From Pebbles To Diamonds

A rock or a diamond?

We all know that diamonds are simply a type of rock to which we have assigned great monetary value. And, we think they’re pretty.

Industrial Diamonds

Diamonds have also been adapted for many uses because of the material's exceptional physical characteristics, so they are utilitarian for industrial applications.

“Diamond is the hardest known natural material on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, where hardness is defined as resistance to scratching and is graded between 1 (softest) and 10 (hardest).
Diamond has a hardness of 10 (hardest) on this scale and is four times harder than corundum, 9 Mohs.
Diamond’s hardness has been known since antiquity.”

Diamonds are extremely effective at polishing, cutting, and drilling.

“Many industries – including automotive, mining, and military – use diamond saws and drills. Small diamond particles are added to drill bits and saw edges to make them more powerful for cutting tough materials.”

So, we agree a diamond is a pretty rock and it even serves a useful function, but does it really have any romantic value?

It's a matter of marketing that makes us believe we should have a diamond ring when we get married.

Diamonds As A Declaration Of Love

The question as to the intrinsic value of diamonds in romance is a matter for debate. Viewing diamonds as a worthy romantic statement is examined in this article that claims we’ve all been brainwashed.

Like Pavlov’s dogs, we’ve been conditioned to believe that diamonds are a declaration of love. All part of a wildly successful marketing scheme by De Beers and Madison Avenue.

It started around 1938 when a study, paid for by De Beers, revealed that men were the ones buying diamonds for engagement rings. However, sales were low after The Depression. Another problem was that many prosperous women didn’t want them while others wanted to put their money in a better investment. Lower income groups simply couldn’t afford them.

Diamonds are forever. Or, so they say. Maybe we don't need a diamond for a wedding ring.

Marketing Diamonds

The big question loomed. How to increase sales for something that people did not want and could not afford?

“Since “young men buy over 90% of all engagement rings” it would be crucial to inculcate in them the idea that diamonds were a gift of love: the larger and finer the diamond, the greater the expression of love. Similarly, young women had to be encouraged to view diamonds as an integral part of any romantic courtship.”

In 1947, N.W. Ayer, the advertising agency hired by De Beers, invented the slogan “A Diamond is Forever.” Having that diamond engagement ring became a sign of never-ending love.

“The De Beers marketing machine... circulated marketing materials suggesting, apropos of nothing, that a man should spend one month’s salary on a diamond ring. It worked so well that De Beers arbitrarily decided to increase the suggestion to two months salary.
That’s why you think that you need to spend two month’s salary on a ring — because the suppliers of the product said so.”

The diamond ring became a symbol of personal family success. Like a waving flag to show-off one’s socio-economic achievement, the big diamond on a wife’s finger reflected a man’s success in life.

For many years, a simple wedding band sufficed as a declaration of commitment and marriage. Further in the past, clothing used to indicate marital status. Perhaps it’s time to let go of the notion that the size of a diamond on a ring indicates your self-worth or the value of your love. Are you ready yet to forego the diamond?

Diamonds are beautiful, and yet, we all have diamonds in our heart.

Diamond Songs

One of the iconic diamond songs is Diamonds Are Forever from the 1971 James Bond movie of the same title. It plays with the marketing theme of diamonds being forever, but tosses the love and keeps the diamonds.

Spiral Diamond Necklace

As we run off in search of riches and jewels, we are reminded:

“You wander from room to room
Hunting for the diamond necklace
That is already around your neck! ”

— Rumi

Students of The Radiance Technique® (TRT®) have a wonderful technique to support them to find these treasures hidden in their hearts.

The use of TRT® hands-on, Radiant Touch®, supports our journey to greater awareness and lights up our path along the way, making it easier to find the real diamonds of the heart.

And, if you own some diamonds, you can hold them in your hands and direct radiant energy to them to get in touch with their journey from pebble to diamond, enhancing the light within them.

Hearts in the Wind