diamond in the rough

What an understatement. I heard that the diamond market is controlled by DeBeers, a South African company, who sends their diamonds to Canada, to be cut by Armenians. Nothing wrong with that. It's what I found out on www.howstuffworks.com that was so disturbing.

It appears that they hoard their supply and release a limited amount annually, driving up the price. They also were the ones responsible for starting this whole diamond craze back in the 40's with the brilliant ad campaign that stated "diamonds are forever", "diamonds are a girl's best friend", and "isn't a lifetime worth two months' salary?"! Yup.

Don't believe the hype. Diamonds are not rare, and they're made up of the same stuff that makes up the earth, and you & me. Carbon, baby. Simple carbon. I guess there's truth in that old saying about stuffing a piece of coal up your @$$ and turning it into a diamond.