So Diana, people will be very interested to know how you start that process.

My dear, it's usually luck. You don't expect it. It just happens by accident.

I don't believe that, Diana, because I know how hard you work.

Well, my dear, it's my pleasure. It's my idea of fun.

Isn't it ridiculous?

But that's how I am.

Welcome to If Jewels Could Talk.

I'm Carol Walton, the voice of jewellery, an author, broadcaster, and the woman who initiated the role of Jewelry editor at magazines like Tatella and British Vogue.

This is a podcast for everyone.

For people who do like jewellery, for people who don't realise they like jewellery,

and anyone intrigued by fascinating facts, new ideas and forgotten histories.

So please join me as I tell sparkly tales meeting all sorts of people

delving into four centuries

of jewellery culture and investigate what's happening now.

I'm lucky enough today to be talking to THE Jewelry Academic, Diana Scaresbrick.

She's one of my personal heroines. She's a one woman

walking encyclopedia on the subject. She's an author, curator, specialist in neoclassical gems,

who has used her training as a historian from Oxford to explain the cultural, social and political significance

of jewellery. And over a 50-year career, she's written over 21 books and catalogs, including

definitive works, such as rings, jewelry, power and love and loyalty. And most recently,

diamonds 700 years of glory and glamour. She's accrued this

vast knowledge from intensive study and research, as well as actually possessing the objects.

...