AuctionsJun 12, 2026
16th-Century ‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Going Up for Auction in LondonFound by a metal detectorist, the ring likely belonged to a wealthy, possibly royal, owner, said Noonans.
MajorsOct 14, 2016
5 Fun Facts about the Penguins’ Stanley Cup Rings
Fans of the San Jose Sharks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals and New York Rangers can skip this story.
Crafted in 14-karat gold and set with yellow and white diamonds, the Stanley Cup rings given to the Pittsburgh Penguins have each players’ name and number on one shank. On the other are four diamond-set Stanley cups, representing the team’s four NHL championships.
Pittsburgh—Members of one of Pittsburgh’s three beloved black-and-gold teams received their championship rings at a private ceremony held earlier this week in the Steel City.
Players, coaches and staff of the Pittsburgh Penguins gathered at the city’s Heinz History Center Tuesday to collect the diamond and gold rings made for them by Jostens, the Minneapolis-based company best known for making class and championship rings.
The Penguins won the NHL championship back in June, when they defeated the San Jose Sharks 3 to 1 in Game Six of the Stanley Cup Final.
Now, they have a ring to go with what is the club’s fourth Cup.
Jostens’ Chris Poitras, who talked with National Jeweler about the Denver Broncos Super Bowl rings earlier this year, divulged a few fun facts about the rings his company just made for the ‘Guins.
1. Yellow gold was used, again. The mixed-metals trend apparently has found its way into the wide world of sports.
Poitras, who is the vice president of Jostens’ sports and college division, said after years of making championship rings almost exclusively in white gold, Jostens is starting to see a shift toward the incorporation of yellow.
On the Penguins’ rings, the words “Stanley Cup Champions” are cast in 14-karat yellow gold, and the frame around the triangle on the team’s logo is as well.
While that might seem fitting for a black-and-gold team, Poitras said they also used yellow gold in the Broncos’ rings, as well as the World Series rings made for the Kansas City Royals.
He said when they made the Royals rings last year, it marked the first time in a long time that the company had used any yellow gold in championship ring.
2. There are some unique stones in the Penguin logo. The penguin himself is made of natural black onyx and his white belly is set with a pear-shaped diamond.
Players, coaches and staff of the Pittsburgh Penguins gathered at the city’s Heinz History Center Tuesday to collect the diamond and gold rings made for them by Jostens, the Minneapolis-based company best known for making class and championship rings.
The Penguins won the NHL championship back in June, when they defeated the San Jose Sharks 3 to 1 in Game Six of the Stanley Cup Final.
Now, they have a ring to go with what is the club’s fourth Cup.
Jostens’ Chris Poitras, who talked with National Jeweler about the Denver Broncos Super Bowl rings earlier this year, divulged a few fun facts about the rings his company just made for the ‘Guins.
1. Yellow gold was used, again. The mixed-metals trend apparently has found its way into the wide world of sports.
Poitras, who is the vice president of Jostens’ sports and college division, said after years of making championship rings almost exclusively in white gold, Jostens is starting to see a shift toward the incorporation of yellow.
On the Penguins’ rings, the words “Stanley Cup Champions” are cast in 14-karat yellow gold, and the frame around the triangle on the team’s logo is as well.
While that might seem fitting for a black-and-gold team, Poitras said they also used yellow gold in the Broncos’ rings, as well as the World Series rings made for the Kansas City Royals.
He said when they made the Royals rings last year, it marked the first time in a long time that the company had used any yellow gold in championship ring.
2. There are some unique stones in the Penguin logo. The penguin himself is made of natural black onyx and his white belly is set with a pear-shaped diamond.
On the blade of his hockey stick is a single baguette, and the triangle that forms the logo’s background is set with yellow diamonds. That triangle is meant to symbolize downtown Pittsburgh, which comes to a point (of sorts) where the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers meet to form the Ohio.
3. It’s one of the biggest championship rings Jostens has ever made. The weight of the gold used for this ring is 104 grams, which makes it one of the heavier rings they’ve ever done, Poitras said.
The heaviest of all time ever produced by Jostens was for the New England Patriots when they beat the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl after the 2014 season. The weight of gold in that monster was 115 grams.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Just to put the size of these rings in perspective: The average engagement ring is around 4.5 to 6.5 grams and class rings are about 6 to 10 grams.
The Penguins’ ring also has 309 diamonds totaling 8.85 carats.
4. There’s a lesson to be learned from the mantra imprinted on the inside of the ring. The inside of the ring has two separate stamps
One side documents the results of the three playoffs series the Penguins had to win to get to the Cup, against the New York Rangers, Washington Capitals and Tampa Bay Lightning. It also includes the result of the Stanley Cup series, which the Penguins took 4-2
Opposite the series results is the phrase “Just Play,” the mantra adopted by a group that had a tumultuous year; the Penguins fired their coach mid-season and made a number of trades in an effort to turn around the underperforming team.
“Just Play” reminded players to focus on what they could control--their performance on the ice.
5. Jostens is no stranger to making rings for black-and-gold teams. Jostens has made rings for the Penguins before, and created the rings for five of the six Super Bowls won by the city’s football team, the Steelers. This includes the Steelers’ two most recent Super Bowl victories, in 2005 and 2008.
The company also has crafted World Series rings for the Pirates, though that’s a more distant memory, as Pittsburgh’s baseball team hasn’t won the MLB championship since 1979.
More on Majors
The Latest
CollectionsJun 12, 2026
Chouette Designs To Launch Collection Celebrating All Types of LoveOur Pride Month Piece of the Week, the “Margaux” ring, is part of the wife-and-wife team’s new “Lovestoned” collection.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2026
CBG Announces Plans for Phoenix ShowThe group has named the keynote speaker and announced a new pavilion for its next event, which is slated for September.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
EditorsJun 11, 2026
This Was the Best Animal Jewelry in Las Vegas From lions and hippos to snails and fish, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow wrangles her picks for cutest jewelry critters in Las Vegas.
Weekly QuizJun 11, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Grandview Klein, London Jewelers Partner To Cut 63-Carat RoughThe big stone will be fashioned into a 20.26-carat diamond in celebration of the retailer’s 100th anniversary this year.
Lab-GrownJun 11, 2026
Smiling Rocks’ ‘Wish Jar’ Generates 100+ Wishes in Las Vegas At the JCK show, the lab-grown diamond brand teamed up with Jewelers for Children to support Make-A-Wish India.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Exec Joins Diamonds Do Good BoardIlana McCabe is Signet’s vice president of public relations and brand communications.
AuctionsJun 10, 2026
31.62-Carat ‘Azure Blue’ Diamond Sells For $8M+ at Christie’sIt was a banner day for blue gemstones, with another blue diamond topping $8 million and a 41-carat sapphire going for $2.3 million.
CrimeJun 10, 2026
2 Suspects Arrested in Texas Jewelry Store RobberyThe men are believed to be part of the group of several masked suspects that robbed Marc Robinson Jewelers in April.
CollectionsJun 10, 2026
Sylvie Debuts ‘Elevated’ Bridal Collection Inspired By Designer’s RingThe bridal-focused brand is also launching its Custom Atelier this summer, a digital custom design tool for its authorized retailers.
EditorsJun 09, 2026
Q&A: Al Cook on the Lab-Grown ‘Bubble,’ Dwindling Diamond Supply The De Beers Group CEO also discussed tariffs, Desert Diamonds, and the pending sale of De Beers in an interview with Michelle Graff.
MajorsJun 09, 2026
Wilkerson's Russ Whitehouse RetiresThe industry veteran is bringing his 56-year run in the fine jewelry sector to an end.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2026
Pride Month Panel to Highlight LGBTQ+ Jewelry VoicesThe panel discussion will feature LGBTQ+ leaders across the jewelry, luxury, and creative industries.
CollectionsJun 09, 2026
Marie Lichtenberg’s New Capsule Collection Is a Smash, LiterallyInspired by a locket that got run over, the “Smash” capsule collection reimagines the shape of Lichtenberg’s signature style.
MajorsJun 09, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names Director of Sales for SoutheastThe company has promoted Katherine Whitacre to the role.
MajorsJun 08, 2026
Stuller Expands Selection of Lab-Grown Diamonds, Demi-Fine JewelryThe jewelry manufacturer has added Taylor Swift-esque diamond shapes, and more silver, gold vermeil, and gold-plated jewelry.
SourcingJun 08, 2026
Sally Morrison to Depart De Beers This Summer Morrison has been marketing diamonds on and off since the early 2000s and said she is leaving to “pursue new projects.”
TrendsJun 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: June’s Birthstone TrioThose born in June can celebrate with pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone jewelry.
TechnologyJun 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings Launches Ring Builder PlatformThe platform allows retailers to guide clients through a customizable engagement ring buying experience in a branded interface.
IndependentsJun 05, 2026
Pennsylvania Jewelry Store To Close After 79 YearsJim Springer, owner of Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry, is heading into retirement.
SurveysJun 05, 2026
Consumers to Cut Back on Spending Amid Rising Prices, Survey Shows When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
CollectionsJun 05, 2026
Rebel Jewelry’s Charm Symbolizes Perseverance for Pride MonthThe “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.
SourcingJun 05, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
