From crawling beetles to priceless diamonds, jewelry has a history far stranger than most people realize. In this Betcha Didn’t Know, Joy Randle explores how ancient cultures wore live insects for protection and fashion, why silver was once more valuable than gold, and how gemstones earned their names and status over time. Along the way, you’ll discover surprising facts about rubies, sapphires, engagement rings, and the real meaning behind the word “jewel.” It’s a sparkling journey through history—with a few bugs thrown in for good measure.

Ever wonder why your pencil is yellow? This Betcha Didn’t Know uncovers the surprisingly colorful history behind that familiar classroom classic! Learn how a 19th-century marketing idea, inspired by Chinese royalty and launched at the 1889 World’s Fair, turned yellow into the world’s signature pencil color. From school buses to taxi cabs, Joy Randle connects the dots between psychology, science, and design—and even explains why “pencil lead” isn’t lead at all. Grab your No. 2 and get ready to take notes—you’ll never see a pencil the same way again!