Missouri Sheriff Saves ‘Perfect’ Engagement Ring From Muddy Demise

Missouri bride-to-be Linda Huffman says the 1-carat solitaire engagement ring she got on Valentine’s Day from fiancé Steve Kozlowski is “the only thing I’ve had in my life that was perfect.” But after a swimming mishap at a local creek on Memorial Day, she was sure her perfect ring was lost forever. Huffman had been spending a glorious day with …

59.60-Carat ‘Pink Star’ Has New Owners and an Eye on the All-Time Price Record

Out of the spotlight for more than two years, the 59.60-carat “Pink Star” has new owners and an eye on the all-time record price for a diamond sold at auction. Don’t be surprised if the Pink Star — the largest internally flawless, fancy vivid pink diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America — sets a new benchmark at $70 …

McDonald’s Wonka-esque Promo Will Give Away a $1,650 18-Karat Gold Chicken Nugget

In a promotion reminiscent of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, McDonald’s Japan is giving away an 18-karat gold chicken McNugget worth about $1,650. The contest is designed to generate a viral buzz for two new dipping sauces, “Creamy Cheddar Cheese” and “Fruits Curry.” But, unlike the famous Golden Tickets, which were randomly hidden in five Wonka Bars, the McDonald’s promotion requires …

Jewelry Organizations Name Spinel As August’s Second Official Birthstone

The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) and Jewelers of America (JA) have named spinel as the second official birthstone for August. It will share the limelight with the yellow-green gemstone peridot. JA will promote the new birthstone in July via a public relations and marketing campaign. “At certain moments in history, when there is a strong call from gem enthusiasts …

Diamond-Embellished $300K Hermès Birkin Handbag Sets Auction Record

A diamond-embellished Hermès Birkin became the most expensive handbag ever sold at auction when it fetched $300,108 at Christie’s Hong Kong on Monday. Described by Christie’s as the “rarest, most sought-after, most valuable” of its kind, the matte white Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Diamond Birkin features an 18-karat white gold lock, latch and buckles emblazoned with diamonds weighing a total of 9.84 carats. The …

Adorable Super Mario Bros. Proposal Takes Arkansas Couple’s Relationship to the Next Level

Self-proclaimed master gamer Shane Birkinbine took his relationship with girlfriend Pam Edwards to the next level by building a marriage proposal into a custom level of their favorite video game using “Super Mario Maker.” In a video that’s been viewed on YouTube nearly one million times, we observe Edwards being coached by her boyfriend through a custom course he designed …

The ‘Cullinan Dream,’ Another Wondrous Blue Diamond, Comes to Auction in June; 24.18-Carat Gem Could Fetch $29M

The 24.18-carat “Cullinan Dream,” the largest fancy intense blue diamond ever to be offered at auction, could fetch upwards of $29 million at Christie’s New York on June 9. Barely a week ago, the 14.62-carat “Oppenheimer Blue” set a new world record for any jewel sold at auction when it yielded $57.5 million at Christie’s Geneva. Even though the Cullinan …