With vacation season in full swing, millions of travelers are packing more than swimsuits and sunscreen. According to Jewelers Mutual Group's 2026 Travel Study, fine jewelry has become an essential part of the travel experience, but taking treasured pieces on the road also dramatically increases the chances of them being lost or stolen.



The study found that 85% of consumers always or sometimes travel with fine jewelry, while 40% purchased jewelry during a trip in the past year. Nearly six in 10 of those shoppers wore their newly acquired jewelry home, often before obtaining an appraisal or insurance coverage.

Unfortunately, travel also creates more opportunities for mishaps. Jewelers Mutual reported that travel-related jewelry losses are 2.5 times more likely to occur while jewelry is being worn than while it's packed. In fact, 61% of travelers were wearing their jewelry when it was lost, while 46% were wearing it when it was stolen.

The research also identified three locations where travelers should exercise extra caution. Thirty percent of travel jewelry losses (and 19% of thefts) occur near water, where sunscreen, cool water and perspiration can cause rings to slip from fingers. Hotels account for 20% of losses and 26% of thefts, while airports are responsible for 13% of losses and 15% of thefts.

"Jewelry loss while traveling is more common than most people expect, and it rarely happens the way they think it will," said Howard Stone, Vice President, Global Asset Protection and Claims at Jewelers Mutual. "The ring left on a poolside table. The necklace worn through a busy airport. These are the moments that matter, and [loss is] entirely preventable with the right habits."

The study also revealed a generational divide. Travelers ages 18 to 34 reported jewelry losses at two to three times the rate of older travelers, likely because younger consumers tend to wear jewelry more frequently and view it as an everyday fashion accessory.

For the many couples who regularly travel with their engagement rings — 87% of respondents said they bring theirs — Jewelers Mutual recommends a few simple precautions: Avoid wearing rings in or around pools, beaches or other bodies of water. When a ring isn't being worn, store it in the hotel's safe rather than leaving it on a bathroom counter or hotel room nightstand.

The insurer also recommends photographing jewelry before departure, carrying pieces only in a carry-on bag (never in checked luggage), using protective travel cases or soft pouches, and making sure valuable jewelry is covered by specialized jewelry insurance.

"What surprises many people after a loss is not that it happened—it's that they thought they were covered," Stone noted. "Standard homeowners and renters policies often fall short on jewelry, particularly for higher-value or one-of-a-kind pieces."

The Jewelers Mutual 2026 Travel Study was conducted in February 2026 via an online survey through Qualtrics. More than 1,500 respondents in the US aged 18+ responsible for making insurance decisions in their households were recruited via an online research panel and surveyed via online self-completion.

Credit: Image by The Jeweler Blog using aichatapp.ai.

Welcome to Music Friday, when we feature songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today’s selection is Jason Derulo’s 2019 release, “Diamonds,” a romantic tribute that cleverly borrows what Ad Age magazine hailed as the greatest advertising slogan of the 20th century to express the enduring value of true love.



In the song, Derulo compares his girlfriend to the world's most coveted gemstone, praising her as “flawless like diamonds” and declaring that, among all the diamonds he's seen, she is the finest. He also reminds listeners that her love is "priceless" before repeating the famous refrain, “Diamonds are forever.” Together, the imagery of flawless diamonds and the legendary slogan underscore the song's central message: genuine love is rare, beautiful and built to last.

Written by Jason Derulo, 1Mind, Rogét Chahayed and Shawn Charles, “Diamonds” appears as the sixth track on Derulo's 2019 EP, 2Sides.

The lyric pays homage to one of advertising's most enduring taglines. In 1947, N.W. Ayer copywriter Mary Frances Gerety coined the phrase “A Diamond Is Forever” for De Beers. By linking a diamond's remarkable durability with everlasting love, the campaign helped transform diamond engagement rings from a luxury purchase into an enduring symbol of commitment. More than 50 years later, in 1999, Advertising Age (now Ad Age) recognized the four-word phrase as the #1 advertising slogan of the 20th century, praising its extraordinary influence on both marketing and popular culture.

Its reach has extended far beyond the jewelry industry. The slogan inspired Ian Fleming's 1956 James Bond novel Diamonds Are Forever, which later became the 1971 Bond film and Shirley Bassey's unforgettable title song. It has also echoed through popular music for decades, influencing artists ranging from Rihanna and Sabrina Carpenter to Jason Derulo. Today, "A Diamond Is Forever" has become part of everyday language, often used to describe anything enduring, timeless or precious.

Born Jason Joel Desrouleaux in Miramar, FL, Derulo first made his mark as a teenage songwriter and producer, crafting songs for artists such as Lil Wayne, Pitbull and Birdman before stepping into the spotlight himself. His breakthrough came in 2009 with the chart-topping hit “Whatcha Say,” launching one of pop music's most successful careers. Since then, Derulo has sold more than 250 million singles worldwide, earned more than 14 platinum singles in the US and amassed 29 billion total streams across all digital platforms.

Now 36, Derulo continues to entertain fans around the globe on The Last Dance World Tour, with performances scheduled across Asia, Europe and Oceania, proving that his career continues to shine brightly.

Please check out the official lyric video of “Diamonds.” The lyrics are also noted below if you’d like to sing along…

“Diamonds”
Written by Jason Derulo, 1Mind, Rogét Chahayed and Shawn Charles. Performed by Jason Derulo.

Flawless like diamonds

Girl you are
Flawless like diamonds
I’m nothing without you
You keep me shinin'
I can’t buy your love; your heart is priceless
Diamonds are forever
So I know you’ll stay this way

Flawless like diamonds
Out of all the ones I’ve seen, you are the finest
I can’t buy your heart; your love is priceless
Diamonds are forever
Diamonds are forever

Got me shining, yeah
Shining, shining, yeah
Girl, you the baddest, yeah (yeah)
Diamonds are forever, diamonds are forever

Baby, baby
I need you daily
The love we makin’ changed me, changed me
‘Cause you remind me of a melody
That kind you keep on singing, singing
My pretty lady
You know you make me
Better, better then I’ve ever been
There’s no mistaking
You should be famous
‘Cause baby, you are

Flawless like diamonds
I’m nothing without you, you keep me shinin' (yeah)
I can’t buy your love; your heart is priceless
Diamonds are forever
So I know you’ll stay this way

Flawless like diamonds
Out of all the ones I’ve seen, you are the finest (yeah)
I can’t buy your heart
Your love is priceless
Diamonds are forever
Diamonds are forever, yeah

Got me shining, yeah
Shining, shining, yeah
Girl, you the baddest, yeah (yeah)
Diamonds are forever
Diamonds are forever

This love is forever
This love is forever, babe
‘Cause you make me better (Ooh-hoo)
Diamonds are forever (Ooh-hoo)
Diamonds are forever, no, no
Woo, oh

Diamonds are forever
Diamonds are forever, babe
No, no
Diamonds are
Oh-oh



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

Few marriage proposals unfold in the middle of a mountain rescue, but that's exactly what happened Saturday on New Hampshire's Mount Kearsarge, where an injured hiker said "yes" as first responders carried her to safety.



On Saturday, 29-year-old Alexis Hardy of Sandown, NH, was ascending the Barlow Trail en route to the 2,937-foot peak with her boyfriend, Tim Dupere, when she suffered a lower-leg injury that made it impossible for her to continue on foot. Shortly before noon, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department was notified that Hardy needed assistance, setting in motion a coordinated rescue involving conservation officers, the Warner Fire Department and Hopkinton Ambulance.

After rescuers reached Hardy, they placed her in a rescue basket to begin the painstaking trek over the mountain. But even with the unexpected turn of events, Dupere wasn't about to let his carefully planned proposal slip away.



As the rescue got underway, he pulled out an engagement ring featuring a large oval-cut diamond in a classic four-prong setting on a simple yellow-gold band and asked Hardy to marry him.

She said, "Yes."

The heartwarming moment drew congratulations from the rescue team, who then continued carrying Hardy to the summit before descending via the steeper Rollins Trail. She was later transported by ambulance to Concord Hospital, where she was treated for her injuries. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department even punctuated its official news release with congratulations to the newly engaged couple.



The ring itself reflects one of today's hottest bridal jewelry trends. Once overshadowed by the traditional round brilliant, the oval-cut diamond has surged in popularity over the past several years and is now one of the most sought-after engagement ring styles.

There are several reasons brides are gravitating toward the elegant elongated shape. Oval diamonds generally appear 10% to 15% larger than round diamonds of the same carat weight because they have a greater visible surface area. Their graceful silhouette also creates the illusion of longer, more slender fingers, while retaining much of the exceptional sparkle associated with the classic round brilliant cut.

The clean, timeless pairing of an oval diamond with a plain yellow-gold band also reflects a growing preference for understated settings that place the spotlight squarely on the center stone.

It's safe to say the proposal didn't unfold quite the way Dupere had imagined when the couple set out on their hike. But despite the unexpected rescue mission and a mountain descent by stretcher, Hardy came away with a memorable engagement story, a beautiful diamond ring and the confidence that her new fiancé will always come through when it matters most.

Credits: Images courtesy of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.

Botswana's remarkable Karowe Diamond Mine has added yet another glistening chapter to its history with the recovery of an astonishing 1,305.4-carat rough diamond — a gem weighing more than half a pound that now ranks as the sixth-largest rough diamond ever unearthed and the fifth-largest ever discovered in Botswana.



The newly recovered white diamond measures an impressive 79.9 millimeters by 34.1 millimeters by 51.9 millimeters and marks the 10th diamond exceeding 1,000 carats recovered by Lucara Diamond Corp. since production began at Karowe in 2012.

With this latest discovery, Karowe further cements its extraordinary reputation. An astonishing 11 of the 13 largest rough diamonds ever found have originated from this single Botswana mine, including the 2,492-carat Motswedi (#2 all time), the 2,036-carat unnamed diamond, the 1,758 carat-Sewelô, the 1,476-carat unnamed diamond, the 1,111-carat Lesedi La Rona, the 1,094-carat Seriti and the 1,080-carat Eva Star.

Only one diamond still towers above them all: the legendary 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond, discovered in 1905 at South Africa's Premier Mine. The giant crystal was eventually cleaved into nine principal polished diamonds and nearly 100 smaller stones. Two of the most famous — Cullinan I, the 530.2-carat Great Star of Africa, and Cullinan II, the 317.4-carat Second Star of Africa — today reside among the British Crown Jewels.

Lucara credits its success to cutting-edge Mega Diamond Recovery (MDR) X-ray Transmission (XRT) technology, which is specifically designed to preserve exceptionally large diamonds.

Unlike older recovery methods that relied on crushing ore into smaller pieces, the XRT system scans rocks traveling on conveyor belts using powerful X-rays. Sophisticated sensors analyze the atomic density of each rock, allowing the system to distinguish carbon-based diamonds from surrounding kimberlite. When a diamond is detected, computerized air jets instantly blast it off the conveyor into a separate collection bin — allowing valuable stones to be recovered intact before they can be damaged.

The technology has revolutionized the recovery of giant diamonds and has been instrumental in nearly all of Karowe's headline-making discoveries.

"The recovery of our 10th diamond exceeding 1,000 carats is another extraordinary milestone for Karowe," said Lucara President and CEO William Lamb, noting that no other diamond mine has consistently produced stones of this magnitude.

The latest diamond was recovered while processing a blend of current open-pit ore and previously stockpiled material, making it impossible to determine exactly where within the orebody it originated.

Karowe's future also looks exceptionally bright. The mine is currently transitioning from an open-pit operation to an underground mine designed to access the highest-value portion of the kimberlite deposit. Underground ore is expected to begin replacing stockpiled material in 2027, with full-scale underground production scheduled for the first half of 2028.

Credit: Image courtesy of Lucara Diamond Corp.

For generations, prospectors cursed pyrite. Nicknamed “fool’s gold” during the great gold rushes of the 19th century, the brassy-yellow mineral tricked countless hopeful miners into believing they had struck it rich — only to discover their glittering prize was worthless.



Now comes an extraordinary twist: Scientists have found that pyrite on the ocean floor near Japan is hiding enormous amounts of real gold.

Researchers studying the seafloor about 350 kilometers (217 miles) south of Tokyo have discovered record-breaking concentrations of what they call “invisible gold” locked inside pyrite at the Higashi-Aogashima Knoll Caldera, an underwater volcanic crater. Their findings, published in Scientific Reports, revealed localized gold concentrations of up to 1.9% within the pyrite — the highest concentration ever measured in this type of seafloor deposit.

Unlike the glittering nuggets that inspire jewelry designs and prospectors' dreams, this gold cannot be seen with the naked eye. Much of it exists as individual atoms embedded within pyrite’s crystal structure or as microscopic nanoparticles so tiny they are detectable only with sophisticated laboratory instruments. Scientists used a technique called secondary-ion mass spectrometry to reveal the hidden treasure.

The discovery also raises an intriguing question: If the gold is there, can it be mined?

That answer remains uncertain. Extracting gold trapped at the atomic level inside pyrite is far more complicated than separating visible gold from rock. Researchers would need to develop entirely new processing methods capable of economically releasing the precious metal from its iron sulfide host.

Even reaching the deposit presents formidable challenges. The hydrothermal field lies about 750 meters (2,460 feet) beneath the Pacific Ocean near active "black smoker" vents that continuously spew superheated, mineral-rich fluids. Designing equipment capable of operating safely in such an extreme environment would be enormously expensive.

Environmental concerns add another layer of complexity. Hydrothermal vent systems support unique and fragile ecosystems populated by specialized marine life found almost nowhere else on Earth. Many marine scientists argue these habitats should be carefully studied — and protected — before any commercial mining is considered.

For now, Japan's remarkable discovery remains less a mining opportunity than a scientific breakthrough. The richest concentration of invisible gold ever found may one day help geologists locate similar deposits around the world. Ironically, the mineral once dismissed as "fool's gold" may prove to be one of Earth's most intriguing hidden treasure chests.

Credit: Photo by Uoaei1, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

More than 2,000 years after it was buried alongside its owner, a remarkable gold ring discovered in western Thailand is shedding new light on the far-reaching trade networks that once connected India and Southeast Asia — and revealing how jewelry served as a powerful symbol of wealth, identity and cultural exchange.



Archaeologists recently uncovered two gold rings at the Don Yai Thong archaeological site in Thailand's Phetchaburi province, about 80 miles southwest of Bangkok. The rings were found along with human remains in what researchers believe was an Iron Age burial ground reserved for high-ranking members of society.

One ring is plain, but the other carries an extraordinary surprise: an inscription in Brahmi, one of ancient India's earliest writing systems and the ancestor of many modern South and Southeast Asian scripts. Experts from Thailand's Fine Arts Department have interpreted the inscription as "pusarakhitasa," meaning "the one protected by Pushya."

In Indian, or Vedic, astrology, Pushya is considered one of the most auspicious zodiac signs, associated with prosperity, protection and success. The inscription suggests the ring's owner likely identified with that revered celestial sign, offering a rare glimpse into the personal beliefs of someone who lived two millennia ago.

Historians believe the jewelry may have belonged to a prosperous traveling merchant from the ancient Indian Vaishya caste, the traditional community associated with trade and commerce. Such an individual may have settled in or regularly traveled through what is now Thailand, carrying not only valuable goods but also language, religious beliefs and cultural traditions across the seas.

The engraved ring provides compelling evidence of the extensive maritime trade routes that linked the Indian subcontinent with Southeast Asia centuries before the rise of modern nations. Along those commercial highways flowed spices, textiles, precious metals and gemstones — as well as ideas, writing systems and astrological traditions that influenced cultures throughout the region.

The discovery's archaeological context is equally fascinating. Since excavations began earlier this year, researchers have uncovered multiple human skeletons, pottery, bronze objects and gold jewelry at Don Yai Thong. Many of the burials followed a consistent ritual, with the deceased laid facing northeast and bronze artifacts placed above their heads. The abundance of precious objects strongly suggests these individuals belonged to society's elite.

The site itself came to light after local residents found fragments of ancient bronze drums in a rice field, prompting a scientific excavation that continues to produce important discoveries.

Researchers plan to create detailed 3D scans of the burial site and send charcoal samples to the US for radiocarbon dating. As studies continue, the tiny gold ring inscribed with an ancient blessing is proving that some of history's most important stories can be told through the smallest of treasures.

Credit: Image courtesy of Thailand's Fine Arts Department.

For this week's Music Friday feature, we're revisiting a 1963 pop classic in which jewelry isn't just an accessory — it's a symbol of dreams, ambition and the sometimes wide gap between fantasy and reality. In "Donna the Prima Donna," rock 'n' roll legend Dion tells the story of a lovestruck working-class boy pursuing a neighborhood girl whose aspirations reach far beyond her modest surroundings.



Donna longs for the glamorous lifestyle of high society, idolizing actress and socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor while adorning herself with charms, diamonds and pearls — even if, as Dion cleverly points out, she buys them "at the 5 and 10 cents store."

Jewelry plays a starring role in defining Donna's character. To her, sparkling accessories represent sophistication, status and the elegant life she dreams of living. But Dion gently reminds listeners that appearances can be deceiving. Despite her glamorous image, Donna remains the girl next door, and the young narrator ultimately realizes that without money to support her extravagant aspirations, "there goes our romance."

Composed by Dion and veteran songwriter Ernie Maresca, "Donna the Prima Donna" became one of Dion's signature solo hits. Released in 1963 as the title track of his album Donna the Prima Donna, the song climbed to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached #17 on Billboard's R&B chart.

Born Dion DiMucci in the Bronx, NY, the future Rock & Roll Hall of Famer developed his musical style while singing doo-wop harmonies on neighborhood street corners and subway platforms. His first professional recording came in 1957 with The Chosen Few under the name Dion and the Timberlanes before he teamed with Carlo Mastrangelo, Fred Milano and Angelo D'Aleo to form Dion and the Belmonts. Their breakthrough hit, "I Wonder Why," launched a career that would later produce enduring classics such as "Runaround Sue," "The Wanderer," "Ruby Baby" and, of course, "Donna the Prima Donna."

Now 86 and celebrating his 87th birthday later this month, Dion continues to perform for enthusiastic audiences while remaining creatively active. In recent years he has released acclaimed new music, collaborated with contemporary artists and published memoirs reflecting on his extraordinary seven-decade journey through American music. His 2026 tour includes appearances throughout the Northeast, proving that one of rock's pioneering voices is still going strong.

More than six decades after its release, "Donna the Prima Donna" continues to charm listeners with its catchy melody, witty lyrics and memorable jewelry references — reminding us that sometimes a few charms, diamonds and pearls can tell an entire story.

We hope you enjoy this clip of Dion performing “Donna the Prima Donna” at NYCB Theatre at Westbury, NY, in 2018. The lyrics are below if you'd like to sing along...

“Donna The Prima Donna”
Written by Dion DiMucci and Ernie Maresca. Performed by Dion.

Donna, Donna the Prima Donna
Donna, Donna the Prima Donna
Donna, Donna the Prima Donna
Donna, Donna the Prima Donna

Donna, Donna the Prima Donna
Donna, Donna the Prima Donna
She broke my heart.

I met a girl a month ago
I thought that she would love me so.
But by the time I realized.
She had a pair of roving eyes.

I remember the nights we dated,
Always acting sophisticated,
Talking about high society,
Then she tried to make a fool out of me.

They call her Donna, Donna the Prima Donna
Broke my heart.
Thinks she’s smart.
We’re apart.

Pretty little girl you’re just having fun
You’re running all around and breaking lover’s hearts.
Pretty little girl, I don’t stand a chance,
Without any money there goes our romance.

She always wears charms, diamonds, pearls galore,
She buys them at the 5 and 10 cents store.
She wants to be just like Zsa Zsa Gabor,
Even though she’s the girl next door.

They call her Donna, Donna the Prima Donna.
She broke my heart.
Thinks she’s smart.
We’re apart.

She broke my heart.

Pretty little girl you’re just having fun,
You’re running all around, you’re breaking lover’s hearts.
Pretty little girl, I don’t stand a chance,
Without any money there goes our romance.

She always wears charms, diamonds, pearls galore,
She buys them at the 5 and 10 cents store.
She wants to be just like Zsa Zsa Gabor,
Even though she’s the girl next door.

Donna, Donna the Prima Donna

She broke my heart.
Thinks she’s smart.

Donna, Donna the Prima Donna
Donna, Donna the Prima Donna
Donna, Donna the Prima Donna
Donna, Donna the Prima Donna



Credit: Screen capture via Youtube / Seekmage.

Most silver coins can fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. Not this one. Weighing 2,500 troy ounces and containing approximately $146,475 worth of .9999 fine silver, the newly certified Guinness World Records holder from Texas Precious Metals and Sunshine Minting transforms a familiar collectible into an engineering marvel worthy of America's Semiquincentennial celebration.



Officially unveiled during a July 1 ceremony in Austin, TX, the record-setting coin measures 18 inches in diameter, is 2.5 inches thick and features a stunning reverse-proof finish that highlights its patriotic design. The obverse displays a heraldic eagle alongside the Liberty Bell, while the reverse showcases the Statue of Liberty's torch-bearing hand above the dates "1776–2026," honoring America's Semiquincentennial. The coin is approximately the size of a large pizza and weighs as much as a front-loading washing machine.

"Setting a Guinness World Records title is an incredible achievement, but what makes this project especially meaningful is what it represents," said Tarek Saab, CEO and co-founder of Texas Precious Metals. "This coin was created to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence, one of the defining moments in our nation's history. We are proud to have partnered with Sunshine Minting to bring this vision to life and demonstrate what can be achieved through American craftsmanship, precision and innovation."

Manufactured at Sunshine Minting's Henderson, NV, facility, the massive coin required extraordinary engineering and precision to strike 171 pounds of pure silver into a flawless legal-tender piece. Presented in a custom display case, the combined weight of the coin and its housing exceeds 200 pounds.

While the new titleholder is the world's heaviest silver coin, it is not the heaviest coin ever made.

The overall heavyweight champion remains Australia's celebrated Kangaroo One Tonne Gold Coin, produced by the Perth Mint in 2011. Crafted from 99.99% pure gold, the colossal coin tips the scales at 2,231 pounds and is valued at well over $100 million based on its gold content.

The heaviest coin intended for circulation was Sweden's famous 1644 10-daler copper plate, a massive rectangular coin that weighed approximately 43 pounds and was once used in everyday commerce.

Following its Guinness certification, the America 250 coin will be permanently housed in Shiner, TX, but collectors and history enthusiasts will have opportunities to see it in person later this year. Texas Precious Metals plans to exhibit the coin at the Governor's Cup Rodeo in Sioux Falls, SD, from September 25-27 and at the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show in Las Vegas from December 3-12.

Credit: Image via Instagram / texmetals.

Few marriage proposals can rival the breathtaking setting of Ivan Kuznetsov's engagement to Angela Nikolau. Perched atop the 1,454-foot spire of New York City's Empire State Building, the daredevil climber dropped to one knee and presented his longtime partner with a sparkling oval-cut diamond engagement ring. Just hours later, the ring would find itself in an NYPD evidence locker.



The proposal unfolded on July 1 after the couple allegedly bypassed security, hid overnight inside the iconic skyscraper and climbed its antenna (think King Kong) without safety harnesses. Before Kuznetsov asked Nikolau to marry him, the pair unfurled a banner reading, "When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace." (The quote is widely attributed to guitarist Jimi Hendrix, but was actually originally spoken by British statesman William Gladstone.)



Photos shared on social media showed the newly engaged climber proudly wearing an elegant oval-cut diamond secured in a classic four-prong setting on a simple white gold band. The timeless design allowed the elongated center stone to take center stage, reflecting one of today's most popular engagement ring styles. Oval diamonds have become a favorite among modern brides because their graceful shape creates the illusion of greater size while offering exceptional brilliance.



Unfortunately for the couple, Nikolau enjoyed her new ring for only a few hours.

After descending from the skyscraper, the pair was arrested by the NYPD and charged with multiple offenses, including burglary, reckless endangerment and criminal trespass. Police confiscated the engagement ring as evidence, leaving the couple to spend their first night as an engaged pair in separate holding cells.

Nikolau and Kuznetsov were released from custody on the morning of Thursday, July 2, following their arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court, where they were granted supervised release while the criminal case proceeds. Photographers noticed Nikolau was no longer wearing her engagement ring, and Kuznetsov later confirmed that the jewelry remained in police custody.

The couple is no stranger to gravity-defying adventures. Known internationally as professional "rooftoppers," they have built enormous social media followings by scaling some of the world's tallest skyscrapers without ropes or safety equipment. Their remarkable relationship and high-altitude exploits were chronicled in the July 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story.

This latest stunt may rank among the most extreme marriage proposals ever attempted, combining romance, risk and a message of peace — more than a quarter-mile above Manhattan.

Credits: Photos via Instagram / angela_nikolau and beerkus.

In the wake of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's high-profile July 3 wedding at Madison Square Garden in New York City — an event many have dubbed the "wedding of the century" — it's worth looking back at the engagement ring that reshaped the bridal jewelry landscape nearly a year earlier.



Long before the couple exchanged vows, Swift's ring had already become one of the most influential pieces of jewelry in recent memory, inspiring what many in the industry now call the "Taylor Effect." From antique-inspired settings to rare Old Mine Cut diamonds, the superstar's ring has dramatically changed what many brides-to-be are seeking when they begin shopping for their own forever ring.



Designed by New York City jeweler Kindred Lubeck of Artifex Fine Jewelry, Swift's engagement ring showcases an estimated 8-to-10-carat Old Mine Cut diamond set in 18-karat yellow gold. Jewelry experts have valued the ring at between $500,000 and $1 million.



Unlike today's precision-cut round brilliants, Old Mine Cut diamonds were fashioned entirely by hand during the 18th and 19th centuries. They typically feature a softly squarish outline, a high crown, a small table, a larger culet and chunky facets that produce a warm, romantic sparkle rather than the razor-sharp brilliance of modern cuts. Because each stone was individually crafted, no two Old Mine diamonds are exactly alike, making them especially appealing to couples looking for a ring with character, history and individuality.

Swift's choice immediately ignited interest in antique and vintage-inspired engagement rings. Jewelers reported surging demand for Old Mine Cut diamonds, along with other historic cuts such as Old European and rose cuts. Consumers also gravitated toward yellow gold settings, hand-engraved details and heirloom-inspired designs that evoke timeless romance instead of contemporary minimalism. For many buyers, antique diamonds also carry the added appeal of sustainability because they are existing gemstones rather than newly mined ones.

Swift's style influence extends well beyond the engagement ring itself. In a report released shortly after the engagement, wedding planning authority The Knot coined the phrase "Swiftification of Weddings" to describe the cultural phenomenon surrounding the couple's romance. The report projected $2.2 billion in incremental global wedding spending over two years, including $1.8 billion in the United States. Bridal jewelry alone was expected to account for an additional $350 million in spending as couples embrace vintage-inspired engagement rings, coordinating wedding bands and other personalized jewelry choices.

The Knot also predicted that Swift's influence would extend across virtually every aspect of wedding planning, from florals and fashion to photography, décor and meaningful storytelling details woven throughout the celebration.

Now that Swift and Kelce have officially tied the knot, the jewelry world has turned its attention to the couple's wedding bands. While reports indicate the newlyweds exchanged rings during the Madison Square Garden ceremony, details about those bands have not yet been made public. Once they are revealed, we will be watching closely to see whether the couple sparks yet another bridal jewelry trend.

Credits: Engagement images via Instagram / taylorswift and killatrav. Madison Square Garden photo by SWinxy, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.