Paraiba tourmaline is the most prized variety of October’s birthstone. The vivid teal, turquoise and neon blue stones caused a sensation when they were first discovered in Brazil's tropical, coastal state of Paraiba in 1987. Worldwide demand sparked a mining frenzy and, within five years, the supply beneath "Paraiba Hill" was largely tapped out. With the original mine depleted, gem …

Diamond sits alone atop the Mohs scale as the hardest naturally occurring material known to man. It is harder than a ruby, sapphire or emerald and has the ability to slice through steel like a hot knife through butter. The only substance that can scratch a diamond is another diamond. Under normal circumstances, diamonds truly are forever. But in the …

Snapchat executive Juan David Borrero pulled out all the stops for his marriage proposal to Victoria’s Secret Angel Jasmine Tookes on September 21. The Ecuador-born Borrero's romantic adventure covered three states and culminated with a drone-delivered 7-carat oval-shaped diamond engagement ring. This past Thursday, the supermodel's 4.1 million Instagram followers got to see intimate shots of her special day, along …

In a shining example of how persistence pays off, Kevin Kinard scored a 9.07-carat diamond during a Labor Day visit to Arkansas's Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro. The 33-year-old bank branch manager from Maumelle, Ark., had caught the diamond bug during a second-grade field trip to the park and had returned regularly ever since. For 25 years, his …

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you brand new songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, English singer-songwriter Sam Smith tries to wrap his mind around a bitter breakup in his sensational, new single, “Diamonds.” Throughout the song, Smith acknowledges that his ex-lover was using him for his money and fame. But, Smith …

As of this month, Oscar Mayer's 27-foot-long Wienermobiles have been making appearances at marriage proposals from coast to coast. There are currently six hot-dog-shaped promotional vehicles criss-crossing the continent, and to book one, all you have to do is visit the company's website, fill out a request form, and hope for some good luck. Oscar Mayer charges no fee for …

The Miami Hurricanes finally unveiled the 2020 edition of their famous "turnover chain" during the highly ranked team's 47-34 road victory against the Louisville Cardinals on Saturday. Cornerback Al Blades Jr. got to wear the massive, gem-encrusted Florida-shaped pendant after picking off a pass from Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham late in the second quarter. The pendant is affixed to a …

The Natural Diamond Council's "For Moments Like No Other" campaign made its worldwide debut during the first-ever virtual Emmy Awards on Sunday night. Starring Cuban-Spanish actress Ana de Armas, the 30-second spot emphasized how diamonds are not solely the purview of romantic interests or formal occasions. They are meant to celebrate every type of meaningful connection. This new campaign marks …

The lavish diamond earrings worn by French Queen Marie Antoinette during the 18th century are the subject of today's virtual tour of the Smithsonian’s National Gem Collection in Washington, DC. Gifted to the ill-fated Queen by Louis XVI, the large pear-shaped diamonds dangle from a ribbon-like platinum setting topped with shield-shaped stones. The pear-shaped diamonds weigh 14.25 carats and 20.34 …

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you fabulous songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the lyrics or title. Today, New Zealand songstress Kimbra channels jazz legend Nina Simone in her contemporary rendition of “Plain Gold Ring,” a song about a young woman who is in love with a married man. The tune’s emotionally torn protagonist pledges she …