Joanna Hardy – SPEAKERS
Emerald 21 centuries of jewelled opulence
Independent fine jewellery specialist
Emeralds have been revered by Maharajas, Tsars, Emperors and Empresses throughout history. It has also been the chosen gem to adorn some of the most iconic and powerful individuals of the 20th century. We will discover the stories and the journeys that lie behind some extraordinary emeralds which have been lost and found, hidden and revealed in some of the world’s most iconic jewels.
This lecture coincides with Joanna Hardy’s book ‘Emerald’ Thames and Hudson.
JOANNA HARDY F.G.A BIOGRAPHY
Joanna Hardy is an independent fine jewellery specialist with over 35 years experience working in the jewellery industry. She began her career training as a goldsmith at Sir John Cass College before working as a rough diamond grader for De Beers. She then became a polished diamond dealer in Antwerp and then joined Philips the Auctioneers in London. She moved on to Sotheby’s and was their senior jewellery specialist and auctioneer for fourteen years and since 2009 has worked independently.
Joanna lectures and writes articles for publications worldwide and is a published author with her books, ‘Collect Contemporary Jewelry’, ‘Emerald’, ‘Ruby’, published by Thames and Hudson and a contributing author to ‘Graff’ published by Rizzoli and ‘Cartier Panthère published by Assouline. She curates contemporary jewellery exhibitions and has recently launched her Online Fine Jewellery School. Joanna is a Fellow of the Gemmological Association, Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, a Liveryman and Court Assistant of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths as well as being a regular jewellery specialist on the television series BBC Antiques Roadshow.
