One of the world’s finest collections of California gold made its debut Saturday at the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History in New Haven, Conn. The exhibition features 23 natural formations of gold, some of which resemble leaves, coral and skeletons. “The Mockingbird” measures 2.5 x 2.0 x 1.0 inches and features skeletal octahedral gold crystals stacked on minor quartz …

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you fun songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, a 14-year-old Tiffany Evans sings about a very special piece of jewelry in her 2007 debut single, “Promise Ring.” In the song, the former Star Search Grand Champion in the Junior Singer Division tells her boyfriend that sometimes …

The Mountain Star Ruby Collection, a grouping of four museum-quality gemstones discovered near Asheville, N.C., by self-described rockhound Jarvis Wayne Messer, is being offered for sale by Guernsey’s in New York City. The four star rubies weigh a total of 342 carats and display six-ray asterism. The auction house will be receiving sealed bids through June 5 and the lot …

A series of groundbreaking discoveries have the science community singing the praises of diamonds — especially the ones with inclusions. One physicist compared the precious gemstone, which can ferry material to the surface from hundreds of miles beneath the Earth’s crust, to a “tiny indestructible spaceship.” A few weeks ago, we reported on a never-before-seen deep-Earth mineral — calcium silicate …

Back in 1967, a Maasai tribesman named Jumanne Ngoma happened upon a cluster of intense blue-violet crystals in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. At first glance, they appeared to be sapphires, but it was later revealed that the stones were a never-before-seen variation of zoisite. The stunning mineral soon caught the attention of Tiffany & Co., which wanted …

The Houston Astros' 2017 World Series rings tell the story of the franchise's first-ever championship using 225 colorless diamonds, nine orange sapphires and 16 blue sapphires set in 14-karat white and yellow gold. Each ring weighs 90 grams and glitters with 10.40 carats of genuine gemstones. Players, coaches and team management received their new bling during a special ceremony at …

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you awesome songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, country star Miranda Lambert stares down at her engagement ring and confesses a deep, dark secret in the 2011 ballad, “Dear Diamond.” The song’s protagonist has cheated on her husband and she fears that her once-flawless marriage could …

In a rambling love treatise posted to Instagram, Ace of Cakes star Duff Goldman explained to his 197,000 followers on Monday why he proposed to girlfriend Johnna Colbry with a ring made from butcher’s twine. It turns out the 43-year-old chef can be a bit impulsive, so when the idea of popping the question to long-time girlfriend Johnna Colbry, 24, …

Diamond lovers are in for a big treat later this month as Sotheby’s New York will present an impressive array of rare gems at its Magnificent Jewels sale. Among the headliners of the April 18 event are fancy-colored diamonds in pink, orangey-pink and blue, as well as a D-flawless pear-shaped diamond weighing in excess of 33 carats. Carrying a pre-sale …

In honor of April’s official birthstone, we turn our attention today to one of the most popular — and prettiest — gems of the Smithsonian. Dubbed the “Blue Heart Diamond,” the 30.62-carat fancy deep-blue sparkler was last owned by socialite Marjorie Merriweather Post and now resides near the Hope Diamond in the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems and …