Ultramarine blue, or “true blue,” was once more valuable than gold. In 1824, a synthetic version called French ultramarine made the color more accessible. But ultramarine blue made from real lapis lazuli can sell for over $60 an ounce today.

The world's most expensive colors include a purple pigment made from snail shells and colored pencils that cost 14 times as much as Crayola's.

Shellac is a natural resin that comes from tiny insects harvested off tree branches in India. Indians have valued the bug for 3,000 years for its versatility.

Jukkit Suksawa is a Thai artist who has been creating traditional mother-of-pearl inlay for the past 30 years. He is determined to keep this 14th-century ancient tradition alive by doing every step the traditional way. His pieces feature Thai motifs like...

This test packs a punch—not just in dollars, but in perception. Nora Ali pens a warm confession of skepticism: she played her trusty childhood violin since age 12, but now she's been handed a legendary $14 million Stradivarius.

Learn how ordinary sand transforms into extraordinary glass through heat, chemistry, and craftsmanship in this fascinating look at glassmaking.

In the heart of southeastern Ohio, where Sunday Creek once flowed clear, a vibrant transformation is underway.

In a world desperately seeking sustainability, one company's golden idea has transformed pineapple waste into eco-friendly gold.

"World Wide Waste" is a Business Insider video series that dives into the global problem of overconsumption and waste, especially in fashion, tech, and food industries.

ThredUp Inc. is a leading online resale platform specializing in secondhand apparel, shoes, and accessories. Founded in 2009 by James Reinhart, Chris Homer, and Oliver Lubin, the company is headquartered in Oakland, California, and operates under the tick...

MnS Schmalberg is the last factory handcrafting custom fabric flowers in New York’s historic garment district.

Water hyacinths have ravaged through native ecosystems in at least 50 countries. They continue to spread and grow rapidly without much interference. Rokhak Women Handicraft is taking these plants out of the ecosystem and employing Cambodian women to make...

Half of the world's cork wine stoppers come from Portugal's cork oak trees. These trees are so important to the country's ecosystem and economy, they're protected under Portuguese law. We went inside the forests of Alentejo to see how the cork bark is car...

From natural latex mattresses and bespoke dress shoes to handmade calligraphy ink and ancient Tyrian purple dye, we traveled the globe to uncover the stories behind some of the world’s most expensive items.

Dijon mustard has a tangier, sharper, and spicier flavor compared to other types of mustard. It takes its name from the town of Dijon in Burgundy, France, where it originated. But despite its name, the majority of Dijon mustard that is sold all over the w...