SHORT TAKES : Diamonds Are Her Best Friend

LAS VEGAS —  Phyllis McGuire of the McGuire Sisters says there’s something about diamonds that make you smile.

McGuire, 59, who says her jewelry collection is one of the largest in the nation, put part of it on display Wednesday for the first time at a jewelry store near the Strip, as a favor for friend and shop owner Wayne Christensen.

“No two stones are alike,” said McGuire, pointing to a canary-yellow 42-carat diamond ring she was wearing and one in a display case. “Each have their own personality.”

McGuire, who keeps expensive pieces in Las Vegas and New York bank vaults, declined to reveal their value, saying only that it was “in the millions.” She and sisters Christine and Dorothy amassed a slew of gold records in the 1950s and ‘60s as one of America’s hottest trios before splitting up in 1968. They returned to the stage five years ago.