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 …
$3.99 Thrift-Store Jewelry Pouch Contains 92-Year-Old Engraved Wedding Band
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 …
Mass. Supreme Court Rules Ring Must Be Returned If Wedding Is Called Off
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 …
Music Friday: Miranda Lambert Confesses Her Cheating Ways in ‘Dear Diamond’
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 …
Birthstone Feature: Utah Is Home to One of the Greatest Places to Find Imperial Topaz
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 …
McMaster Grad Reunited With Class Ring Lost in Barbados Surf 47 Years Ago
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 …
Archeologists Discover 4,000-Year-Old Jewelry-Laden Tomb Near Luxor, Egypt
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 that resemble characters of the …
Shaun White Proposes to Nina Dobrev With ‘Flawless Diamond for a Flawless Girl’
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 Anna Wintour at The Golden …
Music Friday: ZZ Top Lists Jewelry-Wardrobe Must-Haves in ‘Sharp Dressed Man’
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 snappy accessorizing in the second …
Historic and Sacred ‘Black Stone of Mecca’ Could Be From Out of This World
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 told Discovery channel viewers about …