The Six Characteristics of a Diamond...

"There are six outstanding characteristics of a Diamond. I should like to find real, honest-to-goodness people who could stand the same tests our diamonds are put through.

Number one: They are the hardest substance known, eighty-five times harder than any other known substance.
I should like to discover persons who instead of easily being grooved by elements that contact them, would rather be hard enough to impress others. Popular opinion and dictates of fashion deeply groove most people; but my diamonds should be able to not only withstand this influence, but to impress others instead.

Number Two: They are unspoiled by alkalis or acids.
A true gem should be able to mix with the sordid business world, social circles, and centres of learning without contamination. How many come out unspoiled , unspotted, or untarnished by flatteries or frowns, praise, or blame?

Number Three: A diamond can stand intense heat, and still be uninjured.
Talk about a furnace of affliction! We can't stand an ordinary shift on a hot day without complaining. How easily people are turned aside from some purpose because of adversity. A diamond can stand terrific heat, and still be unharmed.

Number Four: A diamond disperses light.
This is an unusual quality, and is what makes this gem so beautiful. Taking light, which to the human eye looks white, it breaks it up and then disperses it in all the colours of the rainbow. Give me a human gem who can take the simple duties of life, and simple pleasures, and because of an inner quality of soul make them appear more than simple—beautiful, glowing with all the colours of the rainbow.

Number Five: A diamond refracts.
This too, makes it beautiful. It has power to take light, bent it toward the centre and then send it back out. I've put this test over and over again—Invariably people take in light, but they don't bother sending it back out because they don't possess number six.

Number Six: A diamond is pure.
If a diamond has what we call 'inclusion' it is rejected and used for industrial purposes. Only as a diamond is pure can it send the light back out in unspoiled beauty. Selfishness mars so many otherwise beautiful characters."
—This is an excerpt from a book entitled "The King's Diamond" written by Lillian Harvey—

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May we all strive to shine as Gems for our Master!

"When He cometh, when He cometh to make up His jewels,
All His jewels, precious jewels, His loved and His own!
Like the stars of the morning, His bright crown adorning,
They shall shine in His beauty, bright gems for His crown."
—William Orcutt Cushing