A golden laurel leaf trimmed from the coronation crown of French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in 1804 sold for a surprising $730,000 at an auction near Paris on Sunday. The hammer price was more than four times the pre-sale high estimate. Weighing barely 10 grams (.35 ounces), the leaf’s precious metal value is less than $500. But Jean-Pierre Osenat of the …

It’s been a banner year for tiny West African nation of Sierra Leone. The recent discovery of the 476.7-carat “Meya Prosperity” — which followed the March discovery of the even more massive 709.1-carat “Peace Diamond” — gives Sierra Leone the distinction of being the source of the world’s two biggest diamond finds of 2017. The yellow-hued Peace Diamond is believed …

A natural freshwater pearl bearing an uncanny likeness to a swimming fish proves, once again, that Mother Nature is the world’s greatest artist, sculptor and designer. Measuring a little less than an inch in length, the specimen’s shape, color, scale-like texture and seemingly articulated head and body make for a one-of-a-kind masterwork that has the gemological and jewelry communities buzzing. …

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you great throwback songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today we celebrate the 50th anniversary of “With This Ring,” a feel-good sing-along that was a huge hit for The Platters and frontman Sonny Turner. In this song, Turner is about to marry the girl of his dreams. …

A few days ago, The Knot revealed that 47% of all couples are enlisting a photographer or videographer to capture the exact moment of their proposal. With so much emphasis on sharing that big news on social media, it was inevitable that someone would come up with a smartphone case that doubles as a ring box and delivers the ultimate …

The largest D-flawless diamond ever offered at auction — a 163-carat emerald-cut stunner set in an emerald and diamond necklace by de Grisogono — fetched $33.7 million at Christie’s Geneva yesterday. The piece was purchased by an anonymous bidder and the hammer price exceeded the pre-sale estimate by about 10%. The extraordinary diamond, which was cut from a 404.20-carat Angola-sourced …

Time-honored marriage proposal traditions are back in vogue, according to The Knot’s “2017 Jewelry & Engagement Study.” When it comes to getting down on bended knee, using the phrase “Will you marry me” and asking her parents for permission, everything old is new again. For instance, exactly 87% of future grooms told The Knot that they proposed on bended knee. …

Measuring barely 1.5 inches across and carved with astonishing skill, this 3,500-year-old sealstone is considered one of the finest works of prehistoric Greek art ever discovered. Emerging from the surface of the agate is a finely detailed battle scene showing a victorious warrior who, having already vanquished one unfortunate opponent sprawled at his feet, now turns his attention to another …

Welcome to Music Friday when we often bring you fresh, new tunes with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, we feature a nostalgic ballad from Aussie singer-songwriter Vance Joy. Introduced via Joy’s Twitter account on November 2, “Like Gold” tells the story of a perfect love, a painful breakup and the promise of a second …

Pro tennis player Caroline Wozniacki’s favorite number is “8,” so when boyfriend and former pro basketball player David Lee was seeking the ideal engagement ring for his “soulmate,” this D-flawless, 8.88-carat, oval-shaped diamond center stone fit the bill perfectly. Lee popped the question last week during the couple’s romantic getaway to Bora Bora. The vacation celebrated Wozniacki’s surprising victory over …