Futer Bros. Blog

Welcome to Music Friday, our weekly spotlight on songs that feature jewelry, gemstones, or precious metals in the lyrics or title. Today, we’re revisiting a witty track by country artist Jason Michael Carroll, who seals a momentous, life-changing event with a half-carat diamond ring in his 2011 single, “Numbers.”



In the song, Carroll takes a lighthearted look at how numbers — from radio frequencies to special dates — seem to surround us every day. While most are meaningless, a select few hold profound importance.

He sings, “Then three years later ‘neath a million stars / In my F-150 on her granddad’s farm / I slipped a half-carat diamond on the third finger of her left hand / And asked to be her one and only man.”

The North Carolina native was instantly drawn to the song when he first heard it.

“It was written by Patrick Davis and Rodney Clawson and it’s about the way certain numbers, like dates and times, can represent some of life’s most significant moments. Moments like your first date, meeting the love of your life and the day your child is born,” he explained. “Most numbers mean absolutely nothing, but some of them, like the date you meet the person you’re going to spend the rest of your life with, mean everything.”

“Numbers” was released in March 2011 as the title track from Carroll’s third studio album. The album charted at #33 on the Billboard US Country Albums list and was sold exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores. It was a fitting distribution channel since Carroll got his start singing in public while working as a Cracker Barrel server in Henderson, NC.

Born in Youngsville, NC, in 1978, Carroll earned his big break at age 26 when he won the “Gimme the Mic” vocal competition hosted by local FOX affiliate WRAZ. That success led to a record deal with Arista Nashville in 2006.

Carroll is currently on tour, with performances scheduled in states across the country, including West Virginia, Florida, Alabama, California, Idaho, Michigan and Indiana.

Be sure to check out the audio track of Carroll performing “Numbers.” And if you’d like to sing along, the full lyrics are below…

“Numbers”
Written by Rodney Clawson and Patrick Davis. Performed by Jason Michael Carroll.

I’m doin’ 72 in a 65,
On I-24 in a four-wheel drive
Got a 10 o’clock on 18th Avenue

And there’s a 30% chance of rain all week
And the high today is gonna be 83
They’re playing Highway 101 on 102.5
An 18 wheeler by my side

Numbers all around, flying by, up and down,
Some as slow as Christmas coming,
Some like the speed of sound,
And we all wonder, what they mean,
The highs, the lows, the in-betweens,
Most of them mean absolutely nothing
But some of them mean everything

I met her at 9:15 on my buddy’s back porch
Shootin’ bottle rockets on July 4th
We were both 19 and she was a perfect 10

Then three years later ‘neath a million stars,
In my F-150 on her granddad’s farm,
I slipped a half-carat diamond on the third finger of her left hand
And asked to be her one and only man

Numbers all around, flying by, up and down,
Some as slow as Christmas coming,
Some like the speed of sound,
And we all wonder, what they mean,
The highs, the lows, the in-betweens,
Most of them mean absolutely nothing
But some of them mean everything

John 3:16, the Fab four,
The 50-yard line, the 13th floor,
9/11, the dirty dozen,
We’re all waiting on the Second Coming

Numbers all around, flying by, up and down,
Some as slow as Christmas coming,
Some like the speed of sound,
And we all wonder, what they mean,
The highs, the lows, the in-betweens,
Why, most of them mean absolutely nothing,
Oh most of them mean absolutely nothing,
But some of them mean everything
Oh numbers

I’m doin’ 72 in a 65,
On I-24 in a four-wheel drive
Got a 10 o’clock on 18th Avenue



Credit: Screen capture via YouTube.com / JiggidyNDG.

This summer marks the 50th anniversary of amethyst being designated as Ontario’s official gemstone — a milestone being celebrated across the province, especially in the Thunder Bay region, where the vivid purple mineral holds both geological and cultural significance.



While many cultures throughout history have attributed mystical origins to amethyst, including the ancient Greeks and early Christian mystics, some First Nations traditions offer a deeply personal and spiritual explanation.

One such story tells of a young girl who became lost in the wilderness while gathering blueberries. As she cried in fear and sorrow, her tears were said to have soaked into the Earth, crystallizing into the purple quartz we now know as amethyst. This origin story imbues the stone with a connection to human emotion, memory and the sacredness of the land — resonating powerfully in a region where nature and spirit are closely intertwined.



Amethyst, a type of quartz, is typically found in hollow rock cavities called vugs, formed within ancient volcanic deposits. Ontario’s deposits — particularly those around Thunder Bay — are believed to be over a billion years old. The crystals grow in stunning hexagonal formations, ranging in color from deep purple to soft lavender and even reddish hues due to inclusions of hematite. Locals have special names for the colors — Precious Purple, Thunder Bay Lavender, Phantom Rove (red) and Black Gem.

On July 8, 1975, amethyst was adopted by the Ontario legislature as the official mineral emblem through the efforts of Minister of Natural Resources Leo Bernier. Bernier, known affectionately as the “Emperor of the North,” believed the mineral should represent the unique natural heritage of Northern Ontario. Though other options, such as sodalite, were considered, amethyst was ultimately selected for its beauty, accessibility and wide distribution across the region.

As part of the 50th-anniversary celebrations, Thunder Bay’s annual Mining Day took on an amethyst theme on June 14, featuring crystal digs, gemstone-themed treats, and educational activities. The nonprofit Mining Matters is also marking the occasion by distributing 50 free Amethyst Kits to young Earth scientists across Canada.

Visitors to Thunder Bay can experience amethyst firsthand at two popular locations. Amethyst Mine Panorama, 60 km east of the city, is Canada’s largest amethyst deposit. Family-owned and operated since the 1960s, the mine offers open-pit digging, self-guided tours, and a gift shop featuring locally crafted jewelry. Diamond Willow Amethyst Mine, located in Pearl, offers similar hands-on experiences, where guests can chisel crystals from vugs and explore the geological history of the area.

For five decades, Ontario’s official mineral has been more than just a gemstone — it’s a symbol of the province’s rich cultural history, spiritual depth and enduring natural beauty. As this anniversary unfolds, amethyst continues to shine brightly in the hearts of those who cherish it.

Credits: Amethyst crystals at the Royal Ontario Museum by David Ceballos from Madrid, España, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Map by Google Maps.

A heartwarming real-life rom-com unfolded at Philadelphia International Airport, where love took off and circled back in a full romantic loop. In late July, on a bustling day at Terminal E, beneath the now-famous “Welcome to Philadelphia” sign, Matthew Brenner got down on one knee and proposed to Lesley Venella with a marquise-cut diamond ring. It was the exact spot where they met by chance more than two years earlier.



Their story began in February 2023, when Brenner, a Northeast Philadelphia native, spotted Venella, a Florida transplant originally from New Jersey, snapping a selfie under the welcome sign. He offered to take it for her and they struck up a conversation.

“We were both waiting for our rides, kind of up against the clock,” Venella told Philadelphia’s CW affiliate WPHL. “We exchanged numbers, and I told him I’d cancel my flight back to Florida if he’d take me out the next day.”

Though both thought their airport encounter might just be a brief flirtation, something clicked. What followed was a whirlwind year and a half of cross-country visits, growing affection and a life-changing decision. Brenner sold his karate business, packed a single suitcase and relocated to Florida to be with Venella.

“When we first met, I thought, ‘She lives in Florida, I live in Philly. This is cute, maybe a fun little fling,’” Brenner recalled to WPHL. “But then as things grew, I was like, ‘Oh, wait. This person’s actually amazing.’”



When it came time to propose, Brenner knew there was only one place it could happen. He returned with Venella to Terminal E, this time not just with butterflies — but with a plan. He even arranged for a custom banner to cover the original sign, reading, “Will you marry me?”



The couple was joined by their parents and, unexpectedly, more than 100 strangers who stopped to witness the touching moment.



“[They] had their phones out—including the airport staff,” Brenner said. “Then there was this thunderous roar. I didn’t expect that. These people actually got a better view than our families.”

The engagement ring appears to feature a marquise-cut diamond flanked by matching marquise side stones on a yellow gold band — an elegant and timeless choice befitting a cinematic love story.

Their story quickly went viral, with the airport posting a video of the proposal and high-profile national media outlets, such as people.com, picking up the tale.

Said PHL in a social post, “You met as strangers in our terminal and now you’re building a life together. We are truly honored that PHL was the starting point for your love story.”

For Venella and Brenner, the baggage claim at Terminal E in Philly didn’t just deliver luggage — it delivered destiny.

Credits: Screen captures via Instagram / blackbeltbrenner1.

For centuries, one of the world's most dazzling gemstones lived in disguise. Mistaken for ruby and featured in some of the most famous crown jewels, spinel earned its nickname as “the great impostor” of gemstone history. But in 2016, this radiant gem stepped out of ruby’s shadow to become an official birthstone for the month of August, joining the yellow-green peridot and zebra-striped sardonyx.



Spinel’s rise to official birthstone status was a rare event. Since the modern birthstone list was first established in 1912 by the American National Retail Jewelers Association (now Jewelers of America), the list had only been amended a few times. So when the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) and Jewelers of America announced spinel’s inclusion, it was met with excitement — and some surprise — throughout the jewelry world.

Long prized for its vibrant red hues, spinel was often indistinguishable from ruby until the late 18th century. The two share similar colors, due to the presence of chromium in their chemical makeup. However, spinel is composed of magnesium aluminum oxide, while ruby is a variety of corundum made from aluminum oxide. It wasn’t until 1783 that mineralogists formally recognized spinel as a mineral distinct from corundum.



By then, many legendary “rubies” had already found their way into royal collections. Among the most famous are the 170-carat Black Prince’s Ruby in the British Imperial State Crown, the 361-carat Timur Ruby presented to Queen Victoria in 1851, and the 398-carat gem atop the Imperial Crown of Russia. Each was later confirmed to be a red spinel.

While spinel is best known in rich reds, this versatile gem occurs in a rainbow of colors, from soft pinks and purples to fiery oranges and steely blues. In its purest form, spinel is colorless, but trace elements give rise to its kaleidoscopic variety. Blue spinels are colored by iron and cobalt, while vibrant reds are chromium-rich.



Spinel’s durability also makes it a standout gemstone for jewelry. Ranking 8.0 on the Mohs hardness scale, it is a resilient choice for everyday wear. Ruby, by comparison, rates a 9 on the hardness scale.

Today, spinel is mined in locations around the world, including Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Tanzania, Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Myanmar (formerly Burma) is known for producing some of the finest pink and red spinels on the market.

Once an overlooked understudy to ruby, spinel is now getting its well-deserved moment in the spotlight — especially for those celebrating August birthdays with a gem as bold and colorful as they are.

Credits: 40.25-carat Tajikistan spinel photo by Greg Polley/Smithsonian. British Imperial State Crown by Cyril James Humphries Davenport, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Spinel crystals by Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

A remarkable discovery at a Roman archaeological site in northwestern Spain is offering new insights into the aesthetic tastes, spiritual beliefs and long-distance trade practices of the ancient Romans. At the settlement of A Cibdá de Armea, archaeologists unearthed a 450-million-year-old trilobite fossil — an extinct marine arthropod — that appears to have been intentionally modified for use as jewelry between the 1st and 3rd centuries CE.



This find is historic on several fronts: It is the first confirmed instance of a trilobite fossil used as personal adornment in the Roman world and only the third known example of such usage by any ancient human population. Measuring just under 4 centimeters (about 1.5 inches), the fossil shows seven artificial wear facets on its underside — flattened areas likely created to help the piece lie flush when mounted in a bracelet or pendant. Researchers believe it may have been encased in gold, silver or leather.



Its striking reddish hue, caused by mineralization in iron oxide, helped researchers trace its origin to the Tristani Beds in the southern Central Iberian Zone, which is about 430 kilometers (267 miles) from the site. That such a small item was transported over such a vast distance suggests it held considerable value, not just as an ornament but as a symbol imbued with magical or protective powers.



According to the study, which was published in Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, the fossil was discovered alongside a bronze coin of Emperor Augustus, Rome’s first emperor, who ruled from 27 BCE to 14 CE. Roman historian Suetonius wrote that Augustus was fascinated by fossils. The emperor reportedly excavated them personally on the island of Capri and exhibited them in what may have been the ancient world’s first paleontological museum at his villa. His collection included what he believed were the bones of giants and mythical creatures — likely the fossils we now recognize as prehistoric remains.

The Armea trilobite offers a rare look at how the ancient Romans incorporated prehistoric objects into daily life and spiritual practice. Fossils in Roman culture were not merely geological curiosities; they were seen as talismans from a primordial world, with the power to protect or bring luck to their owners. The segmented form of the trilobite may even have inspired Roman jewelry designs in jet or black glass known as Trilobitenperlen.

Credits: Jewelry illustration courtesy of A. Fernández-Fernández et al., Archaeol Anthropol Sci (2025). AI-generated image of ancient Romans wearing trilobite jewelry by The Jeweler Blog using ChatGPT and DALL-E 3. Trilobite illustration by Віщун, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Welcome to Music Friday when we highlight new tunes with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. In her 2025 pop single “Gold’s Gone,” 15-year-old British singer-songwriter Freya Skye delivers a poignant meditation on the passage of time and the bittersweet ache of growing up.



With the recurring lyric “running till the gold’s gone,” Skye uses gold as a shimmering metaphor for life’s most cherished moments — childhood memories, innocent joys and the feeling of time suspended.

The song opens in a nostalgic haze, as Skye recounts scenes of basement board games and swapping bracelets in the back of a car. But that dreamy simplicity soon gives way to emotional urgency. “I just wanna hold on / I’m scared of losing the moment,” she sings, echoing a universal truth — that even as we’re living in the present, we’re already mourning its passing.

The phrase “running till the gold’s gone” becomes a central motif, symbolizing the desire to outrun change and cling to what feels golden and safe. Freya captures the moment when adolescence turns the corner into something more complex and uncertain.

As the seasons shift, so does her self-image. She sings, “my heart is still the same, but in the mirror things have changed.” The gold, in this context, is not just youth, but the clarity, security and wonder that come with it.

Rising rapidly in both the music and entertainment worlds, Skye made her international debut representing the UK at Junior Eurovision 2022 with “Lose My Head,” earning the top public vote and a fifth-place finish overall.

Since then, she’s signed with Hollywood Records and Disney Music Publishing, starred as Nova in Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires and joined the upcoming "Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide" arena tour.

With a voice that’s both powerful and intimate, and lyrics that resonate well beyond her years, Skye is quickly emerging as one of pop’s most promising young voices. “Gold’s Gone” captures the essence of her artistry — honest, reflective and deeply relatable.

Please check out the official video of Skye performing "Gold's Gone." The lyrics are below if you'd like to sing along…

"Gold's Gone"
Written by Michelle Zarlenga, Annie Schindel and Lucky West. Performed by Freya Skye.

Back of your mom’s car trading bracelets
Playing board games in the basement
I could swear that it was simple, all my problems felt so little
What a daydream

If I could slow it down
Would my feet touch the ground?

I just wanna hold on
I’m scared of losing the moment
Running til the gold’s gone
The seasons change and I know it
I feel the time is slipping
And I already miss it
While I’m
Still holding light in my hands

I just wanna hold on, hold on
Running till the gold’s gone, gold’s gone

Out on the edge of on my own now
And they told me not to look down
And my heart is still the same
But in the mirror things have changed
How’d it happen?
It threw me off of my balance

I just wanna hold on
I’m scared of losing the moment
Running till the gold’s gone
The seasons change and I know it
I feel the time is slipping
And I already miss it
While I’m
Still holding light in my hands

I just wanna hold on, hold on
Running till the gold’s gone, gold’s gone

And I won’t be sleeping tonight
Oh my head’s too busy
Guess this is being alive
Tell myself to breathe
I know there’s silver linings
So I’ll hold on
Until the gold’s gone, gone

I just wanna hold on
I’m scared of losing the moment
Running til the gold’s gone
The seasons change and I know it
I feel the time is slipping
And I already miss it
While I’m
Still holding light in my hands

I just wanna hold on, hold on
Running till the gold’s gone, gold’s gone



Credits: Screen capture via YouTube.com / Freya Skye.

In Hellenistic Egypt more than 2,000 years ago, alchemists began their fabled quest to turn mercury into gold. Today, a California-based startup believes it may have finally cracked the code — using the power of nuclear fusion.



Marathon Fusion, a company developing next-generation fusion technology, has outlined a bold plan to create gold as a byproduct of clean energy generation. According to a newly released (and yet-to-be peer-reviewed) study, their reactor design could transmute mercury-198 — an abundant isotope — into gold-197, the stable form of the precious metal. (Gold and mercury happen to be next-door neighbors on the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements.)

The process takes place inside a tokamak fusion reactor, where ultra-hot plasma fuses hydrogen atoms to release vast amounts of energy. Typically, reactors are lined with lithium in what’s called a breeding blanket, designed to help generate tritium fuel.

But Marathon’s twist? Replace part of that blanket with a mercury-lithium alloy, which not only supports fusion fuel production but also absorbs high-energy neutrons. Those neutrons trigger a chain reaction that converts mercury-198 into unstable mercury-197, which decays into gold-197 within days.

In simulations, Marathon estimated that one gigawatt of fusion electricity could yield as much as 5,000 kilograms of gold. At today’s gold prices, that’s more than half a billion dollars in byproduct revenue, potentially doubling the economic viability of fusion plants.

There’s a catch, however: Freshly created gold atoms might carry trace radioactivity, requiring up to 18 years of “cooling time” before being deemed safe for commercial use. Still, the company argues that much of the world's gold sits in storage anyway, and delayed access won’t hinder its value in the long run.

Though still in the simulation phase, this proposal has captured the imagination of scientists and investors alike. If successful, it could reshape both the energy and precious metal industries of the future — replacing gold mines with clean fusion facilities, and turning modern science into the ultimate alchemy.

Credit: AI-generated image by The Jeweler Blog using ChatGPT and DALL-E 3.

NBA All-Star Tyrese Haliburton may have missed out on a championship ring this past season, but he made up for it with an unforgettable piece of jewelry — an oval-shaped diamond engagement ring for his longtime girlfriend, Jade Jones.



Just five weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a torn Achilles, the Indiana Pacers point guard proposed to his college sweetheart at the Hilton Coliseum, the basketball arena at Iowa State University where their love story began. The couple has been together since 2019, when Haliburton played for the Cyclones and Jones cheered on the sidelines.



Haliburton went all out for the moment, adorning the gym with glowing “WILL YOU MARRY ME” letters, red rose petals and floating candles before gingerly getting down on one knee.

A clunky medical boot and a mobility scooter can be seen in photos shared to Haliburton's Instagram page. The clutch player was a leading candidate for the NBA Finals MVP, but suffered a devastating torn Achilles in the first quarter of Game 7 against the Oklahoma Thunder.



Jones’s new 18-karat yellow gold engagement ring features a large oval-cut center diamond, flanked by smaller diamonds on the band and a hidden halo for added brilliance. The modern-meets-classic design has become a favorite among celebrity brides-to-be. The elongated oval shape flatters the finger, while its brilliance offers a high-carat look without overwhelming the hand.

Eagle-eyed fans noticed Jones was wearing a silicone ring adjuster in one closeup engagement photo posted to Instagram. The coil-style adjuster temporarily shrinks the band’s interior diameter and is often used when a ring needs resizing — something we suspect will happen once the excitement dies down.



Oval-shaped diamond rings are having a moment in Hollywood and with the general public. A recent study by The Knot revealed that, while round is still the most popular shape for a center stone (34%), the oval shape (preferred by 23%) has been trending up.

Despite his injury setback, Haliburton remains optimistic about the future, stating on Instagram, “Watch how I come back from this.”

And while he’ll sit out the 2025–2026 NBA season to recover, he and Jones will have plenty of time to plan a wedding.

Credits: Images via Instagram / Tyrese Haliburton.

Welcome to Music Friday, when we spotlight songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today we revisit Vince Gill’s heartfelt 2016 ballad, “Like My Daddy Did,” a track that blends emotional storytelling with a sparkling symbol of commitment — a pretty diamond ring.



As Gill celebrates his 50th anniversary tour this summer — marking five decades since he first set out to become a professional musician — it’s the perfect moment to revisit a song that reflects his enduring artistry and deep emotional resonance. In “Like My Daddy Did,” Gill plays the part of a devoted suitor who proposes to the love of his life despite her painful childhood memories.

With his signature tenderness, he sings, “I found a little girl and I fell in love / She shines brighter than the stars above / I bought her a pretty diamond ring / Asked her if she would marry me.”

But the proposal is met with uncertainty. The woman is wary of love, carrying emotional scars from her father’s abandonment.

“Will you treat me like my daddy did?” she asks.

Her father walked out on her and her mother when she was just a child, leaving behind heartbreak and mistrust. Instead of recoiling, Gill’s character responds with understanding and grace. He gently contrasts her experience with his own, offering a reassuring vision of love modeled after his father — a man who was present, supportive and loving.

“I’ll treat you just like my daddy did / He took me fishin’ when I was a kid / When I played ball, he never missed a game,” Gill sings. “There ain’t no scars on this heart of mine.”

The song’s emotional core lies in this contrast — the “yin and yang” of two childhoods, as Gill described it. His character’s persistence and empathy eventually win her over, and the song concludes with a wedding and the hopeful promise of a new beginning: “Together we’re gonna build a bridge / No, I won’t treat ya like your daddy did.”

“Like My Daddy Did” was the fourth track on Down to My Last Bad Habit, Gill’s 14th studio album. With a career spanning 50 years, 22 Grammy Awards, 18 CMA Awards and more than 30 million albums sold, Gill remains one of country music’s most respected voices.

Born in Norman, Oklahoma, in 1957, Gill credits his own father — a part-time musician and full-time judge — with nurturing his passion for music. That influence shines brightly in this deeply personal song.

As Gill embarks on his 50th anniversary tour — which includes a four-night residency at Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium — fans can expect a celebration not only of his storied career but of the heartfelt storytelling that has made him a legend.

Please check out the video of Gill performing the acoustic version of “Like My Daddy Did.” The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…

“Like My Daddy Did”
Written and performed by Vince Gill.

I found a little girl and I fell in love
She shines brighter than the stars above
I bought her a pretty diamond ring
Asked her if she would marry me

She said, will you treat me like my daddy did
Left me and momma, I was just a kid
He took off runnin’, I never saw his face again
So, when it comes to love, I ain’t the trustin’ kind
There’s a whole lotta scars on this heart of mine
I’m crazy about ya, I’m not sure I can

I took that pretty girl by the hand
I looked her in her eyes and said I understand
There’s nothing you could tell me that would change a thing
I still want you to wear my ring

I’ll treat you just like my daddy did
He took me fishin’ when I was a kid
When I played ball, he never missed a game
So, when it comes to love, I’m the trusting kind
There ain’t no scars on this heart of mine
I’m crazy about ya, I’m pretty sure I can

Tomorrow morning is our wedding day
And all your fears are gonna fade away
Together we’re gonna build a bridge
No, I won’t treat ya like your daddy did
We’ll have the kind of love that’s the trustin' kind
I’ll give you ever piece of this heart of mine
We were meant to be, I’m pretty sure we can

I found a little girl and I fell in love
She shines brighter than the stars above



Credit: Photo by Derek Russell, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

For the first time in Olympic history, the Winter Games will be co-hosted by two cities— Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo — an unprecedented collaboration beautifully reflected in the newly unveiled medals for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.



The medals feature a striking design of two interlocking halves, a bold metaphor for unity — not just between the urban sophistication of Milan and the alpine serenity of Cortina, but also between the athletes and the people who support them. The textured and smooth surfaces on either half symbolize this blend of contrast and cooperation: city and mountain, competitor and coach, Paralympic and Olympic values.



Developed by the design team of Milano Cortina 2026, the medals celebrate Italian creativity, elegance and sustainability. Raffaella Paniè, Brand and Identity Director for the Games, described the medals as a “return to essence,” highlighting strength in diversity and the universal story of struggle, support and triumph.

Each medal is handcrafted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS), Italy’s state mint, using recycled metals from its own production stream and powered entirely by renewable energy. The medals are protected with an eco-friendly, recyclable finish and come in FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified packaging.

Technically, the medals are impressive in their simplicity and symbolism. Measuring 80mm in diameter and 10mm thick, the gold medal weighs 506 grams (1.12 pounds) and consists of 99.9% silver coated in 6 grams of pure gold. The silver medal is made entirely of 99.9% silver and weighs 500 grams, while the bronze medal, made of copper, comes in at 420 grams.

A total of 735 medals — 245 of each type — will be awarded during 195 events at the Olympic Winter Games, scheduled for February 6–22, 2026. An additional 411 medals will be presented during the Paralympic Games, which follow from March 6–16.

The split design resonates far beyond geography. It reflects the journey of every athlete, supported by teammates, families and fans, each one forging their own half of a story that’s only complete when joined by those who stood behind them.

“These medals are much more than mere awards,” said Giovanni Malagò, President of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation. “They are the heartbeat of Italy... the reflection of a dream taking shape.”

Credits: Images courtesy of Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026.