As the world turns its eyes to St. Peter’s Square this Sunday, a centuries-old tradition will unfold before a global audience. During his inauguration Mass on May 18, Pope Leo XIV — the first American-born pontiff — will receive the Fisherman’s Ring, a powerful and enigmatic symbol of papal authority and humility that has intrigued […]
The 10.03-carat “Mediterranean Blue” lived up to its pre-auction hype at Sotheby’s Geneva on Tuesday, selling for an impressive $21.3 million following a fast-paced, live-streamed bidding war. Introduced as Lot 602 at 6:50 p.m. local time (12:50 p.m. EST), the Fancy Vivid Blue diamond headlined the evening sale. Two phone bidders engaged in a spirited […]
Nearly 2,000 carats of historic Colombian emeralds will be in the spotlight on June 17, as Christie’s New York presents "Magnificent Mughal Jewels: Property from a Royal Collection." Steeped in dynastic prestige and displaying extraordinary craftsmanship, the three museum-worthy pieces — each with Mughal royal provenance — will offer collectors a rare chance to own […]
Mining giant Alrosa just announced the discovery of the largest gem-quality diamond ever unearthed in Russia. The remarkable 468.30-carat rough diamond, described as a “fancy amber” crystal, was recovered from the recently reopened Mir mine in Yakutia, a remote region near the Arctic Circle long renowned for its diamond-rich permafrost. Measuring 56 x 54 x […]
Country music’s reigning queen of storytelling, Lainey Wilson, delivers a whimsical heartfelt ballad in “Counting Chickens,” the ninth track off her 2024 album Whirlwind. In true Music Friday fashion, we’re spotlighting this tune not just for its emotional pull, but for its glittering lyrical nod to a diamond — and, quite possibly, a wedding to […]
Two hikers traversing the Krkonoše Mountains in northeastern Czech Republic recently unearthed a remarkable stash of gold coins and jewelry — hidden for nearly a century. What began as a casual hike ended in the discovery of nearly 600 gold coins and an assortment of valuable personal items, now under the care of the Museum […]
For centuries, gold has symbolized wealth, beauty and permanence. But its origins lie not just in the Earth's crust or the ingenuity of ancient metalworkers — they go back more than 10 billion years, to some of the most violent and mysterious events in the universe. New findings from a team of astrophysicists, based on […]
What looked like a shiny piece of litter turned out to be a once-in-a-lifetime treasure for one Minnesota man at Arkansas's Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro. David DeCook, a longtime visitor to the park from Stewartville, MN, recently made headlines after discovering a stunning 3.81-carat brown diamond — the largest found at the […]
Welcome to Music Friday, where we highlight feel-good songs that feature jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in their lyrics or title. This week, we revisit Jason Mraz’s 2018 hit, “Have It All,” a bright, life-affirming anthem packed with positivity, wisdom — and a lyrical nod to diamonds. Inspired by a spiritual encounter with a Buddhist […]
A stunning representation of May’s official birthstone, the 37.8-carat Chalk Emerald stands out for its unparalleled combination of size, clarity, lush green hue and royal provenance. This exquisite gemstone, now housed at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, boasts the deep, velvety green color that is the hallmark of the finest […]