Romancing the Stone: A Sparkling History...

Romancing the Stone: A Sparkling History of the Diamond. John Benjamin traces how man has mastered the technique of cutting and polishing diamonds, the hardest substance on earth. With historical slides, the various styles of cutting through history are discussed. The lecture also covers diamond jewellery through history; the use of silver, gold and platinum and their impact on design, and how diamonds are today identified and assessed; the role of the diamond laboratories; and the potential repercussions of imitations and synthetics. The lecture ends with a discussion of fancy diamonds and famous diamonds through history. John Benjamin is a jewellery historian, lecturer, author and broadcaster. Formerly International Director of Jewellery at Phillips Fine Art Auctioneers, since 1999 he has been an independent jewellery consultant on behalf of the private client network. John is well-known from his appearances over 30 years on BBC Television’s ever-popular Antiques Roadshow. He is a Freeman of the Goldsmiths’ Company, a Court Assistant and Founder Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Arts Scholars and in 2021 was appointed Honorary Jewellery Adviser to the National Trust.