In a closely watched case that has earned national attention, the Supreme Court of Massachusetts ruled last week that engagement rings are "conditional gifts" that must be returned to the giver if the couple breaks up and calls the wedding off — no matter who is to blame for ending the relationship. The ruling closes […]
Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you superb songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, country star Miranda Lambert confesses a deep, dark secret to her engagement ring in the 2011 ballad, “Dear Diamond.” The song’s protagonist has cheated on her husband and feels terrible about her indiscretions. […]
The golden-orange Imperial Topaz — the most highly prized variety of November’s birthstone — was originally mined exclusively in Russia’s Ural Mountains during the 19th century. It was named Imperial Topaz to honor the Russian czar, and was considered so special that only royals were allowed to own it. Today, Brazil is the largest producer […]
Morgan Perigo of McMaster University's Class of 1965 never expected to see his graduation ring again after losing it in the surf along the coast of Barbados in 1977. But thanks to the good nature of a Barbados professional free diver named Alex Davis and the helpful alumni staff at the university, Perigo got to […]
A team of archeologists from the US and Egypt has unearthed a jewelry-laden tomb near Luxor that dates back 4,000 years to the 12th and 13th Dynasties. The team discovered beautiful necklaces, bracelets, armlets, scarab rings and decorative belts made of amethyst, carnelian, garnet, blue-green glazed faience (ceramic) and feldspar. The amulets feature carved gemstones […]
Former professional skateboarder, snowboarder and three-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White dug deep into his bag of tricks to deliver a surprise marriage proposal to actress Nina Dobrev with a flawless, oval-cut 5-carat diamond ring. White conspired with his publicist to send a fake invitation for Dobrev to attend an exclusive dinner with Vogue editor-in-chief […]
Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you fun songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, the members of ZZ Top tick off a list of jewelry-wardrobe must-haves in their 1983 classic, “Sharp Dressed Man.” Original band members Dusty Hill, Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard share their tips about […]
About two million Muslims visit Mecca during the hajj pilgrimage each year to seek forgiveness, grow closer to God and cleanse their souls of sins. And if they're lucky they might even get to touch or kiss the historic and sacred "Black Stone of Mecca." During a recent episode of The UnXplained, host William Shatner […]
After 26 years of non-stop, 24/7 production, the Ekati Diamond Mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories recently surpassed the 100-million-carat milestone. That's equivalent to 22 tons of diamonds. Ekati is Canada's first diamond mine and consistently ranks as one of the top-10 producers worldwide. Not only does the mine maintain a track record of generating four […]
A sensational 37-carat emerald brooch commissioned by Prince Aga Khan for his wife, Nina Dyer, in 1960, and then sold at Christie's Geneva in 1969 for $75,000, is returning to the venerable auction house on November 12 carrying a pre-sale estimate of $6 million to $8 million. The unusually transparent and evenly colored emerald is […]