A complete UK buyer's guide to choosing a loose gemstone for an engagement ring. Learn what to look for, what questions to ask, and why natural untreated spinel from Mogok is one of the finest choices.
There is a valley in northern Myanmar where the ground has been yielding precious gemstones for over 800 years. This is the story of Mogok — its geology, its history, and why natural untreated spinel from this valley is one of the rarest and most misunderstood gemstones in the world.
For centuries, spinel was the world's most misunderstood gemstone. Today, natural Mogok spinel commands serious attention from jewellers, designers and collectors who value rarity, authenticity and provenance. Here is everything you need to know.
Think about the last time you admired a vibrant ruby or a deep blue sapphire. The chances are high — over 90%, by most industry estimates — that the stone you were looking at had been heat treated. The same applies to the vast majority of emeralds, which are routinely clarity enhanced using oils ...
Discover why fine, untreated Mogok spinel is vastly rarer than diamond in the form most shoppers can actually buy — and why jewellery designers across London are choosing it for one-of-a-kind engagement rings.
Learn how trusted gems wholesalers in the UK offer traceable sourcing through honest methods, personal selection, and a hands-on approach. Keep reading!
Finding the right gemstone shop can feel harder than it should. Especially if you're buying for the first time, the online search often brings up dozens of polished listings, all featuring similar photos and familiar-sounding descriptions. It can get noisy fast. On top of that, many people don’t ...
Walking into a typical gem shop in London might bring to mind rows of glass cabinets, bright lighting, and a polished showroom. But that’s not always the case. Some of us operate a little differently, by appointment only, outside the traditional retail setup. It might seem unusual at first, but t...
Trying to buy untreated gemstones can feel overwhelming. If you’re in London or anywhere in the UK, the mix of advice, inconsistent descriptions, and polished images that don’t match reality can make it hard to know who to trust.
That’s why it helps to slow things down. Once you know what “untrea...
Natural spinel has long appealed to those who value authenticity, richness, and lasting beauty. Unlike many gemstones on the market, natural spinel is almost always untreated, meaning it doesn’t need heat or chemical enhancements to reveal its colour or clarity. While rare, minor treatments of so...