Author Archives: Duncan Parker

About Duncan Parker

Duncan Parker, FGA, FCGmA, CAP (CJA), Vice President. Duncan is a columnist and contributor for industry magazines and journals. He has been an instructor of the gemstone course at Ryerson University, the Gemmology courses of George Brown College and Canadian Gemmological Association as well as instructor Master Valuer Program with the Canadian Jewellers Association. A renowned expert, he speaks regularly at international gem and jewellery conferences and symposiums, as well as at less formal events. He has served as President of the Canadian Gemmological Association since 1995. Before joining Dupuis Auctioneers, Duncan was a director of research at Harold Weinstein Ltd., a leading and respected jewellery appraisal company.

Tiaras and crowns

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Duncan Parker

Tiara: A Jeweller’s Crowning Achievement Once in a rare while, a tiara becomes available to the auction bidder. Tiaras are the essence of elegance, and always turn a gathering into an event. They convert a dance into a ball, the … Continue reading →

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Inclusions in Gems, a view of the inner world of gemstones

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Duncan Parker

 INCLUSIONS  IN GEMS A view of the inner world of gemstones The inner world of gems is fascinating. Inclusions found within gems are the things that get gemmologists hooked on this science. We love to look at the fascinating crystals, … Continue reading →

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ABC of Gems

Posted on December 12, 2014 by Duncan Parker

There is a beautiful and interesting gem for almost every letter of the alphabet. We all had an A B C book when we were little, why not carry this forward into our adult life (or our continued childhood) with … Continue reading →

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Garnet: A Gem of All Colours

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Duncan Parker

Garnets are among the most familiar gems, and they are the birthstone for January. We usually think of garnets as brownish red, but they come in a rainbow of colours and are among the most interesting gems available.  They are … Continue reading →

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Colour in diamonds

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Duncan Parker

  We usually think of diamonds as being colourless sparkly beauties that create joy among the recipients. And so they are. However, we also have diamonds that are colourful sparkly beauties, too. Colour is a property of almost all diamonds, … Continue reading →

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Nature in Jewels

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Duncan Parker

The work of the goldsmith and jewellery artist constantly reveals influences of nature in jewels. Faberge’s eggs, made to commemorate birth, life and reconciliation are an obvious example. The sprays of flowers that were so popular in the 1950’s and … Continue reading →

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Jewels tell stories

Posted on July 15, 2014 by Duncan Parker

 Jewels tell stories, sometimes publicly, and sometimes secretly All jewels tell stories. An engagement ring carries the story of love. A wedding ring carries the story of something never-ending within its unbroken circle. An eternity ring emphasizes that unending circle of … Continue reading →

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Natural Pearls, rare beauties of the natural world, and how we identify them

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Duncan Parker

Natural pearls are a very rare thing. They have grown by accident, and are the product of incredible good fortune. Once upon a time people would dive, time after time, into the ocean, searching for the one elusive “oyster” that … Continue reading →

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Diamond Shapes

Posted on June 26, 2014 by Duncan Parker

Diamond Shapes Diamond shapes are widely varied. There is a reason; a diamond crystal is like so many products of nature; slightly variable within a general form. A perfect diamond crystal is an octahedron, in the form of a four … Continue reading →

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Birthstones in fine jewellery?

Posted on May 15, 2014 by Duncan Parker

We all have preferences in our choice of gemstones, but one thing we might feel more connected to is our birthstone. Birthstones are gems that have been chosen for astrological reasons and are associated with certain months. In almost every … Continue reading →

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