Pearls hold many fascinating secrets, from Cleopatra famously dissolving one in wine to prove her wealth, to Cartier trading a Fifth Avenue mansion for a single pearl necklace. Their history is as rich as their lustre. But what truly sets pearls apart is their origin: unlike any other gemstone, they are the only ones created by living creatures. Formed within molluscs, these organic gems are rare treasures of the natural world.

Diamonds have always captivated the human imagination, with their sparkle associated with power, wealth, and mystique. The earliest known diamonds were discovered in India as far back as the 4th century BCE, and evidence suggests they may have been used in jewellery and trade as early as 1,000 BCE. For centuries, India remained the world’s only known source of diamonds, and the Golconda region stood out for producing diamonds of exceptional quality, known for their extraordin