gems

The Koh-i-noor diamond, set in the Maltese Cross at the front of the crown made for Britain's late Queen Mother Elizabeth, is seen on her coffin at London's Westminster Hall. Camilla, the queen consort, will not use the Koh-i-noor diamond in her coronation crown, but will modify Queen Mary's crown, using diamonds from Queen Elizabeth II's personal collection.

World News

Why the Koh-i-noor diamond won't make an appearance at King Charles III's coronation

3:13pm May 04, 2023

by Lauren Frayer

The royal family has decided to leave the 105-carat gem out of this weekend's coronation ceremony. The Koh-i-noor has become a focus of anti-colonial anger. India wants it back.

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Rocks retrieved from a mine in Muzo, Colombia, show some of what makes the country the biggest producer of high-value emeralds.

World News

Inside the emerald mines that make Colombia a global giant of the green gem

9:54am March 11, 2023

by John Otis

NPR ventures into a Colombian emerald mine — which used to be more dangerous, with potential explosions inside and gunfights outside. The CEO, a former U.S. diplomat, says he wanted to change that.

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Dan Newman, left, the founder of Alaska Premier Auctions and Appraisals, and Nick Cline, a business partner, pose Friday in Anchorage with the "Americus Australis," thought to be one the largest gem-quality opals in existence.

National

Alaska auction to feature brick-sized opal that has been stashed away for years

10:01pm February 18, 2022

by The Associated Press

The "Americus Australis" gem weighs more than 11,800 carats and is one of the largest gem-quality opals in existence. It also has a long history.