The Micoryan Journal

Jewellery set with green teardrop gemstones
Coloured Gemstones Guide: Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald and Beyond
A friendly guide to the world's favourite coloured gemstones — what they are, their colours and hardness, and what to know before you buy. Read more...
Pearl ring with crystal halo setting
Engagement Ring Settings Explained: Solitaire, Halo, Pavé and Three-Stone
Solitaire, halo, pavé, three-stone, bezel and cluster — the ring setting shapes how the stone looks, sparkles and wears. A plain-English guide to each style. Read more...
Round brilliant moissanite ring in sterling silver
Diamond Shapes Explained: Round, Oval, Emerald, Princess and More
Round, oval, emerald, princess, pear, cushion and marquise — what each diamond shape actually looks like, how they differ, and how to choose the one that suits you. Read more...
How to Care for Natural Stone Jewellery: Jade, Agate, Turquoise, Amber and More
Natural stones vary enormously — agate is tough, amber is soft, turquoise is porous. A stone-by-stone care and storage guide so nothing fades, cracks or dulls. Read more...
How to Care for Cubic Zirconia Jewellery So It Keeps Its Sparkle
Cubic zirconia dulls faster than diamond or moissanite because oils cling to it readily — but a gentle clean brings it straight back. The full care and storage routine. Read more...
How to Care for Moissanite Jewellery: Does It Get Cloudy?
Moissanite does not permanently cloud — it just collects oils like any brilliant stone. How to clean moissanite, whether it scratches, and how to store it. Read more...
How to Care for Diamond Jewellery: Why Diamonds Go Dull and How to Fix It
Diamonds are the hardest natural material on Earth, yet they lose their sparkle surprisingly fast. Why it happens, how to clean them safely, and how to store them. Read more...
Wedding Anniversary Gemstones by Year: Which Stone Marks Each Milestone?
Silver for 25 years, pearl for 30, ruby for 40, gold for 50 — here is the full UK list of traditional wedding anniversary gemstones and metals by year, and how to choose a jewellery gift to match. Read more...
The Mohs Scale: How Scratch-Proof Is Your Jewellery, Really?
From soft amber to unscratchable diamond — a visual guide to the Mohs hardness scale, what it means for everyday wear, and why your pearls should never share a pouch with your moissanite. Read more...
Born in a Meteorite: The Strange True Story of How Moissanite Was Discovered
Moissanite was first found in fragments of a meteorite crater — and the chemist who discovered it initially thought he'd found diamonds. The true story of Henri Moissan, his Nobel Prize, and how a space mineral became the most affordable brilliant gem on Earth. Read more...
What Is Cubic Zirconia? An Honest Guide to CZ Jewellery
Cubic zirconia is one of the most misunderstood stones in jewellery. Here's what CZ actually is, how it compares with moissanite and diamond, and when it's a genuinely smart buy. Read more...
What Is Green Amber? And How to Tell Real Amber from Fake
Amber isn't a stone at all — it's fossilised tree resin millions of years old. What makes green amber special, the honest truth about how it gets its colour, and simple tests for spotting fakes. Read more...
The 4Cs of Diamonds Explained: Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat
Cut, colour, clarity, carat — the grading system behind every diamond price tag, explained in plain English, plus the smart-buyer tricks that save real money without visible difference. Read more...
How to Tell if a Diamond Is Real: Home Tests and What Actually Requires a Professional
The fog test, the newspaper test, UV light — which home diamond tests actually work, which are myths, and why even jewellers' thermal testers can be fooled by moissanite. Read more...
Birthstones by Month: The Complete Guide
All twelve birthstones — from January's garnet to December's turquoise — with the meaning behind each stone and honest notes on which ones need gentle care. Read more...
Lab-Grown Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds: What's Actually Different?
Lab-grown diamonds are chemically identical to mined ones — so why the price gap? How they're made, how they're graded, the honest truth about resale value, and where moissanite fits in. Read more...
Moissanite vs Diamond: An Honest Comparison
Moissanite sparkles more, costs a fraction of the price, and is nearly as hard — so what's the catch? A fact-based comparison of moissanite and diamond, from a store that sells moissanite. Read more...
Pearl Jewellery vs Diamond Jewellery: Which Should You Choose?
Pearl jewellery and diamond jewellery are two of the most enduring choices in fine jewellery — but they have very different looks, feels and price points. This guide helps you decide which is right for you. Read more...
Moissanite Engagement Rings UK: The Complete Buyer's Guide
Moissanite engagement rings are growing in popularity every year. They offer diamond-quality brilliance and durability at a fraction of the price. But is moissanite right for an engagement ring? Here's everything you need to know before buying. Read more...