Music Friday: Britt Nicole Tells Her Young Fans They're Worth More Than 'Gold'

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you sensational songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the lyrics or title. Today, Christian pop artist Britt Nicole delivers an inspirational message about empowerment, tolerance, confidence and self-love in her 2012 mainstream hit, "Gold."

In the catchy chorus, Nicole compares her youthful fans to everyone's favorite precious metal.

She sings, "This, this is for all the girls, and boys all over the world / Whatever you've been told, you're worth more than gold / So hold your head up high, it's your time to shine / From the inside it shows, you're worth more than gold."

Later in the song, she emphasizes that it's OK to make mistakes and employs the most precious of gemstones to make her point: "Yeah, there are days that we all feel like we are messed up / but the truth is that we're all diamonds in the rough / So don't be ashamed to wear your crown."

Fans have embraced Nicole's message and frequently show up at her concerts wearing gold crowns.

The artist told Radio.com that she wrote "Gold" to address the feelings she was experiencing on a particularly bad day.

"I wasn't feeling confident in who I was," she said. "You know those days when you listen to all the negative kind of thoughts about yourself… Not only was I feeling that way, I was getting a lot of messages from fans who were writing letters and coming up to me at the shows saying, 'I'm being bullied in school. My parents are walking through a divorce. I'm struggling with cutting or an eating disorder.'"

"Gold" is the title track from Nicole's third studio album. The song hit #1 on the Billboard US Christian Digital Songs list and ascended to #28 on the Billboard US Mainstream Top 40 list. The album, Gold, was nominated in the category of Best Contemporary Christian Music Album at the 55th Grammy Awards.

Brittany Nicole Waddell was born in Salisbury, NC, in 1984. She began singing at her church at the age of 3 and performed at New York's Carnegie Hall with her high school's advanced choir group. She eventually turned down a scholarship from Belmont University in Nashville to pursue a music career.

Please check out the video of Nicole performing "Gold" to a packed crowd at the 44th edition of the EO Youth Day, which took place in the 41,000-seat Gelredome Stadium in Arnhem, The Netherlands, in 2018. The lyrics are below if you'd like to sing along…

“Gold”
Written by Jess Cates, Dan Muckala and Britt Nicole. Performed by Britt Nicole.

You were walking on the moon, now you're feeling low -ow-ow
What they said wasn't true, you're beautiful ul-ul
Sticks and stones break your bones, I know what you're feeling
Words like those won't steal your glow, you're one in a million

This, this is for all the girls, and boys all over the world
Whatever you've been told, you're worth more than gold
So hold your head up high, it's your time to shine
From the inside it shows, you're worth more than gold
(gold gold, you're gold)
You're worth more than gold
(gold gold you're gold)

Well everybody keeps score, afraid you're gonna lose
Just ignore they don't know the real you
All the rain in the sky can't put out your fire
Of all the stars out tonight, you shine brighter

This, this is for all the girls, and boys all over the world
Whatever you've been told, you're worth more than gold
So hold your head up high, it's your time to shine
From the inside it shows, you're worth more than gold
(gold gold, you're gold)
You're worth more than gold
(gold gold you're gold)

So don't let anybody tell you that you're not loved
and don't let anybody tell you that you're not enough
Yeah, there are days that we all feel like we are messed up
but the truth is that we're all diamonds in the rough
So don't be ashamed to wear your crown
You're a king you're a queen inside and out
You glow like the moon, you shine like the stars
This is for you, wherever you are

Oh, oh, yeah, yeah, oh, oh
You're gold

This, this is for all the girls, and boys all over the world
Whatever you've been told, you're worth more than gold
(so hold your head up high) so hold your head up high
It's your time to shine
From the inside it shows, you're worth more than gold
(gold gold, you're gold)
You're worth more than gold
(gold gold you're gold)
So don't be ashamed to wear your crown
You're a king you're a queen inside and out

Credit: Image capture via YouTube.com.

Birthstone Feature: 96-Carat Amethyst Stands Out in This Piece From Nat'l Gem Collection

One of the world’s most outstanding examples of February’s birthstone is the 96-carat heart-shaped stunner at the center of the "Amethyst Heart Brooch," an Edwardian-period piece that was donated to the Smithsonian in 1973 by philanthropist Miriam Hubbard Morris.

Exhibiting a deep, rich purple color, the Brazilian-sourced amethyst is surrounded by diamonds in a mounting that is fabricated in platinum with a yellow gold undercarriage. The brooch has a filigree top that imitates the heart shape with pierced work, incorporating a fleur-de-lis motif set with old European cut diamonds.

According to the Smithsonian, the brooch was likely crafted between 1901 and 1915, when jewelry of the time featured lacy filigree designs that were light and delicate like the clothing at the time, with a sense of refined elegance and luxury.

Interestingly, amethyst was often included in jewelry of this era because it was a favorite stone of Alexandra, the wife of British King Edward VII, who passed away in 1910. Edward's mother was Queen Victoria, whose refined tastes were reflected in the Victorian era.

Morris, the wife of Washington, DC, lawyer George M. Morris, passed away in 1982 at the age of 90. Her husband died in 1954 at the age of 65.

For the past 48 years, her generous donation of the "Amethyst Heart Brooch" has been a permanent resident of the National Gem Collection at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Amethyst is the most coveted variety of quartz, which is clear in its pure state. Amethyst owes its purple color to a few atoms of iron displacing some of the silicon in the gem’s molecular structure. These traces of iron can give amethyst a wide range of colors, from almost white to deep purple.

Amethyst has been treasured for thousands of years and is one of the oldest recorded gemstones. Amethysts have been recovered from ancient Egyptian tombs and were prized by the Greeks, Romans, Babylonians and Hebrews.

The ancient Greeks believed amethyst could reverse the effects of drunkenness. In fact, amethyst gets its name from the Greek word “amethystos,” which literally means “not to intoxicate.”

The color rating of an amethyst is determined by hue, tone and saturation. Hue is the color; tone is relative lightness or darkness of the color; and saturation relates to the color’s intensity, from dull to vivid.

Credit: Photo by Chip Clark/Smithsonian.

Valentine Shoppers to Spend More on Jewelry Than Any Other Category, Reports NRF

For the fifth year in a row, Valentine shoppers will be spending more on jewelry than any other category, according to a survey just released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics.

The NRF is estimating that jewelry gifts will account for $4.1 billion, or 18.8% of the overall Valentine's Day spending total of $21.8 billion. Both spending figures for 2021 are a bit higher than the very strong totals achieved in 2019, but significantly down from 2020's record highs.

For example, jewelry spending was $5.8 billion in 2020, which represented a huge 48% gain over 2019's total of $3.9 billion. Overall spending was $27.4 billion in 2020, up 32% from $20.7 billion, which had been a record in 2019.

Pandemic-related shopping and gathering restrictions have negatively affected just about all the gift categories in the NRF survey, but the one most affected is "evening out." That category accounted for $4.3 billion in spending in 2020, but is expected to generate only $2.7 billion in 2021.

Even still, 41% of respondents told the NRF that they will plan a special dinner or celebration in the comfort of their own home.

“There is no question the pandemic has disrupted many aspects of Americans’ daily interactions and activities,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “However, there remains a special significance around Valentine’s Day, and consumers are committed to celebrating with friends and loved ones, even if that means having to alter those traditional holiday celebrations.”

Fifty-two percent of consumers will be celebrating Valentine’s Day in 2021, a slight decrease from the 55% who celebrated in 2020.

According to the NRF, 73% of consumers celebrating Valentine’s Day this year feel it is important to do so given the current state of the pandemic. It is clear the virus is still front and center, with 74% indicating it will directly impact their plans for the holiday.

The average gift-giving Cupid in 2021 has a budget of $164.76, down $32 from 2020's record of $196.31. Spending this year is slightly higher than the $161.96 recorded in 2019. This year, men will outspend women $231 to $101.

As noted earlier, jewelry dominates all categories. Shoppers plan to spend $4.1 billion on jewelry (given by 18%), $2.7 billion on an evening out (24%), $2.7 billion on clothing (19%), $2.1 billion on gift cards (20%), $2.0 billion on candy (54%), $2.0 billion on flowers (36%) and $1.1 billion on greeting cards (44%).

The NRF’s 2021 Valentine’s Day spending survey was designed to gauge consumer behavior and shopping trends related to Valentine’s Day. The survey was conducted for NRF by Prosper Insights & Analytics. The poll of 7,882 consumers took place from January 4-12, 2021, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.1 percentage points.

Credit: Image by BigStockPhoto.com.

Music Friday: 'Independent Women' Buy Their Own Diamonds, Asserts Destiny's Child

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you great songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the lyrics or title. Today, Beyoncé and Destiny's Child sing about female empowerment and financial independence in their 2000 hit, "Independent Women Part 1," from the movie Charlie's Angels.

Sixth on Harper's Bazaar's 2020 list of the 41 most powerful songs written by women, "Independent Women Part 1" pulls no punches in its messaging. The basic premise of the song is that the independent woman needs no man to gift her the finer things in life. She can buy these items on her own.

The first verse goes like this: "Question: Tell me what you think about me / I buy my own diamonds and I buy my own rings."

In the catchy chorus, we hear another diamond reference: "The shoes on my feet / I've bought it / The clothes I'm wearing / I've bought it / The rock I'm rockin' / 'Cause I depend on me."

According to songfacts.com, Beyoncé was inspired to write the song after having an argument with her boyfriend. She thought to herself, "I don't need a man, I'm independent." She marched into a studio and recorded vocals for the first version of the song, which was eventually released as "Independent Women Part 2."

"Independent Woman Part 1" is a version of the song that was reworked by Samuel Barnes, Jean-Claude Olivier and Cory Rooney for the 2000 film adaptation of the Charlie's Angels TV series.

In the official video, the three members of Destiny's Child — Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams — find themselves in a futuristic bootcamp, where they take on the roles of the movie-version Angels, played by Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu. Both the film and the song were huge successes. The movie went on to gross $264 million and the song charted in 23 countries, including a #1 position on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #3 placement on the Canadian Singles Chart.

The song also earned a 2001 Grammy nomination for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.

Twelve years later, Beyoncé and her former bandmates (Destiny's Child broke up in 2006) reconnected to perform "Independent Woman Part 1" during the halftime show of the 2013 Super Bowl.

Please check out the official video of "Independent Women Part I." The lyrics are below if you'd like to sing along…

"Independent Women Part 1"
Written by Samuel Barnes, Jean-Claude Olivier, Cory Rooney and Beyoncé Knowles. Performed by Destiny's Child.

Lucy Liu… with my girl, Drew… Cameron D. and Destiny
Charlie's Angels, Come on
Uh uh uh

Question: Tell me what you think about me
I buy my own diamonds and I buy my own rings
Only ring your cell-y when I'm feelin' lonely
When it's all over please get up and leave
Question: Tell me how you feel about this
Try to control me boy you get dismissed
Pay my own fun, oh and I pay my own bills
Always 50/50 in relationships

The shoes on my feet
I've bought it
The clothes I'm wearing
I've bought it
The rock I'm rockin'
'Cause I depend on me
If I wanted the watch you're wearin'
I'll buy it
The house I live in
I've bought it
The car I'm driving
I've bought it
I depend on me
(I depend on me)

All the women who are independent
Throw your hands up at me
All the honeys who makin' money
Throw your hands up at me
All the mommas who profit dollas
Throw your hands up at me
All the ladies who truly feel me
Throw your hands up at me

Girl I didn't know you could get down like that
Charlie, how your Angels get down like that
Girl I didn't know you could get down like that
Charlie, how your Angels get down like that

Tell me how you feel about this
Who would I want if I would wanna live
I worked hard and sacrificed to get what I get
Ladies, it ain't easy bein' independent
Question: How'd you like this knowledge that I brought
Braggin' on that cash that he gave you is to front
If you're gonna brag make sure it's your money you flaunt
Depend on noone else to give you what you want

The shoes on my feet
I've bought it
The clothes I'm wearing
I've bought it
The rock I'm rockin'
'Cause I depend on me
If I wanted the watch you're wearin'
I'll buy it
The house I live in
I've bought it
The car I'm driving
I've bought it
I depend on me
(I depend on me)

All the women who are independent
Throw your hands up at me
All the honeys who makin' money
Throw your hands up at me
All the mommas who profit dollas
Throw your hands up at me
All the ladies who truly feel me
Throw your hands up at me

Girl I didn't know you could get down like that
Charlie, how your Angels get down like that
Girl I didn't know you could get down like that
Charlie, how your Angels get down like that

Destiny's Child
Wassup?
You in the house?
Sure 'nuff
We'll break these people off Angel style

Child of Destiny
Independent beauty
Noone else can scare me
Charlie's Angels

Woah
All the women who are independent
Throw your hands up at me
All the honeys who makin' money
Throw your hands up at me
All the mommas who profit dollas
Throw your hands up at me
All the ladies who truly feel me
Throw your hands up at me

Girl I didn't know you could get down like that
Charlie, how your Angels get down like that

Credit: Screen capture via YouTube.com.

Valentine's Day 2021 Promises to Be a Romantic Sunday of Marriage Proposals

Great news! Valentine's Day comes out on a Sunday this year, which makes it the perfect time to pop the question with the perfect ring.

Millions of suitors will take advantage of their day off to execute the perfect surprise proposal. It may start off with a romantic outing — a return to the scene of a first date, perhaps — and then getting down on bended knee, professing their love and pulling out a ring box that's been cleverly hidden in their jacket pocket. And after all the happy tears have dried away, the couple will have plenty of time — because it's Sunday — to share the excitement with family and friends.

Valentine's Day marks the end of “engagement season,” that romantic time of the year — from late November to mid-February — when nearly 40% of all marriage proposals take place.

How many suitors will find themselves on bended knee this February 14th? Current stats are unavailable, but back in early 2013 (when Valentine's Day came out on a Thursday), an American Express spending survey estimated that 6 million American couples would be either receiving or delivering a marriage proposal on Valentine’s Day.

Over the past few years, Valentine's Day has maintained its position as one of the calendar's Top 5 days to get engaged. According to WeddingWire's most recent “Newlywed Report,” Valentine's Day rated as the fifth-most-popular day to pop the question, with Christmas Day taking the #1 spot. In WeddingWire's 2018 report, Valentine's Day rolled in at #2, just behind Christmas Day.

Wedding website The Knot also placed Christmas Day in the #1 spot, followed by Christmas Eve, New Year's Day, the Sunday before Christmas and Valentine's Day.

As you can see, all of the most popular days to pop the question fit neatly into "engagement season."

If proposals were distributed equally throughout the year, each month would claim about 8%. But, WeddingWire's 2020 Newlywed Report revealed a significant spike in the portion of proposals taking place during December. A surprising 19% of all engagements happen during that festive month, and the number represents a rise of three percentage points since 2017. December proposals outnumber any other month by a margin of better than 2 to 1.

In 2020, the National Retail Federation reported that 55% of the U.S. population would exchange gifts on Valentine's Day, with jewelry purchases expected to reach $5.8 billion. A special subset of that number reflected the purchasing power of millions of romantic suitors who proposed with a diamond ring.

According to WeddingWire's 2020 Newlywed Report, 89% of suitors proposed with a ring in hand and 84% popped the question on bended knee.

Credit: Image by Bigstockphoto.com.