Would You Buy Your Diamond Engagement Ring at Walmart?

Would You Buy Your Diamond Engagement Ring at Walmart?

Do you care where a diamond comes from? Historically, consumers didn’t have a choice. Natural diamonds were formed billions of years ago, deep beneath the earth’s surface, and were then thrust hundreds of kilometers to its crust by volcanic eruptions before eventually being extracted from mines in South Africa, Russia …

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Artisans in Japan Uphold the Indigenous Ainu Culture

Artisans in Japan Uphold the Indigenous Ainu Culture

At the entrance to Akan-Mashu National Park, known for its lakes and bubbling mud pools, red torii gates stood out against the white snow that had blanketed this part of eastern Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost main island. On a park path, I suddenly saw a Yezo sika deer, with its spotted …

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Craftsmanship Becomes a Focus of Jeweled Watches

Craftsmanship Becomes a Focus of Jeweled Watches

Jeweled timepieces typically dazzle with sparkling gemstones set on glittering surfaces. But some brands now are prioritizing artisanal collaborations — so their jeweled watches showcase not just extravagant stones but also the craftsmanship behind the creations. The fusion of diverse skills and materials has been driving the fabrication of intricate …

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How French Crown Jewels Ended Up in New Jersey

How French Crown Jewels Ended Up in New Jersey

Hidden away in a nondescript building in Parsippany, N.J., are four dazzling remnants of the crown jewels of France. They are safeguarded there by their owner, Tiffany & Company. The jewelry emporium bought the diamond-filled works of art through an improbable chain of events, beginning with a grand public auction …

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