Diamonds: A Parable

May I tell you about diamonds?

We won’t dwell on how they’re formed, in the belly of the earth by pressure and heat, as “fearfully and wonderfully” as we are made ourselves (Psalm 139:14).

Rather, let’s talk about how they are light catchers and casters: this is the secret of their beauty.

Let’s talk about how when they are dug from the earth, rock and dust and all manner of other things cling to them. People skilled in these things send them through crushing machines until all that remains are the diamonds, because diamonds are the hardest natural substance. Period.

Let’s talk about how the diamonds are dunked into a scorching chemical bath, until all the fine impurities are washed away.

Let’s talk about how the lapidarist (gem cutter) picks up a diamond and studies it’s cloudy surface. He understands the lattice formed by the chemical bonds that make the diamond. He sess the flecks of impurities that stain its perfection. He notes what must be removed so that the diamond can truly shine.

He plans with purpose.

With calculated precision, he cleaves the diamond along it’s weakest plane, cutting away impurities and leaving only strength. Then, he cuts the diamond. There are all manner of cuts valued by culture, but the most exquisite and most expensive and most time-consuming to create is the princess cut.

When the diamond has taken shape in his hand, its surface is still rough and cloudy.

With intimate care, he places the diamond in a vise and gently touches it to a spinning, sanding disk–a disk coated with the dust of other diamonds and rotating at over 1000km/hr. He repeats the process until every face of the diamond sparkles with clarity and radiance.

Each natural diamond must be cut and polished individually, because no two diamonds are the same. The largest diamonds in the world take up to half a year to perfect, even with today’s modern technology.

Is it any wonder that our gentle God takes a lifetime to bring out the radiance in you and me?

The serendipity of the Spirit sent me down the diamond mine earlier this week. I am indebted to numerous articles and YouTube videos for my knowledge of the process. Do some digging yourself!

Bad puns aside, I was encouraged to be patient with myself and the journey God is bringing me through. What aspect of the diamond’s journey speaks to your own?