“As he thinks, so he is; as he continues to think, so he remains.” ? James Allen, As a Man Thinketh
Author: Diamond Mike Watson
Diamond Mike lives in Orange County, California. He is a diamond merchant and the founder of Gallery of Diamonds Jewelers and the Why Mom Deserves a Diamond writing contest. He is a music writer, book author, and time traveler. To contact him call 714-549-2000, or email him at info@galleryofdiamonds.com. He would love to hear from you!
Visions and Ideals
“The visions you glorify in your mind, The ideals you enthrone in your heart.. This you will build your life by... This you will become.” ? James Allen, As a Man Thinketh
Listen Carefully…
“Have you ever heard the wonderful silence just before the dawn? Or the quiet and calm just as a storm ends? Or perhaps you know the silence when you haven't the answer to a question you've been asked, or the hush of a country road at night, or the expectant pause of a room full… Continue reading Listen Carefully…
Taylor-Burton Diamond
This 69.42 carat pear-shaped diamond was sold at auction in 1969 with the understanding that it could be named by the buyer. Cartier of New York successfully bid for it and immediately christened it "Cartier". However, the next day Richard Burton bought the stone for Elizabeth Taylor, renaming it the "Taylor-Burton." In June 1979, the… Continue reading Taylor-Burton Diamond
Because She Loved Me First
Martha Velia Watson March 15, 1920 - September 14, 2006 Mom woke me softly in the morning And readied me for school Speak kind words to everyone Obey the Golden Rule With a gentle hug and kiss She handed me a sack Potato sticks, with snacks and fruits Were very neatly packed Her endless… Continue reading Because She Loved Me First
Five minutes before the Big Bang
I can almost wrap my mind around the Big Bang. For whatever reason, there was a terrific explosion. I hear it was a totally silent experience because there was no atmosphere to create sound. I can grasp that also. Debris and gasses formed everything we now see, including us. So far, so good. But what… Continue reading Five minutes before the Big Bang
The Orlov Diamond
Legend says this stone, which served as the eye of an Indian idol, found its way into the Court of Russia in the 1700's, where Prince Orlov gave it to his ex-lover, Catherine the Great. This stone is currently held in the Diamond Treasury in Moscow. The stone weighs 194.75 cts.
The Millennium Star Diamond
De Beers has unveiled the world's rarest set of diamonds ever put together to mark the year 2000. Stressing that 'millennia come and go, but diamonds are forever,' the diamond giant's Chairman Nicky Oppenheimer presented the De Beers Millennium Star, a D-color, internally and externally flawless pear-shape, cut to perfect proportions, weighing 203.04 carats. It… Continue reading The Millennium Star Diamond
The Moussaieff Red
The William Goldberg Diamond Corporation, famous for outstanding stones like the Premier Rose and the Guinea Star, cut this gem from a 13.90-carat rough. They transformed the piece into a spectacular red diamond weighing 5.11 carats. The GIA states, "It is the largest Fancy Red, natural color diamond that we have graded as of the… Continue reading The Moussaieff Red
The Light of Peace
The Zales Light of Peace was cut from a 434.60 carat rough stone. Its origin is unknown, but it is believed to have come from Sierra Leone. It was acquired by the Zale Corp. in Texas. The stone weighs 130.27 cts and is D in color and VVS1 in clarity. In 1969 the Zale Corporation… Continue reading The Light of Peace
Invent Your World
Ever wonder why the light bulb was invented? What about the bicycle, the television, or your favorite roller coaster? Let's think bigger, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Hubble telescope, the Great Pyramids. The origin of these amazing accomplishments stemmed from one thing- an idea. In fact, everything that surrounds you at this moment, from crayons… Continue reading Invent Your World
The Incomparable Diamond
The Incomparable was found in its rough state weighing 890 carats, and was found in the Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) in the 1980s. It was found by a young young girl playing in a pile of rubble outside her uncle's house. This rubble had been legitimately collected from old mine dumps from a nearby… Continue reading The Incomparable Diamond
The Pink Condé Diamond
The Pink Condé is one of the most unusual of the world's notable diamonds: a light pink pear-shaped stone of 9.01 carats. Agents of Louis XIII are said to have bought the stone in 1643 after which the King presented it to Louis de Bourbon, Prince of Condé, who had distinguished himself as Commander of… Continue reading The Pink Condé Diamond
The Cullinan, the Star of Africa
The largest rough diamond ever found, the Cullinan originally 3,106 carats (about 1 1/2 pounds!) It was eventually cut into 9 major stones, two of which are in the British Crown Jewels, and 96 smaller stones. The Cullinan I, which is the pear-shaped diamond in this sceptre weighs 530.20 cts. The Cullinan l is the… Continue reading The Cullinan, the Star of Africa
Star of Sierra Leone
Weighing almost a half pound, The Star of Sierra Leone is the third largest rough diamond ever discovered. At 969.80 carats, the Star of Sierra Leone is the third largest rough diamond ever discovered. It was found on February 14, 1972, at the Diminco Mine in Sierra Leone. Harry Winston purchased the Star of Sierra… Continue reading Star of Sierra Leone