otoh

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
I posted a version of this on 9 June 2005, but I have added some new material for this post. ~Tim

What we find precious are common materials forged in uncommon circumstances. Rubies are aluminum oxide, pearls are calcium carbonate, diamonds are carbon. Aluminum, oxygen, calcium, carbon. All so very common. As are we.

Cut: Most gemstones are not very pretty when they are pulled from the earth. It takes an expert’s eye to see the potential within. The careful cutting away of waste and polishing leads to fire and brilliance. We all start out like diamonds in the rough. But we have to develop our own facets. Forgive me for still being a little rough. Pearls are beautiful when we find them, but they are the result of the oyster trying to protect itself from some irritation like a microscopic intruder or parasite. We take irritations and turn them into wars. I feel so evolved.

I’m just an old chunk of coal
But I’m gonna be a diamond some day
I’m gonna glow and grow
‘Til I’m so blue pure perfect

Color: The color differences in gems can be so subtle that they are imperceptible except when compared side-by-side with another stone. We naturally make comparisons. [One of these things is not like the other....] We are alike, but not the same. And if you look closer, I am not exactly what you thought I was. As I get to know you better, as I look closer, you are not exactly what I thought you were either. We may look at life through rose-colored glasses or spend our nights feeling blue. But we need to remember that our color comes from the inside, not the outside.

I’m gonna put a smile on everybody’s face
I’m gonna kneel and pray everyday
Lest I should become vain along the way
I’m just an old chunk of coal, now Lord
But I’m gonna be a diamond some day

Clarity: Every gem has imperfections. That’s largely what makes them unique. Our flaws may be minor surface blemishes or fractures hidden deep within, but we all have them. We cheat on our spouses, we abuse our children, we lie to our families, we betray our friends, we fight with our neighbors, we steal from strangers, we hate ourselves. But put us in the right light and none of that is visible. We choose our light to hide our flaws.

I’m gonna learn the best way to walk
I’m gonna search and find a better way to talk
I’m gonna spit and polish my old rough-edged self
Til I get rid of every single flaw

Carat: The mass of gems is measured in carats and a paragon is a flawless diamond of at least 100 carats. A paragon is a model of excellence or perfection. A “paragon of virtue” is the common phrase we use to describe people we admire. Can we be virtuous and yet not flawless? How can we be anything else? The carat [spelled karat in the U.S. and Canada] is also the measure of purity of gold. Pure gold does not exist in nature. Even the highest purity refined gold may be only 99% pure. I am considerably less pure, but then I never claimed to be very refined either….

I’m gonna be the World’s best friend
I’m gonna go around shaking everybody’s hand
Hey, I’m gonna be the cotton-pickin’ Rage of the Age
I’m gonna be a diamond some day

Setting: Gemstones are beautiful in themselves, but in the context of a ring or necklace that beauty can be multiplied. The right setting enhances our appearance, the wrong one diminishes it. In our blogs, in our lives, we choose our surroundings and what to display. Some of us choose to display our faults and rough edges. Some of us give hints and glimpses. Some of us hide all but a facet or two.

Sometimes I am disappointed when I see a flaw in someone I admire and respect. Usually I am dismayed when I see the flaws in myself. We are not perfect, but that’s what makes us unique and beautiful. Besides, we are all still works in progress.