A gem-quality ammonite, "Sandrita" Paraíba tourmaline, Alaskan gold nugget and olivine-freckled meteorite are just a handful of eye-popping treasures that will be offered today at Heritage’s "Nature & Science Signature" auction. According to the auction house, the "gem" ammonite from the Bearpaw Formation in Alberta, Canada, dates to the Cretaceous period some 71 million years ago. Exhibiting superb iridescence, the …

The 37-carat "Aga Khan" emerald made a triumphant return to Christie's Geneva after a 55-year hiatus, smashing the all-time record for the most expensive emerald ever to be sold at auction. The unusually transparent and evenly colored square-cut stone sold for $8.85 million, eclipsing the pre-sale high estimate by more than 10% and the previous record holder by 36%. Relegated …

In commemoration of its 200th anniversary, the Brooklyn Museum launched on Friday an expansive exhibit that shines the spotlight on gold through 6,000 years of history. Dubbed "Solid Gold," the exhibition features more than 400 gold objects, ranging from jewelry and luxury objects, to works of art, fashion and film. Organized in eight sections, Solid Gold will present historical works …

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 celebrates 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 a …

Luxury consumers are jazzed about the upcoming holiday season, with increased intention to dress up, travel and buy gifts — especially fine jewelry — according to the latest Saks Luxury Pulse survey. Exactly 82% of the luxury consumers who are celebrating the holidays plan to spend the same or more on holiday shopping compared to the 2023 holiday season. That's …

Last month, a Kansas City woman plunked down $3.99 for a previously loved leather jewelry pouch at a Savers thrift store north of the city. She didn't think much about the modest purchase until two weeks later when she pulled it out of her closet to use on a work trip. Carlie Goss opened a zipped compartment inside and was …

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 the books on an archaic …

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. Now, she fears that her …

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 of gem-quality topaz, but the …

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 wear the ring again on …