Lorraine Brentlinger was born January 7, 1919. Her mother, Elsie, died one week later most likely from complications of childbirth, but this is non-verifiable. Elsie’s husband, Roy Brentlinger, was born August 15, 1894. He became a chief dispatcher of Norfolk Southern Railroad and was a Deacon of the church. During the same year that his… Continue reading The Brentlinger Diamond
Category: Gallery of Diamonds
You are a Living Masterpiece
Downtown Los Angeles was scorching hot as I strolled onto a busy street corner filled with impatient jewelers and diamond merchants. A handsome young man vied for my attention with a brochure in an outstretched arm. “Thank you,” I said, accepting his offering. I glanced down and it said, “Join Our Christian Fellowship.” I… Continue reading You are a Living Masterpiece
Thirty Years and a Tiny Dream
Thirty years ago my wife, Carmen, and I opened a small jewelry boutique that was half the size of our tiny one-room apartment. We started slow. It was all we could afford. After a few newspaper ads, customers trickled inside. Looking back, it is amazing the amount of jewelry one could buy for only a… Continue reading Thirty Years and a Tiny Dream
Are we real?
Sometimes it takes the small talk of a friend to open up the door of our minds. It was 30 years ago when I went to one of my jewelers to pick up a new creation. “Hello. How are you?,” I always began. “Oh, I’m great,” was always the answer. After some chit chat the… Continue reading Are we real?
Living Promises
By Diamond Mike Watson. Fountains Living Promises pendant. I created the Living Promises pendant and its verses for a user to summon any positive virtue. Forged in precious metal, the Living Promises pendant renders its charm with positive thought. The inspiration of the design came from a sketch my adoptive mother, Martha, drew when he… Continue reading Living Promises
The Gift of Knowing what Others Want
It is sometimes difficult for me to follow a story. I can also be annoying while watching a movie with others as I constantly ask what is going on. Don’t get me wrong. I love to have deep conversations about reality and the universe. However, if you narrate a story about Bill, George, and Charlie please do not ruin… Continue reading The Gift of Knowing what Others Want
Be Thankful for your Eyes
Gemologists can seem strange at times. That’s because we know that our business extends beyond what we see. We have been known to burn amber in an inconspicuous place to smell its smoke and determine its authenticity. We rub pearls beneath our front teeth to ascertain if they are real. (A smooth feel is an imitation, slightly… Continue reading Be Thankful for your Eyes
Thank you, Mr. Le
Mr. Le was born in Seoul, South Korea in 1955. He began as a jewelry apprentice at age 18. During the following six years he divided his time in the army and working in the jewelry business. Afterward, he found a job with a larger jewelry company where he mastered his skills for the next… Continue reading Thank you, Mr. Le
A Beautiful Experience
The following testimonial is from Heidi Tecklenburg, a winning mom from the 2019 Why Mom Deserves a Diamond contest. Thank you Heidi, for sharing your experience. Rewind to May 2012, when I was 45 years old, I never imagined that I would ever have a child call me MOM other than my 4-legged fur babies.… Continue reading A Beautiful Experience
The Power of Intention
I have proof that if you intensely hold a thought in your head for a long period of time it will become true. In 1993, shortly after I opened Gallery of Diamonds jewelers which now resides in Santa Ana, CA, I began a writing contest for school kids. Since I was adopted as a child… Continue reading The Power of Intention
What is More Important- Quality or Size?
Question What is more important: quality or size? Answer Both! For the same amount of money, one has the choice of purchasing a diamond that is white, flawless, and of perfect proportions-- and another that contains only a few inclusions and is cut less perfectly. The first diamond will be beautiful, but may be very… Continue reading What is More Important- Quality or Size?
Every Knee Shall Bow
Kneeling during our national anthem may be controversial, but it does not show disrespect to our country. I remember refusing to recite every verse of the Apostles creed at a Christian church. I was not being disrespectful. This was my way of expressing my beliefs within the congregation. In the case of NFL free agent… Continue reading Every Knee Shall Bow
Ten Questions for a Jewelry Store Owner
Interview by Ashley Vitar. 1. What type of jewelry do you sell? We offer fine diamond jewelry and everything from antique to modern including custom designs. Today, we are the largest seller of fine mothers jewelry in the nation. As purveyors of estate jewelry, we have antique pieces that date more than 140 years old.… Continue reading Ten Questions for a Jewelry Store Owner
The Four Steps to Positive Change and Success
As a single man, I was attracted to brunettes with shapely curves. Many will agree that, at first glance, its what's on the outside that counts. After all, can you determine if one enjoys nature hikes or Italian food from across a dimly lit room? A fulfilling relationship is one in which humor, conversation, and… Continue reading The Four Steps to Positive Change and Success
How I became Diamond Mike
My name has not always been Diamond Mike. In fact, when I was born I never had a name. The name Michael was given to me three days later by a loving woman and man who I would later call mom and dad. I was adopted. I never did meet my birthmother, who died in… Continue reading How I became Diamond Mike