Milk in metal
A group of artists have demonstrated a new technique allowing nursing mothers to turn their breast milk into wearable jewellery.
According to a report on Telegraph.co.uk, French design collective Duende has created the range by boiling human milk and vinegar.
The process causes the casein protein in the milk to harden into a plastic, which can then be painted and moulded into any shape desired.
Entitled Perle de Lait (milk pearl), the collection will go on display at an exhibition exploring the sharing of food between mother and child this September. The show will comprise milk-made jewellery and other ornaments.
A milk model of a baby's head which can be used as a pendant for a necklace, and a combined milk-metal bracelet are among the objects already created. Other exhibits will include dishes for storing - and eating - a human placenta.
Although the new technique has not been trialled commercially, the Duende collective hopes that one day, all mothers will be able to send their milk to a laboratory to obtain a permanent souvenir of their pregnancy.
Sweet surprise
A Chinese woman almost foiled her boyfriend's plan to propose by accidentally eating the ring.
According to a report in The China Daily, the man had hidden the engagement ring inside a cake and presented it to his girlfriend.
Completely oblivious, she swallowed the rock, fainted and was rushed to hospital where doctors extracted the ring. The proposal has since been accepted.
Tequila diamonds
Mexican scientists have devised a new method for manufacturing synthetic diamonds - using tequila.
According to a report in The Times of India, researchers at the University of Nueva Leon, Mexico, found that the drink produces crystal diamond structures - conducive of electricity - when heated.
The crystals have previously been made from other chemicals but this is reportedly the first time researchers have proven that alcohol can be used to produce a synthetic diamond.
Researchers used 80 proof "tequila blanco" for the experiment.
Ancient workshop uncovered
Archaeologists in Nicosia, Cyprus have uncovered what they believe to be an ancient jewellery workshop at a 5,000-year old settlement.
According to a report in Thaindian News, a dense concentration in the west ridge of the cliff-top settlement of the mineral picrolite, indicates that the spot was a workshop for the production of the cruciform figurines and large pendants.
The archaeological site bore a multitude of tool marks, according to researchers.
Lindsay Lohan leans left?
Actor Lindsay Lohan's girlfriend has reportedly purchased a $US22,000 Cartier diamond ring for her beloved's 22nd birthday.
DJ Samantha Ronson's gift - which some have labelled a "commitment ring" - has led to more speculation as to whether or not the pair are involved romantically.
Lohan is yet to confirm or deny any of the rumours.
Little girl finds ring
A six-year-old girl has helped re-unite a newly-wed woman with her missing engagement ring after the child retrieved it from a car park.
According to a report in The Benton Courier, US resident Haley Reep Wagnon lost the 1.26-carat diamond ring valued at $US9,000 in a Wal-Mart parking lot.
When she reported it missing, police reviewed Wal-Mart's surveillance videos and saw that a child picked up the ring.
Wagnon was astounded when she received the ring back.
Wal-Mart goes green
US retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has launched an eco-friendly fine-jewellery collection.
Comprised of 100 per cent traceable gold and silver, "mined and manufactured according to top industry standards", Love, Earth, Jewelry is Wal-Mart's first step toward having all the gold, silver and diamonds used in its jewellery come from mines and manufacturers that meet the retailer's sustainability standards.
Pushing silver
A US-based promotion body has announced plans for a marketing campaign to promote silver jewellery.
According to a report in National Jeweler, the Silver Institute will launch
The Silver Marketing Initiative (SMI), designed to educate consumers, trade and press on the metal, provide marketing information and product news.
"The consensus of our executive committee is that the time is right to introduce an industry-supported marketing program in the US, with the initial focus being on silver jewellery," said Silver Institute executive director Michael DiRienzo in a media release.
Over the rainbow
A US jeweller is marketing a line of multi-coloured sapphire jewellery and wedding rings to gay couples.
Capitalising on the California Supreme Court's landmark ruling in May to allow same-sex marriage, the boutique store Libertine, Indian Wells, reported an influx of sales of the rainbow range in the weeks following the court ruling.
A UCLA study released in June estimated same-sex weddings would boost California's economy by more than $US680 million during the next three years. It estimated about half of the state's 102,600 gay couples would marry.
Fishy jewellery
The latest trend among some Chinese girls is jewellery containing live fish.
According to a report on Topnews.in, teenage girls in China's Chengdu have dismayed marine biologists by sporting the plastic pendants around their necks and on their bags.
But the jewellery only has a short lifespan - vendors claim the fish can live up to three months in the sealed containers, which also contain water, fish food and two oxygen balls.
After this, the live jewels can be released in ponds or tanks.