The Smithsonian's National Gem Collection in Washington, DC, features an unusual cabochon-cut black diamond that masquerades as a Tahitian pearl.
Named the "Winston Adamantine Pearl," the 44-carat domed diamond presents the lustrous beauty of a pearl while maintaining the unique properties of a diamond.
The adjective "adamantine" is derived from "adamas," the Ancient Greek word for diamond. An item that mimics the hardness or scintillating nature of a diamond may be described as adamantine.
Cut from a rough diamond that was approximately 150 carats in size, the Winston Adamantine Pearl is bezel set in a platinum pendant that resembles a spiderweb. Fifty-two baguette and round brilliant-cut diamonds adorn the interlocking web and outer rim of the pendant.
While it's common to find opal, turquoise, onyx, moonstone and star sapphires cut with a highly polished rounded top, diamonds are almost exclusively faceted to show off that particular gem's unmatched refractive properties.
Black diamonds owe their color to numerous dark inclusions, such as graphite, pyrite or hematite, that extend throughout the stone, according to the Gemological Institute of America. Their opaqueness is caused by a “polycrystalline” structure that inhibits the reflection of light.
This is likely why the luxury jeweler Harry Winston decided to go with the cabochon cut.
Harry Winston donated the pendant to the Smithsonian in 1997 during the dedication of the Harry Winston Gallery, one of eight exhibit areas in the then-renovated Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals at the National Museum of Natural History.
While the Winston Adamantine Pearl and a Tahitian pearl may look very similar, their hardnesses vary widely, with the diamond rating a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale and the pearl occupying the lower end of the spectrum with a Mohs rating of 2.5 – 4.5.
Known for their large sizes (8mm to 18mm) and rich iridescent colors that can include black, grey and brown with overtones of blue, green, purple or pink, the highly coveted Tahitian cultured pearls are cultivated in the waters of French Polynesia.
Pearl is the official gemstone for the month of June, while diamond is the official gemstone for the month of April.
Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you awesome throwback songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, Rolling Stones' guitarist and Rock and Roll icon Keith Richards explains the story behind the 1969 release, "You Got the Silver."
The song's memorable chorus goes like this: "You got my heart you got my soul / You got the silver you got the gold / You got the diamonds from the mine / Well that's all right, it'll buy some time."
In his YouTube series, "Ask Keith," Richards clarified that the lyrics were not intended to make a specific point.
"There's very little coherence in what I do, because I don't think that's the point," he said. "I always try to capture feelings rather than explain things to make a point about anything. You're usually wrong if you try to do that. At least I am."
Then, the 78-year-old smiled and revealed the real inspiration behind the lyrics.
"I just love singing about precious metal," he chuckled. "I don't mean heavy metal, I mean precious."
Originally released in 1969 as the second track on Side 2 of the group's classic Let It Bleed album, "You Got the Silver" languished as a rarely heard song until it was added to The Stones' set list in 1999. This exposed a whole new generation of fans to the song and Richards was reportedly surprised by how well the tune resonated with the live audiences.
Composed by Richards with an assist from Mick Jagger, "You Got the Silver" was the first Rolling Stones tune to feature Richards as the lead vocalist. The songwriting partnership of Richards and Jagger — which dates back to the time they were teenagers in 1962 — has been one of the most successful and prolific in history.
Let It Bleed was such a landmark achievement that the album was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2005. It also made Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time." The Rolling Stones were formed in London 60 years ago and are still active today. With estimated record sales of 200 million, The Stones are considered one of the best-selling musical acts of all time.
Please check out the video of Richards performing "You Got the Silver." The lyrics are below if you'd like to sing along…
"You Got The Silver"
Written by Keith Richards and Michael Phillip Jagger. Performed by The Rolling Stones, featuring Keith Richards (vocals) and Ronnie Wood (guitar).
Hey babe, what's in your eyes?
I saw them flashing like airplane lights
You fill my cup, babe, that's for sure
I must come back for a little more
You got my heart you got my soul
You got the silver you got the gold
You got the diamonds from the mine
Well that's all right, it'll buy some time
Tell me, honey, what will I do
When I'm hungry and thirsty too
Feeling foolish (and that's for sure)
Just waiting here at your kitchen door?
Hey baby, what's in your eyes?
Is that the diamonds from the mine?
What's that laughing in your smile?
I don't care, no, I don't care
Oh babe, you got my soul
You got the silver you got the gold
If that's your love, just leave me blind
I don't care, no, that's no big surprise
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers received their 2021 Grey Cup Championship Rings Saturday night during a soiree held at the exclusive Pinnacle Club at IG Field. The two-tone rings tell the story of the club's back-to-back championships, as well as its stunning 33-25 overtime triumph against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the title game this past December.
Designed in 10-karat gold by Canadian jeweler Baron Championship Rings, the face of the dazzling keepsakes feature the club's iconic "W" logo outlined in blue enamel sitting atop the diamond-studded Grey Cup and surrounded by a contrasting 10K yellow gold halo with raised lettering spelling out the phrase "Grey Cup Champions."
The bottom section of the Grey Cup includes 33 diamonds to represent the number of points scored by the Blue Bombers in their overtime win. Above the Grey Cup, on the shoulder of the ring, is the number "108" to signify the 108th Grey Cup. The word "Winnipeg," a nod to the team's host city, anchors the shoulder on the opposite side.
The outer edge of the ring is lined with 12 round sapphires, representing the organization's total championship wins. There are six on one side and six on the other, all set in yellow gold and separated by the phrases "Blue Bombers" and "Back-to-Back."
One side of the ring displays the player's name, position and jersey number rendered in diamonds over a gridiron background.
The opposite side includes a unique and detailed etching of a real photo of fans taken during the championship season. The fans — famous for being the CFL's loudest — are framed by the IG Field arches and the year 2021.
The team's season record is etched on the outer shank of the ring, while the inner shank is engraved with a personalized message unique to each player.
Also on the inside of the ring is the final score of the 108th Grey Cup along with the initials "FIFO" and the team's slogan, "For The W."
"FIFO" was written on a sign above the doors in the Blue Bombers’ locker room. When spelled out, the acronym summed up the organization’s philosophy when it came to assembling the right group of football players to deliver a championship. A family-friendly translation of the off-color phrase would be "fit in or find your way out."
Assisting in the design process was a committee that included linebacker Adam Bighill, receiver Nic Demski, defensive end Willie Jefferson and Rhéanne Marcoux, the Blue Bombers' Director of Creative & Content.
Credits: Images courtesy of Baron Championship Rings.
The Royal Mint has just produced the largest coin in its 1,100-year history to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's historic 70-year reign.
About the size of a small pizza, the one-of-a-kind Platinum Jubilee coin is made of .999 gold and weighs an astonishing 15 kilograms (33.1 pounds). The coin carries a denomination of £15,000, but the value of the precious metal alone is £776,595 ( $982,000).
Instead of being struck between two dies like a standard coin, this 220-millimeter-wide collectible was cut into a solid gold ingot by a high-speed precision milling machine before the processes of burnishing, polishing and frosting were carried out by hand to highlight key design elements. The process took nearly 400 hours of refinement using state-of-the-art engraving and laser technology.
A private UK collector commissioned the coin, which features a bespoke commemorative design that had been personally approved by The Queen, according to The Royal Mint.
“As the largest UK coin to date, the scale and diameter of the piece has allowed us to push the boundaries of minting to produce an exceptional level of relief and detail," said Paul Morgan, Technical Manager at The Royal Mint. "It is a true testament to the expertise and skills of our in-house design and production teams, and their ability to collaborate with the finest artists. The combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology has produced a truly one-of-a-kind piece of art.”
The private collector has been a long-standing customer of The Royal Mint and an enthusiastic investor in coins marking moments throughout The Queen’s reign.
"The latest and greatest in my collection is the Platinum Jubilee coin, designed by John Bergdahl and brought to life in 15 kilograms of solid gold," the collector said in a statement. "The beautiful design stands apart as a fitting tribute to Her Majesty’s service to our nation and the craftsmanship is simply breathtaking, ensuring a once-in-a-lifetime moment will live on in history on a UK coin.”
The reverse side depicts a crowned EIIR cypher surrounded by roses, daffodils, thistles and shamrocks, representing the United Kingdom. It also includes a symbolic privy mark of the St. Edward’s Crown worn during Elizabeth's coronation in 1953, positioned above the number "70," in recognition of Her Majesty’s momentous celebration.
On the obverse side of the coin, a special commemorative design depicting The Queen on horseback is engraved on the precious metal.
The Royal Mint has told the story of The Queen’s reign on UK coins since her accession to the throne in 1952, including five definitive portraits of Her Majesty.
Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you awesome songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, a reflective Justin Bieber sings about seizing the moment and pursuing one's dreams in his uplifting treatise, “All In It.”
Co-written by Bieber, Jason Boyd, Mark Jackson, Mason Levy and Josh Gudwin, the 2015 tune reminds us that we all have potential to do great things — if we are willing to put in the extra effort.
Bieber sings, “If you got a diamond for all of your passion / Diamond for your dedication / You could be icy like cake / Icy for every occasion / Gotta go hard, yeah / Still don't condone it / Love is a component / You’re the only opponent / Gotta seize the moment.”
“All In It” is featured as a bonus track on Bieber’s fourth studio album, Purpose. The album, which spawned three U.S Billboard Hot 100 chart toppers, was a tremendous commercial and critical success. MTV called the album “lyrically revealing and sonically appealing.” Fans agreed, as the album made its debut at #1 on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling 649,000 copies in its first week of release.
For Bieber, the year leading up to the album's release was a time of soul-searching after a tumultuous period of broken relationships and eyebrow-raising behavior. Throughout the 18 compelling tracks of Purpose, Bieber admits his mistakes and challenges himself to be a better man.
Born in London, Ontario, Canada, in 1994, Justin Drew Bieber loved to perform as a kid. In early 2007, he placed second in a local singing competition. Bieber’s mom, Pattie, posted a video of his performance on YouTube, and then added videos of her 12-year-old son singing covers of various R&B songs. It’s been reported that music executive Scooter Braun accidentally clicked on one of Bieber’s videos — thinking he was watching a 20-year-old doing a cover of Aretha Franklin’s “Respect.” The impressive performer was, in fact, the pre-teen Bieber.
Braun tracked down the youngster in Canada, and with the permission of Bieber’s mom, introduced him to singer-songwriter Usher, who soon became his mentor. Bieber was then signed by record executive L.A. Reid and the rest is history.
Now 28 years old, Bieber has sold an estimated 150 million records, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He’s earned two Grammy Awards, 18 American Music Awards, 26 Billboard Music Awards, 23 Teen Choice Awards and a record 21 MTV Europe Music Awards.
We hope you enjoy the audio track of “All In It.” The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…
“All In It”
Written by Justin Bieber, Jason Boyd, Mark Jackson, Mason Levy and Josh Gudwin. Performed by Justin Bieber.
Don’t do nothin’ ‘less your heart’s in it
Heart’s in it, heart’s in it
Don’t do nothin’ ‘less you’re all in it
All in it, all in it
If you got a 20 for all of your tries
Twenty for all of the times
The times you got back up, woah
Could be a billionaire in a year
That’s how you gotta think ’til you’re there
On the regular
If you got a diamond for all of your passion
Diamond for your dedication
You could be icy like cake
Icy for every occasion
Gotta go hard, yeah
Still don't condone it
Love is a component
You’re the only opponent
Gotta seize the moment
And don’t do nothin’ ‘less your heart’s in it
Heart’s in it, heart’s in it
Don’t do nothin’ ‘less you’re all in it
All in it, all in it
Come again each time
‘Til the water runs dry
Oh don’t do nothin’ ‘less you’re all in it
All in it, all in it
Oh, oh
Oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
All in it, all in it
If I had a guitar missing five strings
A guitar with only one string
I could only play one song, ooh
A simple melody
Simple enough to make the world sing
Strong enough to make your mood swing
You know what I mean
If you got a diamond for all of your passion
Diamond for your dedication
You could be icy like cake
Icy for every occasion
Gotta go hard, yeah
Still don't condone it
Love is a component
You’re the only opponent
Gotta seize the moment
And don’t do nothin’ ‘less your heart’s in it
Heart’s in it, heart’s in it
Don’t do nothin’ ‘less you’re all in it
All in it, all in it
Come again each time
‘Til the water runs dry
Don’t do nothin’ ‘less you’re all in it
All in it, all in it
Oh, oh
Oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
All in it, all in it
See, growing up, I
I always felt like I had to be the best at everything
Cause I, I just didn’t think I was good enough
And, and maybe if I was good at something that I’d get recognition from that but
I quickly found out that I wasn’t gonna get the recognition that I wanted or that I needed because
Because people aren’t perfect and by not being perfect you sometimes can disappoint people
And with God it’s like he’s perfect
And he never disappoints
So I just get my recognition from him
And give him recognition
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