With the Winter Olympics set to launch in Milano and Cortina, Italy, later this week, attention is turning not only to the athletes, but also to the beautiful medals they’ll be competing for.



As with every Olympic Games, the gold, silver and bronze medals carry enormous emotional and symbolic weight. But for jewelry lovers, there’s always one irresistible question: What are these awards actually worth in precious metal?

The newly unveiled Milano Cortina 2026 medals feature a striking design unlike any before. For the first time, the Winter Games will be co-hosted by two cities, and the medals reflect that partnership through two interlocking halves — a bold metaphor for unity between Milan’s modern elegance and Cortina’s alpine heritage.

One half is textured, the other smooth, symbolizing contrasts coming together: city and mountain, athlete and supporter, Olympic and Paralympic spirit. One side bears the Olympic rings, while the other displays the Games’ logo, with each medal engraved for its specific sport and event.

Measuring 80 mm wide and 10 mm thick, the medals are handcrafted by Italy’s state mint, the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS), using recycled metals from its own production stream and produced entirely with renewable energy — an eco-conscious touch worthy of a modern Olympic era.

But let’s get to the melt value.

Some of our readers may be surprised to learn that Olympic “gold” medals are mostly silver. Milano Cortina’s gold medal contains 500 grams of .999 silver, plus 6 grams of pure gold. (International Olympic Committee rules mandate that gold medals must contain at least 6 grams of pure gold plating over a pure silver base.)

With silver priced at about $78.94 per ounce, the silver portion is worth approximately $1,392. The gold, at roughly $4,691 per ounce, adds another $990. That puts the total melt value at about $2,382.

(And if it were pure gold? The value would skyrocket to an astonishing $83,727 — a reminder of why solid-gold medals disappeared after the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden.)

This year's silver medal is made entirely of 500 grams of .999 silver, giving it a melt value of about $1,392.

The bronze medal weighs 420 grams and is made primarily of copper. At copper’s current price of about $0.37 per ounce, the bronze medal’s metal value comes out to only $5.47. It's a humbling contrast, considering bronze medals are every bit as hard-earned.

In total, 735 medals (245 of each type) will be awarded across 116 medal events. You can be sure that none of the athletes would consider selling an Olympic medal for its melt value, but when these awards come up for auction, the results can be impressive.

For instance, back in 2013, billionaire Ron Burkle plunked down $1.46 million at SCP Auctions for a Jesse Owens gold medal from the 1936 Berlin Olympics. In 2019, Goldin Auctions offered for sale an Owens gold medal from the same Olympics. That medal was sold to an online bidder for $615,000.

Credit: Image courtesy of Milano Cortina 2026.

A displaced polar vortex has sent record-breaking Arctic air plunging into the midsection of the United States this winter — and along with the brutal temperatures has come an unexpected visual treat: a phenomenon known as “diamond dust.”



While the name sounds like something from a jeweler’s showcase, this wintry sparkle is actually made of microscopic ice crystals suspended in the air, shimmering like glitter when they catch the sunlight and sometimes even creating dramatic evening “light pillars” across the frozen landscape.

Often called “Mother Nature’s tinsel,” diamond dust looks as if someone shook a jar of shimmer into the sky. It can appear even when the weather is clear and blue, which is why it’s sometimes nicknamed clear-sky precipitation.

So how does it form?

Diamond dust happens during prolonged periods of extreme cold, usually when temperatures drop near or below zero degrees Fahrenheit. In these conditions, the air becomes so cold and calm that moisture doesn’t fall as normal snow. Instead, water vapor freezes almost instantly into tiny ice crystals right near the ground.

Because these crystals are incredibly small and lightweight, they don’t tumble down like snowflakes. They hover and drift, sparkling as they move — more like icy confetti than a winter storm.

This phenomenon is most common in the Arctic and Antarctic, where frigid air is a way of life. But during the intense cold spell of late January and early February 2026, diamond dust has been spotted much farther south than usual — even as far as Kentucky, offering residents a rare glimpse of polar-style winter magic.

And the show doesn’t stop with glitter.

Diamond dust can also create one of the most breathtaking optical effects of the season: light pillars.

Light pillars appear in the evening or early morning, when streetlights, headlights, or even the setting sun shine upward through the icy air. The flat, plate-like ice crystals act like tiny mirrors, reflecting light back toward our eyes. The result is an otherworldly vertical beam — a glowing column of light that looks like it’s reaching into the sky.

It’s important to know these pillars aren’t solid beams, but rather an optical illusion, created by millions of crystals perfectly positioned in the air.

Together, diamond dust and light pillars transform ordinary winter nights into something straight out of a fairytale — sparkling skies, glowing towers of light and the sense that the atmosphere itself has been dusted with jewels.

Credits: Diamond dust photo by English: Jacob W. Frank, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Light pillars over London, Ontario Canada, as seen on January 13, 2018, photo by Ray Majoran, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Welcome to Music Friday, when we bring you fun tunes with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today’s sparkling selection comes from the ever-eccentric Swing Revival favorites Squirrel Nut Zippers, who sing about romance, commitment and a not-so-subtle craving for fine jewelry in their irresistible track, “Baby Wants a Diamond Ring.”



Written by bandleader James “Jimbo” Mathus, the song captures a familiar relationship dynamic: One partner ready for forever, the other dragging his feet. The protagonist makes her wishes perfectly clear, pressing her slow-to-commit beau to do the “right thing” — and to do it with diamonds.

She sings, “Baby wants a diamond to have and hold / A diamond ring with a band of gold.”

It’s classic jewelry symbolism wrapped in playful swing-era swagger. The diamond ring here isn’t just decoration — it’s a promise. Diamonds have long represented endurance and lasting love, while the gold band signifies unity and permanence. In just a few lines, the song turns a piece of fine jewelry into the ultimate relationship milestone.

Later in the song, she admits that pearls are appealing — “so nice” — but they won’t seal the deal. Only diamonds will do. That lyrical insistence speaks to the diamond’s cultural power: it’s not merely a stone, but a symbol of devotion, security and status — the kind of gift meant to last a lifetime.

“Baby Wants a Diamond Ring” appeared as the second track on the band’s fifth studio album, Bedlam Ballroom, released in 2000. By then, Squirrel Nut Zippers had already carved out a unique place in modern music history.

Their breakthrough came with the 1996 album Hot, which sold more than 1.3 million copies, earned a platinum certification and gained major momentum through the support of National Public Radio and college radio stations. When Hot hit the airwaves, it didn’t just revive swing sounds — it sparked a cultural bonfire, bringing vintage jazz, blues and Americana back into the mainstream.

The original lineup, including Mathus, Katharine Whalen, Chris Phillips and Stu Cole, created a sound that critics struggled to define. Their music has been described as a fusion of Delta blues, gypsy jazz, 1930s swing, klezmer, rockabilly, and even what one writer jokingly called “30s punk.”

The band derived its name from a 1920s-era caramel and peanut candy of the same name, which was itself inspired by a Prohibition-era bootleg moonshine known as a "nut zipper."

Over the years, they’ve toured with Neil Young, performed at the 1996 Summer Olympics, and appeared on late-night staples such as The Tonight Show and Late Show with David Letterman.

And the Zippers are still going strong. Still led by founder Mathus, the band is celebrating its legacy with a 30th-anniversary “In the Afterlife” tour, playing dates across the US into early 2026, including stops in California, Colorado, Florida, New York, Maryland and Connecticut.

Please check out the audio track of Squirrel Nut Zippers performing “Baby Wants a Diamond Ring.” The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…

“Baby Wants a Diamond Ring”
Written by James Mathus. Performed by the Squirrel Nut Zippers.

Hey there baby
I have gotten some news for you

You think you’re something out of sight
To take me out every night
Take me out show me everything
But you won’t do the right thing

Baby wants a diamond to have and hold
A diamond ring with a band of gold

String of pearls are so nice
But it ain’t worth a trip to paradise
Your weary romance is much too slow
You gotta give up all that dough

Baby wants a diamond to have and hold
A diamond ring with a band of gold

Baby wants a diamond to have and hold
A diamond ring with a band of gold



Credit: Photo by Bruce Andersen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

A dazzling marquise-cut diamond engagement ring stole a share of the spotlight during the Season 24 premiere of American Idol, when TikTok’s famously unseen “Secret Shower Singer” turned his breakout audition into an unforgettable proposal.



Contestant Bryant Thomas, a 26-year-old from Mobile, AL, made his national television debut on the January 26 premiere — though millions already recognized his voice. Thomas has built a following of roughly 110,000 fans through viral TikTok clips in which he sings from the shower while his girlfriend, Alyona Palhof, appears on camera doing her hair and makeup. The twist? Viewers could hear him, but no one had ever seen his face.

That changed in dramatic fashion on Idol. Leaning into the mystery, Thomas began his audition hidden behind a giant pillar as he performed Phil Collins’ emotional 1984 ballad, “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now).”

“Well, this is the first time we’ve ever allowed one of these to go this way,” judge Luke Bryan remarked as the singer stayed out of sight.

Even from behind the pillar, the judges were captivated. Carrie Underwood praised his raw delivery, telling him, “Your voice is outrageous… Even over there, behind a pillar, you can feel just so much emotion and life in your voice.”

Lionel Richie was equally impressed, declaring, “I think we got ourselves a hit record here. You’ve got star power vocals here, man.”

Midway through the performance, Thomas emerged — his face still partially hidden behind reflective sunglasses — before finally revealing himself fully. The audition earned him three enthusiastic “yes” votes and the coveted golden ticket to Hollywood Week.

But Thomas wasn’t finished surprising the room.



After inviting Palhof and his family onto the stage, he delivered an even more personal moment. Dropping to one knee, he told her, “My journey started with you and is gonna end with you,” adding that the proposal would have happened regardless of the judges’ decision.

His tearful girlfriend responded with multiple “yeses,” marveling at the ring as she exclaimed, “Oh my God, this is beautiful.”

The engagement ring appeared to feature a marquise-shaped center diamond, set on a delicate yellow gold band accented with stations of petite round diamonds — a romantic, modern style that feels both timeless and uniquely personal.

Thomas later reflected on Instagram: “I walked in hoping for one yes… and walked out with four. Three from the judges. One from her.” He punctuated his comment with a diamond ring emoji.

You can check out the video of the audition and proposal at this link…

Credits: Couple image via Instagram / bryant.thomas.band. Proposal screen capture via Youtube / American Idol.

For the 10th year in a row, jewelry is expected to be the top Valentine’s Day gift category by dollars spent, according to the latest consumer spending survey released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics. Shoppers are projected to spend $7 billion on jewelry for Valentine’s Day 2026 — accounting for nearly one-quarter of all holiday spending and outpacing every other gift category once again.



Overall, Valentine’s Day spending is expected to reach a record-breaking $29.1 billion, surpassing last year’s all-time high of $27.5 billion. On an individual level, consumers plan to spend an average of $199.78, up nearly 6% from the $188.81 reported in 2025 and higher than the previous record set in 2020.



“Valentine’s Day is a cherished holiday that resonates with many Americans, as seen with expected record-breaking spending this year,” said Katherine Cullen, NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights. “Much of that growth is driven by middle- and high-income shoppers who are expanding their gift lists to include friends, co-workers and even pets in addition to loved ones.”

More than half of consumers (55%) plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year. Among those participants, 83% will purchase gifts for a significant other, accounting for $14.5 billion. Gifts for family members, such as children, parents and siblings, are expected to total $4.5 billion, reflecting Valentine’s Day’s continued evolution beyond couples-focused celebrations.

That expansion shows up clearly in other categories. One-third (33%) of consumers plan to buy gifts for friends, contributing $2.4 billion in spending. Another 27% will shop for children’s classmates and teachers ($2.2 billion), while 21% plan to purchase gifts for co-workers ($1.7 billion).

Pets are also playing a growing role in Valentine’s Day spending. A record 35% of consumers plan to buy gifts for their pets this year, with spending projected to reach $2.1 billion, up from $1.7 billion in 2025.



While candy remains the most popular Valentine’s Day gift (56%), followed by greeting cards (41%), flowers (41%) and an evening out (39%), jewelry continues to dominate on a dollar basis. After jewelry’s $7 billion share, spending is expected to reach $6.3 billion on evenings out, $3.5 billion on clothing and $3.1 billion on flowers.

Online shopping remains the top destination (38%), followed by department stores (35%), discount stores (30%) and specialty retailers (21%). Even among those not celebrating Valentine’s Day by buying gifts for others, nearly one-third (31%) still plan to mark the occasion with self-care purchases or social gatherings.

The survey was conducted Jan. 2-8 among 7,791 U.S. adult consumers and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 1.1 percentage points.

Credits: Image by BigStockPhoto.com. Charts courtesy of the National Retail Federation.

Few advertising lines have shaped modern romance quite like “A Diamond Is Forever.” Nearly 80 years after the phrase was coined — and exactly a century after De Beers began redefining how the world sees diamonds — the legendary campaign is being honored in a new coffee table book that traces its cultural impact across generations.



Set for release on January 30, 2026, A Diamond Is Forever: The Making of a Cultural Icon 1926–2026 is published by Assouline in collaboration with De Beers Group. The lavish 240-page volume chronicles 100 years of diamond marketing, spotlighting how a once-elite luxury item became the universal symbol of enduring love.

At the heart of the book is the now-iconic tagline created in 1947 by Frances Gerety, a copywriter at N.W. Ayer & Son. With four simple words — A Diamond Is Forever — Gerety forever altered the diamond narrative, positioning the gemstone not as a fleeting indulgence, but as a permanent promise — one meant to mark life’s most meaningful moments. The slogan would later be named the greatest advertising line of the 20th century.

The book takes the reader on a tour of archival advertisements, rare photography, and commissioned artwork by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Raoul Dufy. Hollywood glamour also plays a starring role, with diamond-drenched appearances by icons, such as Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe, whose star power further cemented diamonds as symbols of elegance and aspiration.

Readers will also recognize the moody beauty of De Beers’ influential 1990s “Shadows” campaign, set to the first movement of Karl Jenkins’ "Palladio," which reframed diamonds as timeless, authentic and emotionally resonant for a modern audience. Chapters covering more recent history explore how the diamond conversation has evolved to include provenance, sustainability and ethical stewardship, reflecting changing consumer values while preserving the gemstone’s emotional core.

Publisher Assouline is a luxury house renowned for its high-end illustrated books. The company operates 18 freestanding boutiques worldwide, including Maison Assouline in London, as well as locations in New York, Seoul and other global capitals. It also boasts 30 shop-in-shop partnerships in luxury hotels and department stores.

Retailing for $195, A Diamond Is Forever: The Making of a Cultural Icon 1926–2026 is available at the Assouline retail locations and online via the brand's website.

Credit: Image via assouline.com.

On January 26, 1905, a glint in a South African mine wall changed diamond history forever. Exactly 121 years later, the Cullinan Diamond still dazzles — not just because it remains the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever discovered, but because its origin story includes a few moments so improbable they sound almost fictional.



Weighing 3,106 carats — more than 1.3 pounds and often described as roughly the size of a human heart — the Cullinan’s journey from mine wall to crown jewel is packed with strange twists. Here are three of the oddest.

Oddity No. 1: The Diamond That Got Tossed Out a Window

Perhaps the least-reported tale is also the most shocking. After the stone was removed from the Premier Mine near Pretoria, it made its way to a mine office for inspection. There, a skeptical manager reportedly dismissed it as a worthless chunk of glass or crystal. Diamonds, after all, simply weren’t that big.

So what did he do? According to long-standing lore, he threw it out the window.

Fortunately, a cooler head prevailed. The stone was retrieved, examined more carefully, and confirmed to be the real thing — an absolutely extraordinary diamond that would soon stun the world.

Oddity No. 2: “Who Put That There?”

The Cullinan’s discovery itself was nearly dismissed as a prank. Mine superintendent Frederick Wells spotted the gleaming object while conducting a routine inspection about 18 feet below the surface. At first, he thought someone had embedded a piece of glass into the rock wall as a joke.

Curious, Wells climbed down and pried it loose with a pocketknife. What he held was a crystal-clear, fist-sized diamond of unimaginable proportions. Even then, disbelief lingered — its size defied everything known about diamonds at the time.

Once verified, the stone was named after the mine’s owner, Sir Thomas Cullinan, and quickly became a global sensation.

Oddity No. 3: The World’s Most Famous Diamond… Sent by Mail

When the Cullinan was purchased by the Transvaal government and destined for King Edward VII as a birthday gift, security concerns reached a fever pitch. To thwart thieves, officials staged an elaborate ruse: a fake diamond, guarded by police, was shipped aboard a steamer amid great publicity.

The real Cullinan? It traveled quietly to England in an ordinary parcel sent through the mail.

Both arrived safely — proving that sometimes the simplest solution is the safest.

The story didn’t end there. In 1908, the Cullinan was sent to Amsterdam, where master cutters at I.J. Asscher & Co. undertook the nerve-wracking task of dividing it. The result: nine principal diamonds, 96 smaller stones, and a quantity of polished “ends.”

Among them are the most famous of all — the 530-carat Cullinan I, set in the Sovereign’s Sceptre, and the 317-carat Cullinan II, mounted in the Imperial State Crown — both enduring symbols of diamond history.

Credits: Image of rough Cullinan Diamond by Plate I, The Cullinan (1908)., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Image of mining official holding the rough Cullinan Diamond by National Library of Poland, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Welcome to Music Friday, when we spotlight songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, YouTube phenomenon Vidya Vox blends Indian classical flavor with pop and electronic punch in her 2017 release, “Diamonds.”



From the very first lines, Vox frames fine jewelry as much more than a fashion accessory — it’s identity, confidence, power and passion.

She sings, “Diamonds and gold / Mehndi and bangles / So beautiful / She moves like an angel / Dance like she don’t got a / Care in the world like / Eh le le le le, le le le lo.”

In the official video, Vox leans into that imagery with a head-turning stack of adornment — gold bangles climbing her wrists, statement rings, a dramatic necklace, diamond nose chain and a “tikka” pendant on her forehead. Even "mehndi" — henna designs painted in intricate patterns on the skin — gets its own shout-out, linking beauty to ritual and artistry.

That connection matters because in many Indian families, fine jewelry is part fashion, part inheritance, part financial security. Gold especially carries a special cultural weight: it’s associated with auspiciousness and prosperity, it’s gifted at milestones and it often becomes a wearable family heirloom — passed down with stories attached. So when “Diamonds” spotlights gold and gems in the same breath as movement and charisma, it’s tapping into something deeper than sparkle: jewelry as status, symbolism and belonging.

“Diamonds” also reflects Vox’s bigger story — building a career by turning cultural fusion into a signature sound. Born Vidya Iyer in 1990 and raised in Virginia after immigrating from India as a child, she carved out her lane online, bypassing the traditional label route and growing her audience directly. Her channel now counts about 7.61 million YouTube subscribers, and the “Diamonds” video sits at roughly 41 million views.

Along the way, collaborations — including work with musician/producer Shankar Tucker — helped shape her East-meets-West style, and touring has turned the “YouTube sensation” label into a real-world stage presence.

Please check out the video of Vox performing “Diamonds.” Featured in the video is British singer-songwriter Arjun Coomaraswamy. The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…

“Diamonds”
Written by Shankar Tucker and Vidya Vox. Performed by Vidya Vox.

Diamonds and gold
Mehndi and bangles
So beautiful
She moves like an angel
Dance like she don’t gotta
Care in the world like
Eh le le le le, le le le lo

Flames reachin’ high
But can’t touch the fire
Catchin’ her eye
Her burning desire
She know she got it
When she sing her song like
Eh le le le le, le le le lo

Look up at the sky
The stars never shine all alone
Tonight is the night
Take a deep breath
Let it go

Eh le le le le, le le le lo
Eh le le le le, le le le lo
Eh le le le le, le le le lo
Eh le le le le, le le le lo

Lost in the night
Your rhythm takes over
Flames in the eyes
Keep drawing him closer
Exotic hypnotic she knows
He’s about to move up on her
She got it, she got it
God knows he can’t hold back no longer
Dancing so close
The temperature’s rising
She just don’t know
How sexy that smile is
She knows she’s got it
When she sings the song like
Eh le le le le, le le le lo.

Look up at the sky
The stars never shine all alone
Tonight is your night
Just take a deep breath
Let it go

Eh le le le le, le le le lo
Eh le le le le, le le le lo
Eh le le le le, le le le lo
Eh le le le le, le le le lo
Eh le, eh le, eh le, lo

No, no, no, no, (Eh le, eh le, eh le, lo)
Girl, you’re one of a kind (Eh le, eh le, eh le, lo)
I know you’re feelin’ the vibe (Eh le, eh le, eh le, lo)
Just give me tonight (Eh le, eh le, eh le, lo)
It’s the way that you smile (Eh le, eh le, eh le, lo)
Baby, I’m losin’ my mind (Shining like gold)
You gotta be mine
Girl, you’re one of a kind
I know you’re feelin’ the vibe
Just give me tonight
It’s the way that you smile (Don’t shine alone)
Baby, I’m losin’ my mind
You gotta be mine
Girl, you’re one of a kind (Shining like gold))
I know you’re feelin’ the vibe
Just give me tonight (Woah)
It’s the way that you smile
Baby, I’m losin’ my mind

Eh le le le le, le le le lo (Let it go)
Eh le le le le, le le le lo (No)
Eh le le le le, le le le lo (Let it go)
Eh le le le le, le le le lo
Eh le le le le, le le le lo
Eh le le le le, le le le lo
Eh le le le le, le le le lo
Eh le le le le, le le le lo



Credit: Screen capture via YouTube / Vidya Vox.

Fans of Food Network’s Halloween Baking Championship got an unexpected treat last week when longtime favorites John Henson and Stephanie Boswell revealed they are engaged. The announcement caught viewers off guard, as the pair had quietly kept their romance out of the spotlight — making the surprise all the sweeter for devoted followers of the hit series.



The happy news was shared via Instagram, where both stars posted joyful messages — and, of course, a close-up look at Boswell’s engagement ring. In her post, Boswell held her hand toward the camera to showcase the sparkling piece, captioning the image with her infectious enthusiasm: “YES YES A THOUSAND TIMES YES!!! WE’RE ENGAGED!!!” She added a playful note about bargain wedding dress shopping and dreams of a laid-back backyard celebration, complete with chickens — a glimpse into her warm, down-to-earth personality.



Henson echoed the excitement by sharing the same image on his own page, jokingly asking followers if anyone could recommend a good pastry chef for the wedding cake. He also left a heartfelt comment on Boswell’s post, writing that he has “never felt happier or more at peace,” calling himself “the luckiest man ever.”

Jewelry lovers were quick to zoom in on the ring, which appears to feature an elongated radiant-cut diamond at its center. The striking center stone is flanked by complementary radiant-cut side stones, forming a classic three-stone design set in a white metal — likely platinum or 18-karat white gold. The elongated shape gives the ring a graceful, finger-flattering presence, while the clean lines of the radiant cut deliver eye-catching brilliance.

Beyond its beauty, the three-stone engagement ring carries rich symbolism. Traditionally, the design represents a couple’s past, present, and future — with the side stones honoring shared memories and future dreams, and the center stone symbolizing the strength of the relationship today. It’s a meaningful choice for a couple whose love story has unfolded quietly behind the scenes before stepping into the spotlight.

Henson and Boswell’s connection began professionally on Halloween Baking Championship, where Henson serves as host and Boswell brings her expertise as a judge. Henson, a seasoned television personality and comedian, is also known for hosting Talk Soup and Wipeout, while Boswell has built an impressive culinary résumé with appearances on Next Baking Master: Paris and Spring Baking Championship. Their easy on-screen chemistry has long delighted fans — making their real-life partnership feel like a perfect match.

Credits: Photos via Instagram / realjohnhenson.

In 1945, a routine examination of faceted gems in a Dublin jewelry shop led to the identification of taaffeite — one of the world’s rarest gemstones — after a single mauve-colored “spinel” behaved in ways no trained gemologist would expect.



The story goes something like this: Count Richard Taaffe, an Austrian-born gemologist living in Ireland, was examining a parcel of stones believed to be spinel. One of the gems stood out because it looked like spinel, but it didn’t behave like one. Under magnification, Taaffe noticed something extraordinary: the stone was doubly refractive, bending light in two directions. Spinel, like diamond, is singly refractive.

Intrigued, Taaffe sent the stone to the Laboratory of the London Chamber of Commerce for testing. The verdict was historic. The gem wasn’t spinel at all — it was a previously unknown mineral species, later named taaffeite in his honor. To this day, taaffeite remains the only gemstone ever first identified from a faceted stone, rather than rough crystal.

Chemically, taaffeite is a magnesium aluminum beryllium oxide, placing it in a mineral group closely related to spinel and chrysoberyl. On the Mohs scale, it measures 8 to 8.5, making it durable enough for jewelry, though its rarity means it’s most often reserved for collectors. Taaffeite is prized for its soft yet luminous color range — most commonly lavender, mauve and violet, though pink, red, green, blue and even colorless stones are known.

What truly elevates taaffeite into gem-world legend is its scarcity. It’s often described as millions of times rarer than diamonds, and it belongs to an ultra-exclusive group frequently cited as the three rarest gemstones on Earth: taaffeite, painite and kyawthuite. While painite and kyawthuite may edge it out for the absolute top spot, taaffeite remains one of the rarest gemstones ever used in jewelry.

For decades after its discovery, only a handful of taaffeite specimens were known. Today, gem-quality material comes primarily from Sri Lanka and southern Tanzania, with smaller finds reported in Myanmar, and lower-grade material in China and Russia. Even now, stones are usually discovered mixed in with parcels of spinel, explaining why so many were overlooked for so long.

Prices vary widely based on color and clarity. Lighter stones may trade around $1,500 to $2,500 per carat, while finer, more saturated examples can command $5,000 to $7,500 per carat — and exceptional stones with rich color and eye-clean clarity have sold for $15,000 per carat or more.

For collectors and gem lovers, taaffeite represents the ultimate insider gemstone: rare, beautiful and born from one of the most remarkable accidental discoveries in jewelry history.

Credit: Conceptual illustration of taaffeite by The Jeweler Blog, generated by aichatapp.ai.