Carats and Canvases – The Sparkling World of Gems, Jewelry and Art History.

18: Scorpio Season – Death, (re)Birth & the Art of Becoming
18: Scorpio Season – Death, (re)Birth & the Art of Becoming
A year of grief, new beginnings, and finding my way back to myself. Today's episode is a lot more personal and somber, touching topics such as coping with grief, and... Read more...
17: Born of Stars, Stolen from Gods – The Black Diamond Myth
17: Born of Stars, Stolen from Gods – The Black Diamond Myth
Let’s slip into the shadows and explore the world of black diamonds — cursed relics, cosmic wanderers, and the jewels that refuse to sparkle. From temple myths to supernovae, and... Read more...
16: Flesh of the Gods: Gold, Power & Obsession in Ancient Egypt
16: Flesh of the Gods: Gold, Power & Obsession in Ancient Egypt
From the sacred gold of the pharaohs to the scarab brooches of Victorian London, jewelry in ancient Egypt was never mere decoration — it was power, protection, and the promise... Read more...
15: Stay Weird, Stay You: A Love Letter (and Roast) of Gothic Jewelry & Subcultures
15: Stay Weird, Stay You: A Love Letter (and Roast) of Gothic Jewelry & Subcultures
What happens when the outcasts become the new gatekeepers? In Episode 15, we trace the origins of Gothic jewelry — its medieval roots, Victorian revivals, and its place in today’s... Read more...
14: Japonisme – The Quiet Art of Japanese Goldsmithing
14: Japonisme – The Quiet Art of Japanese Goldsmithing
From misted enamel to engraved signet rings, this episode explores the silent brilliance of Japanese craftsmanship — and how it forever changed Western jewelry. Accompany me on a journey from... Read more...
13: Cartier – The Everlasting Maison
13: Cartier – The Everlasting Maison
What makes Cartier timeless? In this episode, I explore how the legendary maison has stayed relevant for over 175 years — from royal tiaras and the Trinity ring to Jeanne... Read more...
12: Hallmarks of Humanity: Why Beauty still matters – On studying Gemology and Art History
12: Hallmarks of Humanity: Why Beauty still matters – On studying Gemology and Art History
In this deeply personal and reflective episode of Carats and Canvases, host DACE explores what it truly means to study beauty through the twin lenses of gemology and art history. From... Read more...
11: Fake Gems, Real Power – The Secrets of Royal Portraiture
11: Fake Gems, Real Power – The Secrets of Royal Portraiture
In this sparkling episode of Carats and Canvases, we dive into the glittering world of royal portraiture — where every pearl, diamond, and gemstone carries a deeper meaning. Join in as... Read more...
10: Jewels of the Living World: Art Nouveau and the Soul of Nature
10: Jewels of the Living World: Art Nouveau and the Soul of Nature
In this episode of Carats and Canvases, we journey into the luminous world of Art Nouveau — a time when jewelry blossomed into living art. Inspired by Japanese naturalism, artists like... Read more...
09: Hell forged in Gold: Byzantine Jewelry and the Apocrypha of the Afterlife
09: Hell forged in Gold: Byzantine Jewelry and the Apocrypha of the Afterlife
In this episode of Carats and Canvases, we journey into the luminous shadows of Byzantium—an empire where gold wasn’t just decoration, but a medium for divine presence. From cloisonné enamel and... Read more...
08: Jewelry History I: Diamonds, Déco & Defiance – The Glittering Rebellion of the 1920s
08: Jewelry History I: Diamonds, Déco & Defiance – The Glittering Rebellion of the 1920s
Grab your pearls and pour a cocktail—because we’re diving headfirst into the glitz and glamour of Art Deco jewelry! In this episode of Carats and Canvases, the first of a jewelry... Read more...
07: The Tiffany Diamond – A Gilded Age Marvel in the Heart of NYC
07: The Tiffany Diamond – A Gilded Age Marvel in the Heart of NYC
Step into the dazzling world of high jewelry as we unravel the story of one of the most famous gemstones in history—The Tiffany Diamond. From its fiery origins in South Africa’s... Read more...
06: A petite fugue in NYC, part II – The Met Cloisters: Europe's Hits....or America's Remix?
06: A petite fugue in NYC, part II – The Met Cloisters: Europe's Hits....or America's Remix?
Europe has medieval abbeys and ancient cloisters—America has The Cloisters, a carefully curated, stone-by-stone remix of medieval art and architecture. In this episode, we dive into the history of the Met... Read more...
05: A petite fugue in NYC, part I – European Impressionism and the Met's Curation Conundrum
05: A petite fugue in NYC, part I – European Impressionism and the Met's Curation Conundrum
Join me on a whirlwind tour of the Met, where I basked in the brilliance of European Impressionism—Monet’s dreamy landscapes, Van Gogh's swirling skies, and the art of capturing light... Read more...
04: Fabergé – Jewels, Legends and the Fall of a Dynasty
04: Fabergé – Jewels, Legends and the Fall of a Dynasty
The House of Fabergé was more than just a jeweler—it was a symbol of imperial opulence and artistic mastery. From Carl Fabergé’s rise to prominence at the Russian court to... Read more...
03: The Solid Gold Birkin
03: The Solid Gold Birkin
In this episode of Carats and Canvases, we dive into the dazzling fusion of high fashion and high jewelry: Pierre Hardy’s solid gold Hermès Birkin. Crafted from 18K rose gold and... Read more...
02: Adorned Aristocracy
02: Adorned Aristocracy
In this episode of Carats and Canvases, we will delve into the glittering world of Frances Anne Vane, the formidable Marchioness of Londonderry. Known for her political influence and opulent taste,... Read more...
01: Introduction
01: Introduction
This short introduction will give you a bit of an impression of what's to come, the type of topics we'll chat about in the future, why I'm doing this and... Read more...