine jewellery. And to celebrate 100 episodes together, we’re playing a one-off game: The Jewel-y-weds Game — where Alyce and Matthew test how well they really know each other after a hundred episodes of sparkling stories, tricky trivia, and heated debates. Thank you for joining us on our Gem Pursuit. Here’s to the next hundred! www.courtville.ie Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck
In this special series of Gem Pursuit, we put a spotlight on some of the most important Cartier pieces of the 20th century, currently on display at the V&A museum in London. In each episode, we take a closer look at a different extraordinary piece, uncovering its story, design, and place in jewellery history. This is your audio guide to the Opal Tiara, once worn by Mary Alice Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire. Set with luminous opals and shimmering diamonds, this ethereal tiara captures a moment when Cartier reimagined regal tradition with a fresh, modern elegance. In this episode, we explore the design that crowned a duchess and the craftsmanship that makes it timeless. This item can currently be admired up close in the Tiara Room at the V&A exhibition in London - the final gallery of the exhibition. If you can't make it to the exhibit, check out the V&A website and view the pieces for yourself. www.courtville.ie Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck
In this special series of Gem Pursuit, we put a spotlight on some of the most important Cartier pieces of the 20th century, currently on display at the V&A museum in London. In each episode, we take a closer look at a different extraordinary piece, uncovering its story, design, and place in jewellery history. This is your audio guide to the diamond and rock crystal cuffs worn by screen legend Gloria Swanson. Bold, striking and unapologetically modern, these cuff bangles were more than accessories - they were a statement, on and off the silver screen. In this episode, we explore the story of their incredible design and the star who made them so iconic. These items can currently be admired up close in the Film Room at the V&A exhibition in London - the final gallery of the exhibition. If you can't make it to the exhibit, check out the V&A website and view the pieces for yourself. www.courtville.ie Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck
In this special series of Gem Pursuit, we put a spotlight on some of the most important Cartier pieces of the 20th century, currently on display at the V&A museum in London. In each episode, we take a closer look at a different extraordinary piece, uncovering its story, design, and place in jewellery history. This is your audio guide to the Amethyst Bib Necklace, a vivid and sculptural piece created by Cartier for Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor. We explore how this daring jewell didn’t just complement a look, it defined one. A bold necklace for a bold woman in a bold era, and a perfect example of jewellery leading the way in personal style. It can currently be admired up close in the Royal Room, at the V&A exhibition in London — the fourth gallery in sequence from the start of the exhibition. If you can't make it to the exhibit, check out the V&A website and view the pieces for yourself. www.courtville.ie Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck
In this special series of Gem Pursuit, we put a spotlight on some of the most important Cartier pieces of the 20th century, currently on display at the V&A museum in London. In each episode, we take a closer look at a different extraordinary piece, uncovering its story, design, and place in jewellery history. This is your audio guide to the Egyptian Revival scarab brooches, captivating jewels that blend ancient symbolism with 20th-century glamour. These brooches bring to life the fascination with Egypt - AKA Tutmania - that swept through art and design in the early 20th century, inspiring intricate craftsmanship and bold, exotic motifs. They can currently be admired up close in the World Room - the second gallery from the beginning of the exhibition. If you can't make it to the exhibit, check out the V&A website and view the pieces for yourself. www.courtville.ie Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck
In this special series of Gem Pursuit we put a spotlight on some of the most important Cartier pieces of the 20th century which are currently on display at the V&A museum in London. In each episode, we take a closer look at a different extraordinary piece uncovering its story, design, and place in jewellery history. This is your audio guide to the Mountbatten Bandeau, a remarkable jewell for so many reasons: intricately carved gemstones, 'tutti frutti' design, indian inspiration, royal ties, incredible craftsmanship and timeless elegance. Whether you're standing in front of the piece at the museum or listening from the comfort of home, this episode offers a deeper insight into the sparkle behind the glass. It can currently be admired up close in the Gemstone Room, at the V&A exhbition in London, the sixth gallery in sequence from the start of the exhibition. If you can't make it to the exhibit, check out the V&A website and view the pieces for yourself. www.courtville.ie Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck
The second part of our Titanic special looks in detail at two passenger stories from the disaster and what we can learn about their lives and the time period from the jewellery and other personal items that were recovered from the wreck. www.courtville.ie Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck
We all know the story of the sinking of the RMS Titanic but something that's lesser known is what specific jewellery and other luxury items were on board the most opulent ship on earth when it sank to the bottom of the Atlantic. In the first two parts, Matthew and Alyce look closely at some of the insurance claims made after the disaster, which provide an insight into one particularly incredible (and huge!) personal collection which includes Bermese Rubies, Colombian Emeralds and a mysterious Pink Diamond that may have partly inspired Kate Winslet's necklace in the 1997 movie! www.courtville.ie Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck
The third and final part of our St Patrick's series for March (a few days late!). The prevalance of bog in Ireland makes us one of the best places in the world to find the unusual material known as Bog Oak and it makes some amazing jewellery. Matthew and Alyce talk through how Bog Oak is formed, how it has been used to make jewellery and share some of their favourite examples from history. Matthew also shares the incredible story of the Bog Oak piece that was hidden in the shop for 40 years! www.courtville.ie Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck
A special St Patrick's Day episode celebrating what is perhaps one of the most historically significant pieces of Irish jewellery ever discovered. Matthew and Alyce talk through this incredibly intricate and sophisticated piece in detail, giving an insight into its function and importance in Early Medieval Ireland. We also hear the story of its discovery, the origin of the name, and it's lasting impact on jewellery worldwide. www.courtville.ie Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck
Gem Pursuit is doing a special run of Irish-themed episodes for the month of March! In this first one, we explore the courtship and romance of Michael Collins and Kitty Kiernan - a love story set against the backdrop of Ireland’s fight for independence. Through published letters and diaries, we journey into the private world of one of Ireland's most significant political and military figures. It reveals a man deeply devoted to his beloved. At the heart of this story lies a symbol of love and loyalty: a diamond engagement ring. Alyce examines the evidence to build up a picture of the piece in question while Matthew explores a possible family connection to its sale! Join us as we uncover the story behind one of Ireland’s most iconic engagements. www.courtville.ie Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck
To mark an end to Valentine's weekend, we thought we would do a special Gem Pursuit episode to share a few stories of marriage proposals down through history including the first ever diamond solitaire engagement ring (the real first one!) as well as the fascintating story of how Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora wound up getting hitched. We also discuss some of the sweetest (and funniest) proposal stories shared with us by some of our listeners which includes settings as romantic as a graveyard, a fairy fort and a cowshed! www.courtville.ie Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck
The second and final part of Gem Pursuit's trip to the US of A. In front of a live audience at the Original Miami Beach Antique Show 2025, Matthew spoke with Michael Singer of Windsor Jewellers and Olivier Bachet of the International Antique Jewellers Association (IAJA) who shared their experience of working with antique & signed jewellery, gave some helpful advice to people starting out in the trade and shared some fascinating stories from their years in the business. www.courtville.ie Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck.
Gem Pursuit goes Stateside! In front of a live audience at the Original Miami Beach Antique Show 2025, Matthew and Alyce tell the incredible story of Jack Roland Murphy - AKA Murph the Surf - one of the most notorius jewellery thieves in US history. Hear the details of the infamous heist of the Museum of Natural History in New York where he and his crew managed to steal the Star of India sapphire before it all went horribly wrong... www.courtville.ie Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck.
Matthew and Alyce start off the year with a quick visit to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, one of the most impressive gemstone and mineral collections in the world. Alyce puts Matthew's gem knowledge to the test, while Matthew concentrates on keeping them both out of trouble... www.courtville.ie Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck.
In our final Gem Pursuit episode of the year, we answer some of our listeners burning antique jewellery questions. Matthew and Alyce reveal what's in their own personal collections, clear up which is the most valuable colour for sapphires and shed some light on the significance of colour seasons when choosing that dream piece of jewellery, as well as answering many more insightful questions from the Gem Pursuit community. There may or may not also be a festive duet of Auld Lang Syne to serenade you into 2025... www.courtville.ie Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck.
Our final icon in this series is Alyce's all time favourite, La Doña, Maria Felix, the Mexican film star who was renowned for her exquisite beauty and charisma. Alyce and Matthew discuss her phenomenal jewellery collection which included the Ashoka diamond as well as taking another look at her iconic serpent and crocodile necklaces from Cartier. We also share some important advice on what to look out for when buying serpent jewellery, while Matthew and Alyce go head to head in the final round of Gem Trivial Pursuit! www.courtville.ie Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck.
The life of Evalyn Walsh McLean - a mining heiress and socialite in the early 20th century - is perhaps the quintessential story of the American dream. Her Jewellery Icon status was never in doubt due to her ownership of two of the most legendary diamonds in history - the Hope Diamond and the Star of the East. Matthew and Alyce also discuss the curse of the Hope Diamond and its origins, while Alyce makes it very clear how she feels about jewellery thieves. www.courtville.ie Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck.