Digging for Diamonds

I shared a bit about my attraction to “sapphire” as a gemstone about 3 weeks ago and since I know that a lot of other ladies, such as the lady who responded to the Posting via her comment, like diamonds – or at least wear /desire diamond rings/jewellery, I went on to dig up some more info about diamonds. Nothing wrong with liking more gemstones - increases the options for my husband (oops did I just let that slip out? :) - well it's true won't you agree?)

Ok back to the subject matter; I found some interesting information in Encarta Encyclopaedia online and other sources - my thoughts follow the information in a different font colour. So here goes…

Diamond is the hardest natural mineral and has many other exceptional properties that collectively make it an important industrial and scientific material. Unique geologically, diamonds form at great depths within Earth and are typically billions of years old. *

Sapphire speaking: Likewise, women are wired to be durable - did you know that the root word for diamond is “Adamas” – a Greek word that means unconquerable and indestructible? Seems like a good reason to wear diamonds so we have a constant reminder? Well, not really because it’s what you believe in your heart that counts not the rings/jewellery you wear.

Diamond Cutting
Diamond cutting encompasses a number of processes that bring out the beauty of gem diamonds. These processes include cleaving, sawing or laser cutting, and polishing. A diamond cutter seeks to enhance the brilliance and fire of each stone and to eliminate imperfections, such as cracks and cloudiness. The cutter develops a plan that will accomplish these goals while still producing a gem of the greatest size and hence maximum value. About half of a natural diamond’s size is lost in diamond cutting. *

Examining the stone is the first step in diamond cutting. The cutter determines where cleavage planes lie and decides how the stone can best be divided by cleaving and sawing. *

The cutter next places the diamond firmly in a holder for cleaving. A light blow of a hammer on the cleaving iron, which is held against the diamond parallel to the cleavage plane, cleaves the stone. *

Bruting is the process of giving the rough diamond its basic round shape. During the bruting stage, one diamond is forced against another on a special rotating wheel. This is the only way to actually form the shape of the diamond; by having it manipulated by a second diamond.**

Polishing, the final step in the cutting of a diamond, consists of forming the facets of the finished stone. Cutters most often choose the “brilliant” form, which has 58 facets.*

The most important aspect of a polished diamond is the quality of the diamond "cut". The cut of a diamond is the one thing which is entirely manipulated by the diamond cutter and will determine the visual beauty of the diamond. A well cut diamond will have tremendous brilliance regardless of its color and clarity grades. Conversely, a poorly cut stone will appear dull and lifeless even if it has a top diamond color and diamond clarity grade.**

Sapphire speaking: In Jeremiah 18:1-4, God shows us how like the potter, He moulds us (& remoulds) into vessels that are “useful” to Him. John 15: 1-3 Jesus informs us that God prunes us to cut off the non-beneficial parts of our lives so that we are more productive to Him and to the people around us – pruning is painful but good for us. That’s how God brings out the beauty and best in us – stick with His programme!

Henry Kissinger said “A diamond is a chunk of coal that is made good under pressure.” Remember, "A well cut diamond will have tremendous brilliance regardless of its color and clarity grades."** Furthermore, one diamond gets it's "shape" from another a wholly Biblical principle see Proverbs 27: 17: "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

Judging a Diamond’s quality
Only high-quality diamonds are suitable for use as gems. In judging the quality (and therefore the value) of a cut diamond, a buyer must take into account four criteria, known as the “four C’s”: color, clarity, carat weight, and cut. *

Sapphire speaking: Likewise, our quality in and of life is determined by specific criteria (i.e. principles) we live by. For value-enhancing principles, live by every word in the Bible.

Industrial Uses
Due to its hardness, diamond, as either single crystals or finely ground powder, can be used in cutting, abrading, or polishing tools. It is used extensively in drill bits, in cutting devices, and as a surface that can withstand shock and pressure. Industrial diamond has applications in the mining, oil and gas, electronic, optical, thermal, machining, dentistry, and medical industries.*

Sapphire speaking: We may not be popular or prominent but we can be useful and productive wherever we find ourselves. Ask yourself: are people glad or sad wherever I go or whenever I go?

Like diamonds, we have exceptional qualities that make us unique – like John Mason said “you’re born an original don’t die a copy”. (That’s a book I recommend that you read.)

No matter how hard you try to be like others, the best you can be is second best! Too many of us don’t know or appreciate how unique we are. Well just in case you haven’t heard it before…you ARE different, unique and special…live up to that!

In being the best “diamond” we can be, let’s take some advice from Mary McLeod Bethune who was an adviser to US president Franklin D. Roosevelt, “Invest in the human soul, who knows, it might be a diamond in the rough.”

Investing our time, love and prayers (TLP) in those around us is not just Digging for Diamonds...it's also Going for Gold. It also results in several WoW moments in your life - Fear not! you're wired to last and will overcome the challenges that are sure to come.

Keep radiating God's glory like the diamond you are!

*http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761557986/Diamond.html

**https://exceldiamonds.mysecureweb.net/education/diamonds/diamonds-art-cutting.php