Only Elton John could turn one of life’s more painful experiences into glittering works of art. In the new World Gold Council documentary "Elton John – Touched by Gold," the legendary performer reveals how his surgically removed kneecaps were transformed into “timeless” jewelry pieces by London-based designer Theo Fennell.



The two-minute kneecap segment begins with John recounting his 2024 double knee replacement surgery. True to form, he couldn’t resist asking for an unconventional keepsake.

“I asked my surgeon if I could keep the kneecaps, which she was rather startled about,” John recalled. Once John had them in his possession, he called on Fennell, known for his bold and whimsical creations, with a simple instruction: “Do what you want with them.”

Fennell obliged in spectacular fashion. The bones were first “baked” to dry them out, leaving a porous, pumice-like texture. They were then reinforced with acetate, polished and finally mounted in gold. The right kneecap became a pendant necklace with a chain crafted from gilded bone, while the smaller left kneecap was turned into a brooch.

What might sound macabre at first quickly takes on deeper meaning in the 27-minute film. The necklace’s pendant bears a Latin inscription that reads, “I will no longer bow to any man.” John joked about the irony — without kneecaps, he literally cannot bow — but the phrase also reflects his defiant spirit and survival through countless challenges, both personal and professional.

Examining the finished pendant, John marveled at its resemblance to an ancient relic: “It looks like an old artifact from Egypt or something.” Fennell agreed, calling the pieces “talismanic,” objects that, in a thousand years, may still be instantly recognized as Elton John’s.

The “Rocket Man” singer has always been synonymous with sparkle, from his rhinestone-studded stage costumes to the dozens of gold records lining his walls. Gold, he reflected in the documentary, is eternal—ravishing, overwhelming and universally symbolic. By immortalizing his kneecaps in the precious metal, John found a way to transform pain into permanence.

“I honestly think these are timeless pieces that will last for centuries,” he said. True to his words, John even wore the necklace at the London premiere of his 2024 biopic Never Too Late.

In the end, the golden kneecaps are more than eccentric curiosities. They are a reminder of how jewelry — whether fashioned from gemstones, precious metals or even the unexpected — can embody personal history, resilience and a touch of irreverent glamor.

Check out the two-minute "kneecap jewelry" segment of "Elton John — Touched By Gold," starting at the 11:05 mark.



Credit: Elton John photo by Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Kneecap jewelry screen grab from "Elton John - Touched by Gold," via YouTube / World Gold Council.

Welcome to Music Friday, when we spotlight songs that feature jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the lyrics or title. Today, we revisit Anita Baker’s dreamy 1988 ballad, "Priceless," a song where the seven-time Grammy winner likens her beloved to a precious jewel and declares their bond more valuable than diamonds or gold.



Baker opens the song with a sentiment that resonates deeply with jewelry lovers: “You are to me like a precious jewel, so valuable, baby / Think it shines so bright lighting up my life, with pure delight.” Just as a gemstone captures light and reflects it back in dazzling brilliance, she describes her partner as a radiant force who illuminates her world.

The metaphor deepens when she sings of treasures that cannot rival true love: “Gimme all the gold in the world, it will not replace this love, baby / Take a diamond ring, worth a lot — what we got cannot be bought or sold.”

Here, Baker acknowledges the traditional symbols of wealth and romance — a diamond ring and shimmering gold — only to conclude that their love is beyond measure, beyond price. In the world of jewelry, value is tied to rarity, beauty and emotional meaning. Baker captures all three in a few simple lines, suggesting that her relationship is as unique and enduring as the rarest gem.

Released as the opening track on her blockbuster album Giving You the Best That I Got, "Priceless" set the tone for an era-defining project that reached #1 on both the US Billboard 200 and the Billboard R&B Albums chart. The record went on to sell more than five million copies worldwide and brought Baker three Grammy Awards along with three Soul Train Music Awards.

Baker’s journey to stardom was anything but easy. Born in Toledo, OH, and raised in Detroit after being abandoned by her mother, she faced loss early when her foster parents passed away while she was still a child. By age 16, she was performing in Detroit nightclubs, where her remarkable voice caught the attention of bandleader David Washington. That opportunity led to her role as lead singer of Chapter 8, and ultimately to a solo career that defined R&B in the 1980s and beyond.

Her enduring artistry was celebrated in 2018, when Baker received BET’s coveted Lifetime Achievement Award. More recently, she returned to the stage for The Songstress Tour in 2023, her first full tour in nearly three decades, delighting longtime fans with her signature blend of elegance, warmth, and vocal mastery.

Whether or not Baker will continue to tour is unclear, but songs like "Priceless" ensure her voice — and her message — remain timeless. Please enjoy the audio track of Anita Baker performing "Priceless." The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…

“Priceless”
Written by Garry Glenn. Performed by Anita Baker.

When you ask me how I feel about you
I try to find the words that best describe you
You are to me like a precious jewel, so valuable baby
Think it shines so bright lighting up my life, with pure delight

You are so priceless to me and loving you has made me see
With your love I can do most anything
You are so priceless to me, you’re like the first rainbow in spring
Your love comforts my heart with joy you bring

I envision you and me in love together
Getting closer, as we share each day together
Gimme all the gold in the world, it will not replace this love baby, yeah
Take a diamond ring, worth a lot — what we got cannot be bought or sold

You are so priceless to me and loving you has made me see
With your love I can do most anything
You are so priceless to me, you’re like the first rainbow in spring
Your love comforts my heart with joy you bring

Never had a lover, babe
My baby, my baby, my darlin’

You are so priceless to me and loving you has made me see
With your love I can do most anything
You are so priceless to me, you’re like the first rainbow in spring
Your love comforts my heart with joy you bring

You are so priceless to me and loving you has made me see
With your love I can do most anything
You are so priceless to me, you’re like the first rainbow in spring
Your love comforts my heart with joy you bring

You are so priceless to me and loving you has made me see
With your love I can do most anything



Credit: Photo by MC2 Erica R. Gardner, USN, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Taylor Swift’s recent engagement to NFL star Travis Kelce has officially ushered in what The Knot is calling “The Swiftification of Weddings.” According to a new report, the ripple effects of the couple’s love story will drive $2.2 billion in incremental global wedding spend over the next two years — $1.8 billion in the US alone. And at the heart of this phenomenon is jewelry, especially Swift’s vintage-inspired engagement ring.



Designed by New York City jeweler Kindred Lubeck of Artifex Fine Jewelry, Swift’s ring features a striking 8-to-10-carat Old Mine Cut diamond set in yellow gold. This antique cut — often squarish in shape with chunky facets and a romantic glow — predates the modern brilliant and was most popular during the Victorian era. Its timeless character perfectly suits Swift’s reputation as a storyteller with one foot in the past and one in the present.



According to The Knot’s study, Swift’s choice is more than symbolic: It’s a market mover. The report projects a $350 million bump in US wedding jewelry spend alone, as couples emulate her engagement style. Searches for vintage-inspired engagement rings and heirloom settings are already trending upward. Couples will be seeking out jewelers who specialize in Old Mine cuts, as well as other antique styles like Old European cuts and rose cuts.

The Knot’s survey of engaged and pre-engaged couples shows that 85% of partners currently opt for diamond engagement rings, a figure expected to rise as Swift’s influence spreads. What’s more, the report suggests that average spend per ring could climb, as couples gravitate toward larger center stones and unique antique settings reminiscent of Swift’s design.



This consumer excitement is extending beyond engagement rings to wedding bands. Once Swift and Kelce reveal their own choices, jewelers may see another surge in interest. Bands that complement Old Mine cuts — think hand-carved gold, vintage-inspired pavé or stacking sets — could experience outsized demand.

The jewelry sector is not the only beneficiary of Swiftification, but it may be the most directly impacted. As Esther Lee, Deputy Editor at The Knot, explains: “We expect outsized impact across jewelry, fashion and floral design. One highly visible love story is reshaping everything from ring preferences to the modern wedding wardrobe.”

The parallels to past cultural wedding moments are striking. Kate Middleton’s sapphire engagement ring sparked a global wave of colored gemstone sales, while Meghan Markle’s minimalist three-stone ring popularized timeless simplicity. Swift’s Old Mine diamond may well cement vintage-inspired cuts as the defining trend of the mid-2020s.

The Knot predicts that the Swift/Kelce union will spark cultural enthusiasm for weddings, influencing couples’ choices across attire, décor and overall event style. Couples will likely invest more in florals, photography, video, stationery and day-of styling, along with creative “Easter egg” details inspired by the singer’s signature storytelling. Their celebration could also stimulate local economies and tourism, depending on the wedding destination.

"The Swiftification of Weddings: A Report by The Knot" combines primary research from multiple studies, including a recent onsite survey of engaged and pre-engaged couples on The Knot, fielded during the first week of September 2025 (n=1,200+), an onsite survey of The Knot wedding professionals, fielded during the first week of September 2025 (n=90), and a survey of engaged and pre-engaged members of The Knot Insiders community, fielded August 28–September 1, 2025 (n=142). Respondents represent individuals from all over the country with various ethnicities, income levels, race, age, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Credits: Images via Instagram / taylorswift and killatrav.

"The Queen" — a 3.16-carat fancy vivid pink diamond — has secured its place in history as the largest gem ever to receive a 1P grade from Argyle Pink Diamonds™. This achievement not only underscores its beauty but also sets a new benchmark in the world of rare gemstones.



The Queen's remarkable 1P grade reflects the pinnacle of Argyle’s proprietary color scale. While the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) provides broad color classifications, Argyle developed its own system to capture the extraordinary range and saturation unique to its pink diamonds.



Stones are first sorted by hue — purplish pink (PP), pink (P), pink rose (PR) and pink champagne (PC) — and then assigned an intensity rating from 1 (deepest) to 9 (lightest). A 1P diamond therefore represents a pure pink stone with the highest possible saturation, making it extraordinarily rare.



Originally cut from a 5.19-carat rough unearthed in 1995, The Queen was shaped into a modified brilliant cushion by London master cutter M. Vainer Ltd. Its softened corners and intricate facets create a radiant play of light, enhancing the gem’s pure pink brilliance. Surpassing even the legendary Argyle Alpha (3.14 carats, 3PP) in prestige, The Queen is now recognized as the finest cushion-shaped 1P diamond ever certified.

Pink diamonds are among the scarcest natural treasures on Earth, with fewer than one in 100,000 gem-quality stones displaying this coveted hue. For more than three decades, the Argyle Diamond Mine in Western Australia supplied over 90% of the world’s pink diamonds, creating an unparalleled legacy.

Since the mine’s closure in November 2020, the scarcity of these stones has intensified dramatically, fueling unprecedented demand and value. According to the Fancy Colour Diamond Index, pink diamonds have surged nearly 394% in value since 2005, with Argyle-certified examples commanding even greater premiums.

For collectors and connoisseurs, The Queen is more than a jewel — it is a symbol of finality and rarity. With no new supply of Argyle pink diamonds entering the market, every certified stone represents a finite chapter of natural history.

Credit: Images courtesy of GIA Monograph "The Queen."

When it comes to legendary diamonds, few gems carry the mystique, rarity and provenance of "The Mellon Blue." This 9.51-carat Fancy Vivid Blue diamond, once part of the collection of philanthropist and horticultural icon Rachel Lambert “Bunny” Mellon, will once again step into the spotlight at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva on November 11. The pre-auction estimate is an impressive $20 million to $30 million.



The Mellon Blue is a pear-shaped, Internally Flawless diamond of extraordinary quality. Its deep, mesmerizing blue hue places it among the rarest gems on Earth, with fewer than 0.02% of all diamonds exhibiting natural blue color. These stones owe their vivid shades to trace amounts of boron that enter their crystal lattice during formation — an event that occurs some 400 miles beneath the Earth’s surface, much deeper than most diamonds. This extreme environment, combined with geological happenstance, makes blue diamonds among nature’s rarest miracles.

Blue diamonds have captivated collectors for decades, with record-setting sales across auction houses. The Mellon Blue is no stranger to history-making moments: When it last appeared at auction in 2014, it sold for $32.6 million, setting records for both the highest price paid for a blue diamond and the highest price per carat for any diamond at the time. Now reset as a ring, the stone is poised to enchant the market once again.

Its provenance is as fascinating as its beauty. Bunny Mellon, who died in 2014 at the age of 103, was renowned for her refined taste and elegant lifestyle. She was the wife of financier and philanthropist Paul Mellon and became a cultural tastemaker in her own right. At President John F. Kennedy’s request, she redesigned the White House Rose Garden in 1961, introducing American plant species and creating a graceful outdoor setting, elements of which are still admired today. Mellon also lent her vision to projects in France, including the gardens of her friend Hubert de Givenchy and the restoration of Versailles’ historic Potager du Roi.

Her jewelry reflected the same understated sophistication she brought to her gardens and art collections. The Mellon Blue, with its striking color and flawless clarity, was one of her most prized possessions. Today, it stands as a symbol of her elegance and the enduring allure of blue diamonds.

As Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s International Head of Jewellery, observed, “This stunning Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond, once belonging to America’s Garden Queen, is among the finest colored diamonds to appear for sale at auction.”

That elite club of blue diamonds includes the 15.1-carat “De Beers Cullinan Blue” ($57.5 million, Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 2022), the 14.6-carat “Oppenheimer Blue” ($57.5 million, Christie’s Geneva, 2016) and the 12.03-carat “Blue Moon of Josephine” ($48.5 million, Sotheby’s Geneva, 2015).

With its rare geological origins, storied history and world-class beauty, The Mellon Blue is more than a jewel — it’s a wonderful treasure that continues to capture imaginations and set new standards for what makes a diamond truly extraordinary.

Credit: Image courtesy of Christie's.

Supermodel Elsa Hosk has a dazzling new accessory on her left hand. The 36-year-old Swedish beauty, best known as a Victoria’s Secret Angel and for her own fashion label, Helsa, is officially engaged to longtime partner Tom Daly. The couple, who met in New York City in 2015 and share a four-year-old daughter, Tuulikki Joan, announced their engagement on September 10, 2025, with a heartfelt Instagram post.



And what a ring it is. Hosk’s engagement sparkler is reported to be a Tiffany & Co. "Soleste," featuring an oval brilliant-cut diamond estimated to weigh between 8 and 10 carats. Surrounded by a halo of micro-pavé diamonds and set on a diamond-studded platinum band, the ring epitomizes timeless elegance with a modern edge.

Jewelry experts estimate the value anywhere from $350,000 to nearly $1 million depending on the diamond’s exact size and grading. Regardless of the figure, the piece is already being hailed as one of the standout celebrity rings of the year.



The engagement ring places Hosk among a glittering list of celebrities showing off mega-carat stones in 2025. Just this year, French Montana proposed to Sheikha Mahra with an 11.53-carat emerald-cut diamond, Travis Kelce gave Taylor Swift an antique Old Mine Brilliant estimated at up to 10 carats, and Cristiano Ronaldo presented Georgina Rodríguez with a jaw-dropping 30-plus carat diamond.



The proposal was every bit as romantic as the ring. Daly, a businessman and co-founder of the eyewear brand District Vision, transformed the couple’s newly purchased Manhattan apartment into a “Swedish wildflower garden.” Candles flickered in glass hurricanes while lush pink blooms filled the all-white space, setting the stage for Daly to drop to one knee. Hosk, radiant in a red satin blouse and maroon skirt, tearfully said "Yes."

After the intimate moment, Daly whisked Hosk off to Lucien, the East Village bistro where they shared their first date. What she thought would be a quiet dinner turned into a joyful surprise party with family and friends flown in from Los Angeles and Sweden. Guests cheered, tossed confetti, and celebrated with a traditional Swedish princess cake iced with “Congratulations Elsa & Tom.”

For Hosk and Daly, though, the focus was on a love story a decade in the making. From raising their daughter together to building careers in fashion and business, the couple has long complemented each other. Their latest chapter begins with a ring that is not only a stunning showpiece, but also a sparkling symbol of lasting commitment.

Credits: Photos via Instagram / Elsa Hosk.

Welcome to Music Friday, when we bring you great songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, Canadian country star Dallas Smith compares his one-in-a-million romance to a rare and precious gemstone in his chart-topping single, “Rhinestone World.”



The central refrain, “Loving you is like finding a diamond in a rhinestone world,” captures the song’s emotional core. In a world full of flash and imitation, a genuine, lasting love is as rare and valuable as a diamond.

While rhinestones glitter brightly, they are mass-produced and inexpensive. A diamond, by contrast, symbolizes permanence, rarity and authenticity. Smith’s metaphor elevates his relationship above the shallow distractions of life, suggesting that true love is both precious and enduring.

Released in late 2018 as the second single from his EP The Fall and later featured on his 2020 album Timeless, “Rhinestone World” quickly resonated with fans, climbing to #1 on the Billboard Canada Country chart. Critics praised the song’s blend of country storytelling and rock energy, calling it a heartfelt tribute to unconditional love.

The official music video deepens the song’s meaning through striking visual contrasts. Scenes of a young couple laughing and exploring a thrift store burst with color and joy, while black-and-white footage of an older man wearing a diamond pendant offers a poignant counterpoint. The video weaves a narrative of devotion that grows stronger over time.

Dallas Smith, now 47, is one of Canada’s most decorated country artists, with a record-setting 12 number-one singles on the Canada Country chart. Named Entertainer of the Year by the Canadian Country Music Association three years in a row (2019–2021), he continues to connect with audiences through both intimate performances and arena tours. Smith will launch an unplugged tour across Canada this fall, beginning in Abbotsford, BC, in October.

Check out the official video of “Rhinestone World,” and listen closely — you may find yourself reflecting on the “diamonds” in your own life. The lyrics are below if you like to sing along…

“Rhinestone World”
Written Andrew DeRoberts, Josh Osborne and Rodney Clawson. Performed by Dallas Smith.

See the sun
Coming up
From the from seat of a greyhound bus
Felt the rain
On the faces
I was standing at the gates of Graceland
Searching for something
Searching for someone
Lost on the highway
A little dazed and confused
But the haze of the road dust
Comes into focus
Every time I look at you

You’re a little white church
On a corner in Mississippi
The front porch light that feels like home, girl
Look at you shine
Loving you is like finding
A diamond in a rhinestone world

You’re a red Corvette on a Carolina two lane
Lighter in the air to a damn good song, girl
Can’t believe you’re mine
Loving you is like finding
A diamond in a rhinestone world

Ohhh, you’re a diamond in a rhinestone world

Waking up
All alone
Means you might have just been chasing ghosts
And all the glitter fades fast
And a gold rush ain’t made to last

You’re a little white church
On a corner in Mississippi
A front porch light that feels like home, girl
Look at you shine
Loving you is like finding
A diamond in a rhinestone world

You’re a red Corvette on a Carolina two lane
Lighter in the air to a damn good song, girl
Can’t believe you’re mine
Loving you is like finding
A diamond in a rhinestone world

You’re a diamond in a rhinestone world

You’re a little white church
On a corner in Mississippi
A front porch light that feels like home, girl
Look at you shine
Loving you is like finding
A diamond in a rhinestone world

You’re a red Corvette on a Carolina two lane
Lighter in the air to a damn good song
Girl, can’t believe you’re mine
Loving you is like finding
A diamond in a rhinestone world

You’re a diamond in a rhinestone world

You’re a diamond in a rhinestone world



Credit: Photo by Enjoy151, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Welcome to Music Friday, when we spotlight songs that feature jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, Kelly Clarkson delivers a searing message about a fading romance in her 2017 gospel-inspired single, “Heat.”



The song finds Clarkson in the role of a woman determined to revive a relationship that has grown stale. Once brimming with affection, her partner no longer shows the same passion. In a striking lyric, she confronts him with this line: “Baby I deserve it, don’t let me down / You used to make me feel like a diamond / Now it don’t even seem like you’re tryin’.”

The imagery is powerful. A diamond, prized for its brilliance, rarity and resilience, has long symbolized the highest form of devotion. By declaring that she no longer feels like one, Clarkson suggests that the admiration, care and value once given to her have diminished. The lyric captures both the pain of neglect and the yearning to feel treasured once more.

When “Heat” was released as the third single from Meaning of Life, critics hailed it as one of Clarkson’s most spirited performances. Michael Cragg of The Observer described the track as “pure unadulterated joy,” while audiences propelled it to #1 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. Clarkson brought her powerhouse vocals to television audiences through high-profile performances on The Today Show, The Voice and NBC’s New Year’s Eve telecast.

At the time of the single’s release, Clarkson and her then-husband, Brandon Blackstock, spoke publicly about their efforts to keep romance alive despite busy schedules. But reality proved more complicated. Clarkson filed for divorce in 2020 after nearly seven years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. In August 2025, Blackstock passed away from melanoma, marking a deeply personal loss for the singer.

Now, as Clarkson prepares to return as a judge on Season 29 of The Voice in 2026, the lyrics of “Heat” resonate with new poignancy. The song stands not only as a plea for rekindled affection but also as a reminder of how relationships — like diamonds — require care and commitment to maintain their brilliance.

Born in Ft. Worth, TX, in 1982, Clarkson remains one of the most enduring voices of her generation, with more than 25 million albums and 40 million singles sold worldwide. Her accolades include three Grammy Awards, eight Daytime Emmys, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Please enjoy Clarkson’s rousing live performance of “Heat” at the 2018 iHeart Radio Music Festival. The lyrics are below if you'd like to sing along…

“Heat”
Written by Andre Davidson, Sean Davidson, Mick Schultz, Jessica Ashley Karpov and Michael Pollack. Performed by Kelly Clarkson.

I’m stumblin’ through the darkness
There ain’t no sign of a spark here
I’m used to feelin’ that fire
You watered down that desire

I put my work in, day in, day out
Baby I deserve it, don’t let me down
You used to make me feel like a diamond
Now it don’t even seem like you’re tryin’

So give me one good reason that I should need you

(Oh, whoa, oh)
Come turn this around
No, no, don’t let us down
I need more heat from ya, baby
Make me feel weak for ya, babe

(Oh, whoa, oh)
And I feel alive
(Oh, whoa, oh)
Like my heart’s in the wild
I need more heat from ya, baby
Make me feel weak for ya, babe

I’m slippin’ out of your fingers
Keep coolin’ down like November
I wanna feel you deeper
But all I got is that fever

I put that work in, day in, day out
Baby I deserve it, don’t let me down, no
Give me one good reason that I should need you

(Oh, whoa, oh)
Come turn this around
No, no, don’t let us down
I need more heat from ya, baby
Make me feel weak for ya, babe
(Oh, whoa, oh)
And I feel alive
(Oh, whoa, oh)
Like my heart’s in the wild
I need more heat from ya, baby
Make me feel weak for ya, babe

Better than that
Better than that
You know I love you
Better than that
Better than that
So come on love me
Better than that
Better than that
Oh we can do so much
Better than that
Better than that

(Oh, whoa, oh)
Come turn this around
No, no, don’t let us down
I need more heat from ya, baby
Make me feel weak for ya, babe
(Oh, whoa, oh)
And I feel alive
(Oh, whoa, oh)
Like my heart’s in the wild
I need more heat from ya, baby
Make me feel weak for ya, babe

Better than that
Better than that
You know I love you
You know I need you
You know I love you
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

You know I love you
Yeah
Better than that
Better than that

You know I love you
Better than that
Better than that



Credit: Photo by vagueonthehow from Tadcaster, York, England, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Among all the varieties of sapphire, none captures the imagination quite like the padparadscha. This extraordinary gemstone, celebrated for its delicate blend of pink and orange, is widely regarded as the rarest and most valuable form of September’s birthstone. Often likened to the hues of a lotus blossom or a tropical sunset, padparadscha sapphires hold a singular place in the world of fine jewelry.



Like all sapphires, padparadscha belongs to the corundum family of minerals, which also includes ruby. Its distinctive salmon-to-apricot color arises from a rare interplay of trace elements: chromium, which lends red tones, and iron, which produces yellow. When perfectly balanced, these elements create the elusive pinkish-orange glow that defines the padparadscha. This harmony of color is so unique that connoisseurs describe the gem as “a true Rembrandt among gemstones.”

The name itself reflects its poetic beauty. Derived from the Sanskrit padma raga, meaning “lotus color,” padparadscha has long been treasured for evoking both natural tranquility and artistic brilliance. In gemological terms, it is categorized as a “fancy sapphire,” since any sapphire outside the traditional blue hue falls into that classification. Among all fancy sapphires — yellow, pink, purple, etc. — the padparadscha remains the most coveted.

Rarity is at the heart of its allure. Fine-quality stones above two carats are scarce, while gems over five carats are virtually museum pieces. The most historically prized examples come from Sri Lanka, though deposits are also found in Madagascar and Tanzania. Collectors prize unheated specimens with vivid, well-balanced color and exceptional clarity, and prices can rival or exceed those of top blue sapphires or Burmese rubies.

The gem gained global fame in 2018 when Princess Eugenie of York became engaged to Jack Brooksbank with an oval padparadscha sapphire encircled by a halo of white diamonds. In interviews, Brooksbank described the stone’s ability to shift color in changing light, calling it a perfect reflection of Eugenie herself. The royal engagement spotlight cemented the padparadscha’s reputation as a gemstone of romance, individuality and distinction.

Padparadscha sapphires consistently command impressive prices when they appear at auction, reflecting both their rarity and enduring demand. At Christie’s Hong Kong in 2013, a 73.98-carat oval padparadscha ring framed in diamonds achieved a pre-sale estimate of $1.55 million. More recently, fine-quality stones of five carats or more have sold for six-figure sums per carat, depending on origin, treatment status and overall balance of color.

Beyond its rarity, the padparadscha carries symbolic depth. Its colors are said to embody a union of passion (pink) and vitality (orange), while the lotus flower reference evokes renewal and love. Combined with sapphire’s legendary durability — a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale — the gem offers both beauty and resilience, making it an exceptional choice for heirloom jewelry and engagement rings alike.

For those born in September, the padparadscha offers a birthstone unlike any other: rare, radiant and endlessly captivating. In a market where collectors seek both beauty and exclusivity, this lotus-colored sapphire continues to shine as one of nature’s most unforgettable creations.

Credit: AI-generated artwork created by The Jeweler Blog using OpenAI's DALL-E 2.

High-profile rapper French Montana has officially joined the ranks of celebrity grooms-to-be, proposing to Dubai Princess Sheikha Mahra with a breathtaking 11.53-carat emerald-cut diamond ring. The couple announced their engagement on Instagram this past Thursday, revealing the dazzling jewel that Montana presented to the princess in June during Paris Fashion Week.



The custom piece, crafted by New York-based celebrity jeweler Eric The Jeweler of Mavani & Co., is a statement in both size and sophistication. According to reports, the GIA-certified diamond is graded E color and VVS2 clarity, making it exceptionally rare. Valued at approximately $1.1 million, the ring embodies both luxury and refinement.



French Montana — born Karim Kharbouch in Morocco and raised in the Bronx — is known globally for hits such as "Unforgettable" and "No Stylist." Beyond music, he has been praised for his philanthropy, particularly his work funding healthcare initiatives in Africa. His bride-to-be, Princess Sheikha Mahra bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is the daughter of Dubai’s ruler and UAE Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Admired for her charitable projects and progressive voice in the Middle East, the 31-year-old royal has become a prominent public figure in her own right.

The romance between Montana, 40, and Mahra first stirred speculation in October 2024, when she posted photos touring him around Dubai. By summer 2025, the couple went public, appearing together at multiple Fashion Week events before sealing their engagement in Paris, where Montana had just made his runway debut.

The emerald-cut diamond is loved for its geometric symmetry and vintage sophistication. Unlike round brilliant cuts, an emerald-cut diamond’s long, step-cut facets and open table highlight clarity and symmetry rather than scintillation. It’s a demanding cut that only the most exceptional stones can bear, making it a hallmark of true connoisseurship.

What makes the French Montana–Sheikha Mahra ring so compelling is not just the carat weight, but its embodiment of clarity, precision and refined minimalism — all at the heart of luxury. In today’s market, where buyers seek pieces that whisper rather than shout their value, emerald-cut diamonds shine with quiet confidence.

Montana was previously linked with Khloé Kardashian and Iggy Azalea, while Mahra was previously married to Sheikh Mana bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mana Al Maktoum, with whom she shares a daughter.

Montana and Mahra have yet to announce a wedding date or venue.

Credits: Images via Instagram / xtianna and frenchmontana.