The C Word

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We’re joined by special guest host Stella Toonen as we explore a topic with many synonyms: public programming, outreach, adult learning, and so many more! We get enthused about ideas for events that conservation can get in on, and talk about the many pitfalls – and benefits – of co-creation in museums.

01:06 What’s this episode about?
03:52 Stella’s outreach journey
05:50 Kloe’s experiences facilitating events
09:39 Jenny’s experiences working with the public
13:27 Growing audiences and different offers
19:40 Examples of events for grown-ups
25:44 Saddling an artist with the work of museums
28:53 Stella’s research around co-creation
35:09 Involve conservators early!
38:02 Inspo for learning events
46:03 Comments, questions, and corrections
53:49 Patreon appeal and shout out

Show Notes:
– Follow Stella here: https://twitter.com/StellaToonen
– Stella’s website: https://stellatoonencom.wordpress.com/
– S11E03 Working with Learning: https://thecword.show/2022/04/20/s11e03-working-with-learning/
– Heritage Open Days: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/
– S05E06 Touchy Feely: https://thecword.show/2019/05/29/s05e06-touchy-feely/
– Ladder of Participation explained: https://organizingengagement.org/models/ladder-of-citizen-participation/
– Tania Bruguera at the Tate: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/tania-bruguera-11982
– Tate: https://www.tate.org.uk/
– The Whitworth: https://www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/
– Queens Museum: https://queensmuseum.org/
– Awards, grants and scholarships mentioned for students: https://www.artsscholars.org/awards-grants-scholarships

Support us on Patreon!

Hosted by Jenny Mathiasson, Kloe Rumsey, and Stella Toonen.

Intro and outro music by DDmyzik, used under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.

A Wooden Dice production, 2023.

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We’re joined by curator Karen Logan as we talk about working with collections that stir up emotions and recent memories: from The Troubles in Northern Ireland to Brexit and activism. Also tune in for Kloe’s thoughts and feelings on human remains and other displays as she visited Egypt in February.

04:00 How did this episode come about?
08:26 What are The Troubles?
15:40 What to include
18:10 Contemporary collecting
23:40 Including people is powerful
26:11 Audience differences
27:50 Collecting Brexit
32:24 Responding to challenges
39:49 Kloe’s visit to NMEC
47:20 Patreon appeal and shout out

Show Notes:
– National Museums NI: https://www.nationalmuseumsni.org/
– The Troubles according to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles
– Collecting The Troubles and Beyond: https://www.nationalmuseumsni.org/resources/collecting-troubles-and-beyond
– Collecting Cultures by NHLF: https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/about/insight/evaluation/collecting-cultures-evaluation
– PHM collecting: https://phm.org.uk/collections/
– James Ellis (actor): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Ellis_(actor)
– Nothing About Us Without Us exhibition: https://phm.org.uk/exhibitions/nothing-about-us-without-us/
– National Museum of Egyptian Civilization: https://nmec.gov.eg/

Support us on Patreon!

Hosted by Jenny Mathiasson, Kloe Rumsey, and Karen Logan.

Intro and outro music by DDmyzik, used under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.

A Wooden Dice production, 2023.

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We have a chat amongst ourselves about the process of becoming an accredited conservator, as seen by two mid-career people staring at the application form in fear and distress. This episode contains snippets of both Jenny’s and Kloe’s thoughts on the very early stages of getting ready to even apply, being on the Pathway (PACR), and some of the notable barriers. Kloe also interviews Heather Doyle about how accreditation works and how it will be changing, and Dear Jane handles a question about how to pitch for more hours of work.

00:00:33 Jenny’s long road on the Pathway
00:05:38 Kloe’s speed-run
00:11:26 The murky history of accreditation
00:16:01 Evidence is everything
00:21:27 Reasons to go for it
00:23:41 Specialisms are made up
00:29:50 Jenny frets about things after a workshop
00:32:36 Kloe’s commitment
00:37:17 Kloe’s anxiety about specialisms and forms
00:40:49 Kloe’s confused about mentors
00:42:08 Kloe discovers the Pathway
00:43:35 Kloe’s funding issues
00:45:20 Interview with Heather Doyle
01:12:56 Postscript (sort of)
01:16:18 Dear Jane
01:23:59 Patreon shout out and appeal

Show Notes:
– All about Icon accreditation: https://www.icon.org.uk/accreditation.html
– The Conservation Register: https://www.conservationregister.com/

Support us on Patreon!

Hosted by Jenny Mathiasson and Kloe Rumsey.

Intro and outro music by DDmyzik, used under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.

A Wooden Dice production, 2023.

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We talk to community-building conservator Melissa King about nurturing communication between collections care professionals and the growing preservation community at Conserv. Jenny also talks to heritage consultant Sarah Marsom about being a moderator online, and to chief exec Sara Crofts about Icon’s use of Discord and Basecamp. Don’t forget to tune in for a Dear Jane about getting some conservation experience in South Africa!

00:02:15 Web based communities and conservation
00:04:27 Whatever happened to forums?
00:09:44 Different ways and levels of engaging
00:10:50 Kloe feels clueless (but isn’t really)
00:16:39 Developing communities for different audiences
00:20:05 Platform options out there
00:25:09 Being too afraid to post
00:31:11 Kloe joins the Conserv community
00:37:26 Jenny wants a Mastodon instance for conservators
00:40:17 Interview with Sarah Marsom
00:53:40 Interview with Sara Crofts
01:04:50 Dear Jane
01:12:24 Patreon shout out and funding plea

Show Notes:
– Join the Conserv Community here: https://community.conserv.io/join?invitation_token=18de977edaf111954e06b897a6ab0356181e1c1a-97dcab76-66ae-4e51-8831-e2d9f5d886f4
– Conserv: https://bit.ly/3TvkFfB
– S09E04 Environmental Monitoring: https://thecword.show/2021/05/05/s09e04-environmental-monitoring/
– Conserv’s upcoming conference: https://conserv.io/preservation-matters-2023/
– Conservation DistList archives: https://cool.culturalheritage.org/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/
– Global Conservation Forum: https://community.culturalheritage.org/communities/community-home?CommunityKey=ea3d002c-9fc3-4446-b7d2-c308f5faed13
– Online communities as defined by Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_community
– Connecting to Collections Care community: https://connectingtocollections.org/
– ConCode: https://www.concode.info/
– A quick guide to Facebook Groups: https://www.lifewire.com/facebook-groups-4103720
– Discord: https://discord.com/
– Slack: https://slack.com/
– Circle: https://circle.so/
– Cardiff Conservation Graduates FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/132162183909/
– FREELANCE Conservators in Private Practice FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1679578638848189/
– Art Conservation Advocates FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/artconservationadvocates/
– Reddit’s /r/MuseumPros: https://www.reddit.com/r/MuseumPros/
– Reddit’s /r/ArtConservation: https://www.reddit.com/r/ArtConservation/
– A succinct explanation to the Fediverse: https://gist.github.com/joepie91/f924e846c24ec7ed82d6d554a7e7c9a8
– The GLAM server on Mastodon: https://glammr.us/
– Sarah Marsom: https://www.sarahmarsom.com/
– Historic Preservation Professionals FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PreservationProfessionals
– National Council of Public History on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/publichistorians
– Basecamp: https://basecamp.com/
– Example of Cex Drop-In Session via Icon: https://www.icon.org.uk/events/cex-drop-in-session-april-2023-2.html
– ICOM-CC open access papers treasure trove: https://www.icom-cc-publications-online.org/
– Studies in Conservation: https://www.iiconservation.org/publications/sic
– JAIC: https://www.culturalheritage.org/publications/journal-(jaic)
– JIC: https://www.icon.org.uk/resources/journal-of-the-institute-of-conservation.html
– AICCM Bulletin: https://aiccm.org.au/publications/aiccm-bulletin/
– Thoughts on commercial taxidermy skills: https://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/conservation/2310-2/
– Connect with Monique Vajifdar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monique-vajifdar-470025211/
– South African Museums Association: https://samuseums.co.za/

Support us on Patreon!

Hosted by Jenny Mathiasson, Kloe Rumsey, and Melissa King.

Intro and outro music by DDmyzik, used under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.

A Wooden Dice production, 2023.

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As we huddle up in a pew with Dr Sarah Turner we talk about Christmas in cathedrals, play a parlour game of Five Things, and make some predictions for the year ahead. Kloe talks to Beth Gillions about her time as a caretaker at Westminster Chapel in winter, and Todd Wright sings our rendition of ‘Silent Night’ for some extra feels. Also tune in for a review of ‘National Treasures: Saving the Nation’s Art in World War II’ from Jenny and a Dear Jane about pre-programme experience in the US. Happy holidays!

02:02 Uses of church spaces and collections around Christmas
08:59 Five Things parlour game
19:00 Annual predictions
24:19 Interview with Beth Gillions
32:27 Install Night (Christmas song)
34:22 Review: National Treasures
37:30 Dear Jane

Show Notes:
– Canterbury Cathedral: https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/
– Lambeth conference: https://www.lambethconference.org/
– Vestments: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vestment
– Liturgical colours: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liturgical_colours
– Jenny’s favourite Disney film: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunchback_of_Notre_Dame_(1996_film)
– Westminster Chapel: https://westminsterchapel.org.uk/
– More music by Todd Wright (our singer this year): https://open.spotify.com/artist/4774AfmqyBy6472bdgGD5F
– National Treasures by Caroline Shenton: https://www.carolineshenton.co.uk/book/national-treasures-saving-the-nations-art-in-world-war-ii/
– Example of online volunteering (in the UK): https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/get-involved/volunteering/volunteering-opportunities/remote-opportunities/
– Repair cafe movement: https://www.repaircafe.org/en/
– State of NC Internship Program: https://ncadmin.nc.gov/public/internship-program-2023

***

Install Night (vocals by Todd Wright, lyrics by Kloe Rumsey, Beth Gillions, and Morgan Fox)

Install night, loans done right
Objects in crates, snug and tight,
Weatherproof, padded with Plastazote foam,
Labelled sections in temporary homes
Acclimate them for install
Acclimate them for install

Install night, gloves in sight
Forms laid out on which couriers will write,
No change occurred on the journey here
Loan reports for take-down next year
Per diem and a budget meal
Per diem and a budget meal

***

Support us on Patreon!

Hosted by Jenny Mathiasson, Kloe Rumsey, and Dr Sarah Turner.

Intro and outro music by DDmyzik, used under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.

A Wooden Dice production, 2022.

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Together with special co-host Sean Kelly we talk about all things redevelopment: from the strange sensation of taking things off display, to the joy of opening the doors, and why museum work never stops. Also tune in for interviews with Georgina Young from Manchester Museum, Alex Cropper from Manchester Jewish Museum, and Chris Weeks from Manx National Heritage.

00:00:51 What’s happening in Paisley?
00:05:24 Putting collections in new places
00:07:44 The odd melancholy of a decant
00:13:47 Building design and collections care
00:19:21 How long does a big funding bid take?
00:23:04 Why do we redevelop and who decides?
00:29:06 The things people get upset about
00:39:51 How often do you redevelop?
00:45:27 Interview with Georgina Young
00:57:20 Interview with Alex Cropper
01:06:07 Interview with Chris Weeks

Show Notes:
– Paisley Museum and Art Galleries: https://paisley.is/paisley-museum-and-art-galleries/
– City of Culture: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_City_of_Culture
– Carmarthenshire Museums and an old Debenhams: https://newsroom.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/2022/08/former-debenhams-building-to-be-used-to-bring-together-key-public-services-all-under-one-roof/#.Y494XOzP2A4
– ALA projects: https://www.ala.uk.com/selected-projects/
– The Wellcome thread everyone got oddly upset about: https://twitter.com/ExploreWellcome/status/1596091202381975552
– Wellcome gallery closure statement: https://wellcomecollection.org/pages/Y4TdMBAAACMApB14
– Ipswich Museum redevelopment: https://ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk/ipswichmuseumredevelopment/
– People being angry at Ipswich redevelopment plans: https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/local-council/20706027.ipswich-museum-addresses-petition-reassures-history-will-preserved/
– Article Kloe was quoting: https://www.victoriansociety.org.uk/news/ipswich-museum-under-threat-from-historically-insensitive-redevelopment
– What’s happening to the old Museum of London site: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/nov/27/museum-of-london-plans-to-demlish-site-bastion-house-sheppard-robson-diller-scofidio-renfro-centre-for-music
– Manchester Museum’s Hello Future redevelopment: https://www.museum.manchester.ac.uk/about/hellofuture/
– Manchester Jewish Museum: https://www.manchesterjewishmuseum.com/
– Manx National Heritage: https://manxnationalheritage.im/
– Isle of Man TT Gallery project: https://manxnationalheritage.im/about-us/isle-of-man-tt-gallery/
– Zenzie Tinker Conservation: https://www.zenzietinker.co.uk/

Support us on Patreon!

Hosted by Jenny Mathiasson, Kloe Rumsey, and Sean Kelly.

Intro and outro music by DDmyzik, used under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.

A Wooden Dice production, 2022.

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Join us for another tranquil boat episode with conservator Pierrette Squires as we talk about time management. How do you estimate how long a treatment will take? How do you handle project slip, unexpected overtime, and an overflowing inbox? How do you structure the day when you’re self-employed? Also tune in for a Dear Jane about stakeholders and furry friends.

00:02:51 Kloe’s experience and approach
00:08:42 Building the skill of estimates
00:11:46 Jenny’s struggles
00:16:21 The Out of Office message and emails
00:24:52 Pierrette’s approach as a manager
00:30:36 Lists and calendars
00:44:35 Working with others (slight interference here)
00:47:50 Exceptional circumstances
00:53:11 Suddenly priority
00:59:04 Advice for beginners
01:00:45 Dear Jane
01:03:49 Comments, questions, and corrections

Show Notes:
– S12E05 Disability in Conservation: https://thecword.show/2022/11/09/s12e05-disability-in-conservation/
– Toggl: https://toggl.com/
– Adam Savage on check boxes and lists: https://www.wired.com/story/adam-savage-lists-more-lists-power-checkboxes/
– Example of a circular wall planner: https://www.theroundmethod.com/products/circular-calendar-digital-download-pdf
– Visit our shop: https://www.thecword.show/shop

Support us on Patreon!

Hosted by Jenny Mathiasson, Kloe Rumsey, and Pierrette Squires.

Intro and outro music by DDmyzik, used under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.

A Wooden Dice production, 2022.

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Join us on a tranquil houseboat as we talk about being conservators with disabilities with special guest host Pierrette Squires. We share our various experiences and set the world to rights (with ducks in the background). Also tune in for a Dear Jane about accreditation, a tour of the new ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’ exhibition with Kloe, and a review of ‘The Routledge Companion to Art and Disability’ from Jenny.

00:01:35 Jenny’s experiences
00:03:53 Pierrette’s hearing loss
00:07:09 Kloe’s struggles
00:12:46 Relating to others and appreciating yourself
00:17:55 Shout out to placement students with disabilities
00:19:17 Are there more disabled conservators now?
00:21:01 Recruitment and the fear of discrimination
00:25:37 How to be a more supportive workplace
00:33:33 How flexible working has transformed our health
00:36:40 Training ahead of an exhibition
00:42:21 How society (and conservation) disables us
00:44:00 Reactions to disability and access issues
00:52:29 Disability represented in museum collections
00:58:18 Access for visitors: lights, touch, and adjustments
01:07:00 CPD issues
01:11:34 Discussion of the AIC report
01:20:37 Dear Jane
01:26:20 Review: The Routledge Companion to Art and Disability
01:32:29 Kloe takes us behind the scenes

Show Notes:
– Equality Act 2010: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equality-act-2010-guidance
– Definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010: https://www.gov.uk/definition-of-disability-under-equality-act-2010
– Menieres disease: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menieres-disease/
– S01E01 Demographics: https://thecword.show/2017/02/15/demographics/
– Adult ADHD screening test: https://adhduk.co.uk/adult-adhd-screening-survey/
– Work of the Icon Diversity & Inclusion Task & Finish Group: https://www.icon.org.uk/resource-report/diversity-and-inclusion-task-and-finish-group-report.html
– Exhibition about disabled people’s activism: https://phm.org.uk/exhibitions/nothing-about-us-without-us-3/
– Social vs medical model of disability: https://www.ombudsman.org.uk/sites/default/files/FDN-218144_Introduction_to_the_Social_and_Medical_Models_of_Disability.pdf
– Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People: https://gmcdp.com/
– Spoon theory: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoon_theory
– S05E06 Touchy Feely: https://thecword.show/2019/05/29/s05e06-touchy-feely/
– Accessibility in Conservation Survey report from AIC: https://www.culturalheritage.org/docs/default-source/publications/reports/survey-reports/accessibility-in-conservation-report.pdf
– The Routledge Companion to Art and Disability: https://www.routledge.com/The-Routledge-Companion-to-Art-and-Disability/Watson-Hiles/p/book/9780367444785

Support us on Patreon!

Hosted by Jenny Mathiasson, Kloe Rumsey, and Pierrette Squires.

Intro and outro music by DDmyzik, used under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.

A Wooden Dice production, 2022.

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Jenny and Kloe share some conservation horror stories, including mysterious tales of possessed equipment and phantasmal fans. Break it down to our Halloween song ‘The Monstrous Crash’ and then wind down with a review of ‘Ghost Stories of the British Museum Audio Guide’ by Noah Angell. Finally Jenny shares some pumpkin preservation tips for everyone’s Halloween needs!

02:59 Can anyone offer us a haunted place to visit?
04:23 Jenny’s possessed air quality monitor
06:40 Kloe’s mysterious fan incident
15:26 What’s the spookiest museum object you’ve ever come across?
19:16 What’s the scariest thing you’ve found in the store?
27:50 The scariest job offers
29:50 Kloe’s addendum on The Fan Incident
31:40 The Monstrous Crash
35:27 Review: Ghost Stories of the British Museum Audio Guide
38:02 Comments, questions, corrections
38:33 Pumpkin preservation

Show Notes:
– S08E04 Halloween Special: https://thecword.show/2020/10/28/s08e04-halloween-special/
– S10E04 Halloween Special: https://thecword.show/2021/10/28/s10e04-halloween-special/
– European Day of Conservation-Restoration: https://www.ecco-eu.org/european-day-of-conservation-restoration/
– S09E06 Leather: https://thecword.show/2021/06/02/s09e06-leather/
– S01E02 Human Remains: https://thecword.show/2017/03/15/s01e02-human-remains/
– S07E02 Frightful Beasts and Where to Find Them: https://thecword.show/2020/04/29/s07e02-frightful-beasts-and-where-to-find-them/
– Spitting Image (TV series): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spitting_Image
– S02E05 Modern Materials: https://thecword.show/2017/10/18/s02e05-modern-materials/
– Meaco environmental monitoring (to verify hauntings): https://meaco.co.uk/
– Ghost Stories of the British Museum Audio Guide: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/ghost-stories-of-the-british-museum-audio-guide/1529228148
– S12E03 Gemstones and Minerals: https://thecword.show/2022/10/12/s12e03-gemstones-and-minerals/
– Making your jack-o-lantern last longer: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/guides/how-to-make-your-pumpkins-last-longer/

***

The Monstrous Crash (vocals by Steve Waddington and the Case Kickers, lyrics by Jenny Mathiasson, James Baillie, Ross Graham and Morgan Fox)

I was working in the lab late one night,
When an eerie noise gave me a fright
I heard new voices I did not recognise,
And suddenly to my surprise,

(There was a crash) There was a monstrous crash!
(A monstrous crash) Something reduced to trash
(There was a crash) I set off at a dash!

(There was a crash) What a monstrous crash!

With gloves in hand I dashed down the hall

No answers from paintings, hung upon the walls
No response from the medieval gallery where
An armoured suit gave me a steely glare…

(There was a crash) There was a monstrous crash!
(A monstrous crash) Something reduced to trash
(There was a crash) I set off at a dash!

(There was a crash) What a monstrous crash!

This report will not be fun, telling bosses what’s been done

The mess might be abhorrent – my work may be undone!

And I rounded the corner, in quite a fright,

But just got stony looks from all the ammonites,
Then the burial goods it was time to brave,
Where votive figures are all silent as the grave

(There was a crash) There was a monstrous crash!
(A monstrous crash) Something reduced to trash
(There was a crash) I set off at a dash!

(There was a crash) What a monstrous crash!

And at last at the gift shop I found the noise,
Where the night guard who our museum employs,
Had tripped over the soft toys’ rack, but then,
Said “Why are you here? It’s 2am!”

(There was a crash) There was a monstrous crash!
(A monstrous crash) Something reduced to trash
(There was a crash) I set off at a dash!

(There was a crash) What a monstrous crash!

So back to my office it was time to creep,

The legionary in his coffin went back to sleep,
But then I heard a distant, case-rattling roar…
Probably the mould beast on the basement floor

(There was a crash) There was a monstrous crash!
(A monstrous crash) Something reduced to trash
(There was a crash) I set off at a dash!

(There was a crash) What a monstrous crash!

Wah-ooh, argh, monstrous crash, no good, wah-ooh

At least it’s not as scary as china repairs done with sellotape…
Wah-ooh, argh, monstrous crash, no good, wah-ooh
Oops… My bad!

***

Support us on Patreon!

Hosted by Jenny Mathiasson and Kloe Rumsey.

Intro and outro music by DDmyzik, used under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.

A Wooden Dice production, 2022.

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We’re joined by the brilliant jewellery conservator Bill Hawkes for a dazzling episode about the history of gems, the usefulness of pretty stones, and the intriguing secrets of the jewellery industry. Also tune in for an interview with geological conservator Kate Andrew about the hidden dangers of rock samples and why you should never bin an old label!

01:43 What are minerals?
03:00 Uses of gemstones – light, fading, and lasers!
06:14 Famous diamonds and their history
10:38 Cutting gemstones now and in the past
14:09 More gemstone chemistry
26:27 Hardness vs toughness
33:05 How do you identify gemstones?
41:41 How mucky jewellery gets and cleaning strategies
46:59 What to do if you don’t know what you’ve got
48:43 Pigments and other uses of minerals
52:22 Organic gemstones
56:35 Interview with Kate Andrew

Show Notes:
– S11E02 Metals (Part 2): https://thecword.show/2022/05/18/s11e05-metals-part-2/
– Bill’s website: https://www.williamhawkes.co.uk/
– Lasers and gemstones: https://www.illinoisscience.org/2019/01/surprising-uses-gemstones-ruby-laser/
– Koh-i-Noor diamond: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koh-i-Noor
– Cullinan diamond: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cullinan_Diamond
– Black Prince’s Ruby: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Prince%27s_Ruby
– Mohs scale of hardness: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohs_scale_of_mineral_hardness
– Gemstone colour chemistry: https://www.compoundchem.com/2014/06/29/what-causes-the-colour-of-gemstones/
– Gemmological Association of Great Britain: https://gem-a.com/
– National Association of Jewellers: https://www.naj.co.uk/
– Gemological Institute of America: https://www.gia.edu/
– Icon’s guidance on geological specimens: http://natsca.org/sites/default/files/publications-full/care-and-conservation-of-geological-specimens.pdf

Reading recommendations from Bill and Kate:
– Gemstones by Cally Hall: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gemstones-Cally-Hall/dp/0241436184/
– The Retail Jeweller’s Guide by Kenneth Blakemore: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Retail-Jewellers-Guide-Kenneth-Blakemore/dp/0719800331
– Care and Conservation of Geological Materials by Frank Howie: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Care-Conservation-Geological-Material-Meteorites/dp/0750603712/

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