IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Co-Founder ‘Mama Ann’ Bailey Dies at 100Raised in an orphanage, Bailey was 18 when she met her husband, Clyde. They opened their North Carolina jewelry store in 1948.
TrendsJun 14, 2016
5 Fun Facts about the Broncos’ Super Bowl Bling
We’ll understand if fans of the Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers skip this story.
The fact that the Denver Broncos won a milestone Super Bowl in No. 50 figured prominently in the design of the team’s championship rings, Jostens’ Chris Poitras said.
Denver--Super Bowl 50 winners the Denver Broncos received their championship rings at a private team ceremony held Sunday night on their home turf, Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
The Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers 24 to 10 back in February to become world champions, and earned themselves the right to a ring set with 212 round, tapered and marquise-shaped diamonds totaling more than 5.05 carats.
Like so many Super Bowl rings before, the oversized knuckle-duster was created by Minneapolis-based Jostens, which has made the rings for all but 18 of the NFL’s 50 Super Bowl winners.
On Monday, National Jeweler had the chance to catch up with Chris Poitras, the vice president of Jostens’ sports and college division, who shared a few facts about the Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 bling.
1. There’s a laboratory-grown stone in the ring.
In Jostens’ official press release, the company noted that the Broncos’ dashing horse head logo is framed by a “custom-cut corundum blue stone,” which Poitras said is lab-grown.
The man-made, custom-cut corundum was created specifically for the ring in order to get the color of the stone, along with the curves and angles of the horse’s head, to match the Broncos’ official NFL-licensed logo exactly.
2. The ring is comprised of 13 individual pieces.
This includes the NFL logo on one side, the three Lombardi trophies on the top of the ring and the multiple pieces that comprise the horse logo on top of the ring, which has an orange sapphire-set mane and eye.
3. This is the 32nd time Jostens has been chosen to create the rings for the Super Bowl-winning team.
Poitras noted it was a special honor for Jostens to win the Super Bowl 50 ring bid because they made the rings for the winner of Super Bowl I back in 1967.
The Green Bay Packers beat the Kansas City Chiefs by a score of 35 to 10 in that game to win what would later come to be known as the Super Bowl.
The horse head logo on top of Denver’s Super Bowl ring is set with diamond-cut orange sapphires and outlined by lab-grown blue corundum. The three diamond Lombardi trophies mark the number of times Denver won the Super Bowl.
Inscribed inside is the date Denver won the big game, Feb. 7, 2016, as well as the logos of the opponents they defeated along the way and the scores of those games.
The Broncos dedicated their Super Bowl 50 victory, and their rings, to owner Pat Bowlen, who is battling Alzheimer’s disease.
The Broncos players get their name and jersey number on one side of the ring. The eight diamonds on the crown represent each of the team’s AFC championships, and the three gold rings on the crown each of their Super Bowl victories.
4. The ring is 10-karat white and yellow gold.
This very hard alloy is used for a very good reason.
To begin with, the individuals who wear these rings--mainly, huge football players--tend to be hard on their jewelry, so the rings need to be solid as possible. Poitras said every Super Bowl ring Jostens makes has a lifetime warranty.
In addition, it is enormous. On average, a championship ring is made up
of 93 grams of gold, compared to the two to four grams used in the average engagement ring.
5. The number of diamonds means something.
As with most championship rings, the number of precious stones correlates to the team’s history.
On the Broncos’ ring, above the player’s name on one side and “This one’s for Pat” on the other, there are a total of 56 diamonds. This is equal to the number of years the Broncos have been a team.
Encircling the ring are a total of 30 diamonds: 15 on the north side for Denver’s 15 division titles and 15 on the south side to mark the number of games they won, including the two playoff games and the big game itself. (Denver’s regular-season record was 12-4.)
On the side with the player’s name and number, there is a crown studded with eight diamonds, one for each of the AFC championships the team has brought home. Only two other teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots, have won as many AFC championships.
This means that Denver has been to a total of eight Super Bowls, of which they’ve won three--as evidenced by the three Lombardi trophies on the top of the ring and the three gold bars on the crown--and lost five.
“For us at Jostens, it’s about, ‘how do we tell the story of the Broncos’ season on a piece of jewelry?’” Poitras said.
More on Trends
The Latest
ColumnistsFeb 19, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Material Good Opens Third Location Material Good is celebrating its 10th anniversary as it opens its new store in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
Events & AwardsFeb 19, 2026
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show Returns in MarchThe show will be held March 26-30 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Weekly QuizFeb 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Head to AuctionThe estate of the model, philanthropist, and ex-wife of Johnny Carson has signed statement jewels up for sale at John Moran Auctioneers.
PodcastsFeb 18, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
MajorsFeb 18, 2026
Select Jewelry Inks Agreement to Distribute Lightweight Gold JewelryIt will lead distribution in North America for Graziella Braccialini's new gold pieces, which it said are 50 percent lighter.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Looks for Executive DirectorThe organization is seeking a new executive director to lead it into its next phase of strategic growth and industry influence.
Events & AwardsFeb 18, 2026
DCA to Host Gemstone Selling Education Session at IJO EventThe nonprofit will present a live, two-hour introductory course on building confidence when selling colored gemstones.
SourcingFeb 17, 2026
Colored Gemstone Experts Talk Tariffs, Trends in TucsonAlthough the market is robust, tariffs and precious metal prices are impacting the industry, Stuart Robertson and Brecken Branstrator said.
GradingFeb 17, 2026
Dr. George Rossman, Former GIA Governor, Dies at 81Rossman, who advised GIA for more than 50 years, is remembered for his passion and dedication to the field of gemology.
CrimeFeb 13, 2026
JSA Offering $10K Reward in Nancy Guthrie Case Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted just as the Tucson gem shows were starting.
IndependentsFeb 13, 2026
97-Year-Old New Mexico Jewelry Store To CloseButterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2026
A ‘Rosebud’ Necklace for Valentine’s DayPaul Morelli’s “Rosebud” necklace, our Piece of the Week, uses 18-karat rose, green, and white gold to turn the symbol of love into jewelry.
MajorsFeb 13, 2026
JFC Announces New BeneficiariesThe nonprofit has welcomed four new grantees for 2026.
MajorsFeb 12, 2026
These 8 Saks Fifth Avenue Stores Are ClosingParent company Saks Global is also closing nearly all Saks Off 5th locations, a Neiman Marcus store, and 14 personal styling suites.
CollectionsFeb 12, 2026
British Museum Raises $5M to Keep Jewel Linked to Henry VIII, Katherine of AragonIt is believed the 24-karat heart-shaped enameled pendant was made for an event marking the betrothal of Princess Mary in 1518.
SourcingFeb 12, 2026
‘Cotton Candy’ Necklace, 35-Carat Kunzite Win 2025 ‘Buyer’s Choice’ AwardsThe AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge “Buyer’s Choice” award winners were announced at the Spectrum Awards Gala last week.
Events & AwardsFeb 12, 2026
Kering Opens Entries for 2026 Sustainability-Focused AwardThe “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” returns for its second year with “Second Chance, First Choice” as its theme.
MajorsFeb 11, 2026
Francesca’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.
CollectionsFeb 11, 2026
Zales Turns Sweethearts Into Jewelry for Valentine’s Day CollectionThe “Zales x Sweethearts” collection features three mystery heart charms engraved with classic sayings seen on the Valentine’s Day candies.
TechnologyFeb 11, 2026
Gemvision Symposium 2026 Slated for AprilThe event will include panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations of new digital manufacturing tools, and a jewelry design contest.
Events & AwardsFeb 11, 2026
TJS Announces Roundtable, Launches New AppRegistration is now open for The Jewelry Symposium, set to take place in Detroit from May 16-19.
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
At Meeting in South Africa, Support for Natural Diamonds Picks Up Steam Namibia has formally signed the Luanda Accord, while two key industry organizations pledged to join the Natural Diamond Council.
TrendsFeb 10, 2026
Bad Bunny Wears Football-Shaped ‘Desert Diamond’ for Halftime PerformanceLady Gaga, Cardi B, and Karol G also went with diamond jewelry for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show honoring Puerto Rico.
