Peacock mantis shrimp Interior of Marble House one of the most famous mansions in Newport Rhode Island U S A Hope Diamond 6
BLING When you hear that word do you think of giant gems or gorgeous jewels Or is it piles of money diamond encrusted cupcakes maybe even gold toilets While bling is certainly everything flashy glittery and rich there’s actually actually so much more to it than just shiny stuff So what is bling really Say the word out loud and you might swear you can hear light striking the surface of a sparkling diamond Linguists call a word that conjures up the idea of a sound an ideophone But only in recent decades did people start using the term bling Television ads and music videos use it to describe fancy over the top accessories like extravagant watches and glistening gold necklaces necklaces Just like a catchy tune once bling got into our brains it stuck around The truth is though bling isn’t just for people with big bucks Bling is all around us whether it’s an animal that amazes a stone that sparkles gear that glitters or science that shimmers And as long as you find beauty and value in something it’s as good as gold So turn the pages and uncover the jaw-dropping secrets behind our world’s most brilliant bling Explore the wonders of nature by indulging in views of gorgeous glowing caves and shining lakes Get ready to be astonished astonished by animals that seem to trick the human eye with their crazy colors or surprising sheen Unearth radiant rocks and magnificent minerals lush landscapes and majestic marvels Take a step back in time to find sprawling kingdoms kingdoms royal relics and reclaimed riches And yes you’ll even find some flashy fashion and other super splurges that might make you see dollar signs Prepare your eyes for the super sparkly awesomely astonishing and unbelievably opulent You might be surprised by the world of wealth you discover Armor of Henry II king of France Tropical piranha
CHAPTER 1 RITZY ROCKS Glimmering Glimmering rocks add glitz to just about anything Dazzling diamonds and other gemstones summon oohs and aahs on necklaces and bracelets while sparkling stones ignited prehistoric fires We use other rocks in our everyday lives and we even eat some Whether they hold sinister secrets or capture the world’s attention for their regal status this bling has solid star power 8
