An Aussie metal-detector enthusiast was sure he had discovered a piece of rubbish — possibly an old horseshoe — when his device signaled a sizable find in Central Victoria’s storied Golden Triangle last week. What he pulled from the ground was a 145-ounce (4.12kg) gold nugget worth nearly $200,000. “I really couldn’t believe my eyes,” said the amateur prospector, who wishes to …

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you new tunes with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, Parade of Lights’ lead vocalist Ryan Daly urges us to get “golden” in the 2014 release of the same name. The Los Angeles-based electronic rock band uses the word “golden” as a metaphor for youthful spirit in a …

Unaware of its multi-million-dollar value, a Filipino fisherman kept a 75-pound natural pearl under his bed as a good luck charm — for 10 years. Every time he would head out to sea, he would touch the pearl to ensure his safety and good fortune. The fisherman had found the pearl by chance when his boat’s anchor got caught up on a giant …

Eighty-three pieces of fine jewelry worn by fashionable First Lady Nancy Reagan are set to hit the auction block at Christie’s New York in September. A live auction will take place on September 21 and 22, and an online auction will run from September 19-28. Among the items from The Private Collection of President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan are necklaces, …

Country singer Miranda Lambert stunned the crowd at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on Saturday when she interrupted her set to flash a pink ring and announce her engagement — to a six-year-old superfan. “I have to tell you something really important,” she said. “I got engaged today.” Instantly, the crowd erupted in applause. But then she added a few critical facts: “There’s a …

It’s barely 4mm in width and weighs a scant .005 ounces, but this gold bead from a prehistoric settlement in southern Bulgaria may be the world’s oldest gold artifact. Archaeologists made the discovery at a site just outside the modern town of Pazardzhik. They dated the gold bead to some time between 4,500 to 4,600 BC, making it about 200 …

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you great throwback songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. In today’s installment, we time travel to Hollywood’s Soul Train sound stage, where Freda Payne is singing her biggest hit, “Band of Gold.” The song is about a young couple that rushes into marriage only to find out on their honeymoon that …

Fifteen hundred years ago in Datong City, China, there lived an aristocrat named Farong. The wife of Magistrate Cui Zhen, Farong owned an elaborate pair of gold earrings that demonstrated meticulous craftsmanship and amazing technical prowess. The earrings were beautiful from every angle. From one view, one could see the likenesses of a human figure flanked by dragons. The detailing was extraordinary. The …

When the U.S. women’s Olympic gymnastics team overpowered its competition to defend the gold medal in the team all-around competition at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio they were certainly dressed for the success. Their patriotic leotards radiated with 4,000 white and red Swarovski crystals. Teammates Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman, Laurie Hernandez and Madison Kocian beamed with confidence, thanks to …

After completing her near-flawless floor routine for which she earned a 15.433, U.S. gymnastics team captain Aly Raisman burst into tears when she realized she had edged out Russia’s Aliya Mustafina for the Olympic silver medal in the women’s all-around competition. As NBC’s cameras zoomed in on the thrilling and emotional moment in Rio, we noticed that Raisman was wearing …