Louped: The podcast for the gem and jewellery curious

About Louped: The podcast for the gem and jewellery curious

Just as it says in the title. Together, my co-hosts and I will take you along the branching pathways of the jewellery world and the gem industry. We'll talk science, artistry, practicality, history, value, and even get into curses and superstitions. If you've ever been curious about what you're wearing or if that engagement ring really is an investment, give us a listen.

Publisher

Kate & Cem

Category

arts · history

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

9 Jan 2026

Latest episode

22 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

24 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   22 Oct 2026

   Opals Part 2

   Welcome back to our second opal episode of October! This week we chat about the science and value side of this phenomenal gemstone. What causes play-of-colour and do all opals showcase this internal rainbow? Where can we find opals? How are they formed? And many more questions are asked and sort of answered in this our last opal episode! We have of course added some additional resources below, as well as our contact details and our Buy Me A Coffee link if you feel so inclined. Also, if you would like to contribute to Cem's project, please reach out, we would love to hear from you! We hope you enjoy Opals Part 2 and make sure to check back in at the end of the month for a little spooky surprise... Additional Resources: https://www.planetary.org/articles/20131014-the-gems-of-mars (https://www.planetary.org/articles/20131014-the-gems-of-mars) https://www.ft.com/content/87ebc2f8-fb21-4d8d-8657-06efb032edaf (https://www.ft.com/content/87ebc2f8-fb21-4d8d-8657-06efb032edaf) https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/dinosaur-bones-encrusted-opal-reveal-new-species-australia-180972332/ (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/dinosaur-bones-encrusted-opal-reveal-new-species-australia-180972332/) https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/scientists-and-miners-team-up-preserve-opalized-fossils-180972734/ (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/scientists-and-miners-team-up-preserve-opalized-fossils-180972734/) https://www.ga.gov.au/education/minerals-energy/australian-mineral-facts/opal (https://www.ga.gov.au/education/minerals-energy/australian-mineral-facts/opal) https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6272955 (https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6272955) https://gem-a.com/gem-hub/the-world-s-most-famous-opal-gemstones/ (https://gem-a.com/gem-hub/the-world-s-most-famous-opal-gemstones/) https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevornace/2016/07/25/virgin-rainbow-is-the-worlds-rarest-opal/ (https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevornace/2016/07/25/virgin-rainbow-is-the-worlds-rarest-opal/) https://www.opal.academy/home/2020/8/17/template-nomenclature-e2564-5pw5z-x993j-ga7a5-3tr5p-cl5mt-2cbzx-bwg7y (https://www.opal.academy/home/2020/8/17/template-nomenclature-e2564-5pw5z-x993j-ga7a5-3tr5p-cl5mt-2cbzx-bwg7y) https://calvin.edu/news-stories/mineral-treasures-opal (https://calvin.edu/news-stories/mineral-treasures-opal) https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/winter-2015-splendor-outback-australia-opal-fields (https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/winter-2015-splendor-outback-australia-opal-fields) If you have any questions or would like to comment on an episode, you can reach us on Instagram @loupedpodcast or by email at loupedpodcast@gmail.com (mailto:loupedpodcast@gmail.com) Or if you'd like to buy us a coffee, you can do so here! buymeacoffee.com/loupedpodcast (http://buymeacoffee.com/loupedpodcast)

2. 

   8 Oct 2026

   Opals Part 1

   Welcome October or (for those of you who celebrate) Spooky-Season! We are delighted to be discussing opals this month. When questioned, many of our industry friends had a polarising view of this phenomenal gemstone. Some really love the play-of-colour while others wouldn't give opals a second glance. If you feel strongly about this gemstone, let us know, we'd be curious to hear what your thoughts are. We have of course added some additional resources below, as well as our contact details and our Buy Me A Coffee link if you feel so inclined. We hope you enjoy this first of our October episodes and please join us in wishing a happy birthday to all those who celebrate this month! Additional Resources: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/62704/62704-h/62704-h.htm (https://www.gutenberg.org/files/62704/62704-h/62704-h.htm) https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1386236/pliny-the-elder-historia-naturalis-illuminated-manuscript-pliny-the-elder/ (https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1386236/pliny-the-elder-historia-naturalis-illuminated-manuscript-pliny-the-elder/) https://www.nature.com/articles/141965c0#article-info (https://www.nature.com/articles/141965c0#article-info) https://collections.vam.ac.uk/search/?images_exist=true&page=1&page_size=15&q=opal (https://collections.vam.ac.uk/search/?images_exist=true&page=1&page_size=15&q=opal) https://psychcentral.com/blog/psychologys-history-of-being-mesmerized (https://psychcentral.com/blog/psychologys-history-of-being-mesmerized) https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/luxury/article/the-strange-tales-behind-the-jewels-at-the-v-and-a-times-luxury-w6hgx0xkd (https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/luxury/article/the-strange-tales-behind-the-jewels-at-the-v-and-a-times-luxury-w6hgx0xkd) https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/x11339 (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/x11339) https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/43678/pg43678-images.html (https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/43678/pg43678-images.html) https://www.gia.edu/opal-history-lore (https://www.gia.edu/opal-history-lore) https://www.gia.edu/birthstones/october-birthstones (https://www.gia.edu/birthstones/october-birthstones) Credit for the photograph and lovely jewellery to my mom, thanks Mom! If you have any questions or would like to comment on an episode, you can reach us on Instagram @loupedpodcast or by email at loupedpodcast@gmail.com (mailto:loupedpodcast@gmail.com) Or if you'd like to buy us a coffee, you can do so here! buymeacoffee.com/loupedpodcast (http://buymeacoffee.com/loupedpodcast)

3. 

   24 Sept 2026

   Sapphires Part 2

   Farewell September! Thank you for joining us on our final Sapphire episode of the month, we hope you have enjoyed this deep dive into this stunning gemstone. Please join us in wishing a final happy birthday to our September babies as well! Make sure to join us next month for a closer look at the mysteries of opal and perhaps even a special spook-tacular episode..... Additional Resources: https://www.gia.edu/sapphire-quality-factor (https://www.gia.edu/sapphire-quality-factor) https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/summer-2017-inclusions-sapphire (https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/summer-2017-inclusions-sapphire) https://caratx.com/blog/why-do-sapphires-come-in-so-many-colors-the-complete-scientific-guide (https://caratx.com/blog/why-do-sapphires-come-in-so-many-colors-the-complete-scientific-guide) https://www.forbes.com/sites/laiafarrangraves/2025/05/30/3509-carat-regent-kashmir-sapphire-makes-history-by-reaching-95-million/ (https://www.forbes.com/sites/laiafarrangraves/2025/05/30/3509-carat-regent-kashmir-sapphire-makes-history-by-reaching-95-million/) https://www.garrard.com/blogs/house/princess-diana-engagement-ring-inspired-1735-collection-sapphire-cluster-setting?srsltid=AfmBOopDcb7gGgvmTLFXgwDrTgmgq6qM5DilJRSFUkbnYKBgLGVequfZ (https://www.garrard.com/blogs/house/princess-diana-engagement-ring-inspired-1735-collection-sapphire-cluster-setting?srsltid=AfmBOopDcb7gGgvmTLFXgwDrTgmgq6qM5DilJRSFUkbnYKBgLGVequfZ) https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-a-superb-coloured-sapphire-and-diamond-ring-6113381/ (https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-a-superb-coloured-sapphire-and-diamond-ring-6113381/)? If you have any questions or would like to comment on an episode, you can reach us on Instagram @loupedpodcast or by email at loupedpodcast@gmail.com (mailto:loupedpodcast@gmail.com) Or if you'd like to buy us a coffee, you can do so here! buymeacoffee.com/loupedpodcast (http://buymeacoffee.com/loupedpodcast)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings