Diamond Mike Watson's Blog, page 4

The Silent Ride

This was a striking view I captured during my morning Los Angeles adventure. Later, in a high level of an old building I shared this photo with a stranger to show him the new world we live in. The man stood silently for a few seconds and told me his wife and friend had died. I didn’t know if he was talking about two different people or he meant his wife was his best friend. I took a gulp and asked him if it was from Covid. He said his wife was diagnosed with diabetes and Covid finished the job. I didn’t know what to say other than I was sorry.

Other than the occasional creaks of the elevator it was a long, silent ride to the lower level.

Victory Celebration or Darkest Chapter of Humanity?

This video was recorded moments before Trump’s rally on January 6, 2021. I am sharing the full two-minute video with audio. Because the copyrighted song “Goria” by Laura Brannigan was playing in the background the audio was muted by some news outlets.

The video shows the merriment and glee in viewing the crowd of supporters on the monitors. Five Americans would die shortly afterwards.

I write much on the subject of how we share experiences differently. Depending on your point of view, you may find yourself joining in this victory celebration, or you may see an ugly stain in our democracy and one of the darkest chapters of our humanity.

Diamond Mike’s Gingersnap Cookies

7 tablespoons unsalted butter melted but no longer warm to the touch.

1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)

1/4 cup dark brown sugar.  (50g)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. 

2 Tablespoons unsulphured molasses. 

1 large egg yolk

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2 Tablespoons whole milk

1 2/3 cup all- purpose flour (210g)

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Additional granulated sugar for rolling. (My preference is purple-colored.)

The site https://sugarspunrun.com gave me the inspiration to alter this recipe five times until I felt it was the best cookie experience. In cookie baking, there are so many variables; crunch, chewiness, intensity of flavor, and in the case of the Gingersnap cookie- heat. The secret, you will find, is the addition of ingredients you probably never dreamed went into a cookie- cayenne and black pepper.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. 

In a bowl combine all wet ingredients including white and brown sugar and wisk until consistent. In a separate bowl wisk all dry ingredients. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the first bowl and stir to make the dough. 

Scoop a tablespoon of dough to hand roll cookie balls. This should make about 24 cookies. Roll each ball into small cup of sugar. Space balls equidistant on large cookie pan with parchment paper and allow ample room between each cookie for expansion. 

Bake 24 minutes. Cookies will expand and naturally crack from the interaction of the baking soda. After removing from oven use the bottom of a flat drinking glass to firmly smash down each cookie. This makes them thinner and crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Smash cookies while warm because they will quickly harden.

Wait until cookies cool. You should feel a slight spicy burn on the back of your tongue when you swallow. This recipe should produce a nice heat-kick effect if spices are fresh but you can experiment with the ratio of spices to achieve desired taste.

The Gift of Knowing what Others Want

It is sometimes difficult for me to follow a story.  I can also be annoying while watching a movie with others as I constantly ask what is going on.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love to have deep conversations about reality and the universe.  However, if you narrate a story about Bill, George, and Charlie please do not ruin the end of the story with a pronoun by saying, “Then he jumped off a cliff and died.”  Who died?  Bill, George, or Charlie?  If you want me to really understand please talk to me like I am in Kindergarten. 

Fortunately, I have been gifted with the talent of knowing what customers want in a piece of jewelry.  I know what it means if a gem is set too high or too low.  I understand when a band is too thick or too thin.  I know that prongs need to hold a diamond securely without being the focus of a ring. 

It is a wonderful feeling when a customer cheerfully gives me a cherished gem and asks me to design a new setting for it.   I have enjoyed each year of my career but I’m thankful to have 40 years of experience behind me.  Trust is a precious commodity.  I suppose anyone can say they are trustworthy but it is time itself that must be the juror of this quality.  

 Few independent jewelry stores have survived in Orange County for more than thirty years.  Of course one has to be innovative and able to change with the times.  But I think a most important ingredient is letting customers know you really care about them.  When one lives by the Golden Rule the world is a wonderful place.

When searching for any professional help, a person should be judged on their expertise and integrity.  As any jeweler who is entrusted with priceless heirlooms, the element of trust is what keeps us going.  But please don’t judge me harshly if I don’t completely follow a story involving many characters.  

Uncle Charlie

I love messing with people’s minds. Here is the entire text conversation I had this morning from Facebook messenger. Fortunately, I always smell something fishy when when a random person starts off by saying, Hello, how are you doing today?

Scammer: Hello. How are you doing today?

Me: Hello. How is uncle Charlie doing?

Scammer: Doing good. Glad to hear from you. I’m doing pretty good and happy. Have you’ve heard the good news about the COV19 IFC grant?

Me: Is uncle Charlie going to die?

Scammer: They are helping the old, retired, and widows. The international finance corporation grant gives you cash. I got $90,000 when I applied and I don’t have to pay it back. Did you get yours?

Me: I always loved uncle Charlie.

Scammer: We love him so much. Have you heard about the program? I got $90,000 when I applied.

Me: I’m glad you got that money. Let uncle Charlie know we love him.

Scammer: Sure.
The agent in charge is Jessica Smith. She is trustworthy. Text her that you heard from me and that you would like to apply for the grant.

Me: Honey, we don’t need any money. Can’t take it to heaven. But thank you.

Scammer: I know you have enough. But my money is still at the bank and Charlie seriously needs some money for his surgery.

Me: Surgery? Why?

Scammer: He’s in critical condition. We need almost $4,500. Can you give us some money? How much can you get right now? We have to get some medication or he will go to surgery.

Me: Who goes to surgery?

Scammer: Charlie if we don’t get his medication. Do you have PayPal or cash app to get us some money?

Me: Who is Charlie?

Scammer: Your uncle Charlie!

Me: What happened to uncle Charlie? Is he OK?

Scammer: I already told you he’s in critical condition. How much can you get so I can send you to the bank?

Be Thankful for your Eyes

Gemologists can seem strange at times. That’s because we know that our business extends beyond what we see.  We have been known to burn amber in an inconspicuous place to smell its smoke and determine its authenticity.  We rub pearls beneath our front teeth to ascertain if they are real. (A smooth feel is an imitation, slightly gritty is real.) And finally, we use our ears to hear if a gemstone rattles in its setting when we shake it close to our ears. (if it rattles the gem needs to be tightened.)

In appreciating gems and jewelry we realize our most important geological instrument- our eyes. Under a microscope, the nature and location of a flaw can determine the value of a diamond by thousands of dollars. Even though we spend a good deal of time peering at gems under magnification we understand most of our joy comes from what we see reflecting back to our naked eye.  

With practice, an experienced diamond merchant can detect the difference between a diamond and a simulant at arms length. Of course we never admit this when we are invited to parties. The warm adamantine luster glowing from a diamonds facet is many times unmistakable. 

We must be thankful for our eyes. And it is important not only what we see but how we experience it.  In all of life, it is wonderful when we share This joy with one another.  

We each define our experiences in different ways. It is so precious to me, no matter how few the seconds, when a couple recalls their loving bond as they admire the colorful reflections of their diamond. This memory is more precious than the diamond itself. 

Appreciate your Eyes. Be Aware of your Experiences.

Gemologists like me can seem strange at times. That’s because we know that our business extends beyond what we see.  We have been known to burn amber in an inconspicuous place to smell its smoke and determine its authenticity.  We rub pearls right beneath our front teeth to ascertain their smoothness to see if they are real. (smooth is an imitation, rough is real.) And finally, we use our ears to hear if a gemstone rattles in its setting when we shake it close to our ears. (if it rattles the gem needs to be tightened.)

In appreciating gems and jewelry we realize how precious are our eyes. Under a microscope, the nature and location of a flaw can determine the value of a diamond by thousands of dollars. Even though we spend a good deal of time peering at gems under magnification we understand most of our joy comes from our experience when what we see reflects back to our naked eye.  

With practice, an experienced diamond merchant can detect the difference between a diamond and a stimulant at arms length. Of course we never admit this when we are invited to parties. The warm adamantine luster glowing from a diamonds facet is many times unmistakable. 

We must always be thankful for our eyes. And it is important not only what we see but how we experience it.  In all of life, it is wonderful when we share joy with one another.  If I notice how a diamond projects lovely spectral beams I am happy when someone else can notice that also.  

We each define our experiences in different ways. It is so precious to me, no matter how few the seconds, when a couple recalls their loving bond as they admire the colorful reflections of their diamond. This memory is more precious than the diamond itself. 

Thank you, Mr. Le

Mr. Le was born in Seoul, South Korea in 1955.

He began as a jewelry apprentice at age 18. During the following six years he divided his time in the army and working in the jewelry business. Afterward, he found a job with a larger jewelry company where he mastered his skills for the next ten years.

In 1988, Mr. Le came to Los Angeles, California where he was immersed in the fast-moving jewelry trade for the following five years. He further developed his skill in designing, casting, and diamond setting in gold and platinum.

In 1993 Mr. Le opened his own company.

Mr. Le crossed my path in 1997 at a time my own company was growing. I needed more artisans who could meet the demand of jewelry manufacturing. I was fortunate to use Le’s remarkable talents. Miracles happen when humans trust each other enough to share their passion, expertise and dedication. Today I am thankful that we each quickly recognized and combined our talents to create the largest movement of mother’s jewelry in the nation.

If you ever see a mom wearing a gleaming diamond or oval-shaped garnet or amethyst there is a high chance it may be Why Mom Deserves a Diamond jewelry. If you are lucky enough to meet one of these moms you must first remember the words of appreciation her child composed for her. But you must also remember an unknown man named Mr. Le that may have played an equally important part of the jewelry that is eternally draped from her neck or adorned on her finger.

We Must Give More than We Take

Humans take more than they give.  This is a sad condition.  Is there another species that purposely destroys its own habitat solely based on greed? 

Someone may argue that it is impossible for one to give two apples when they have only one.  But we plant a tree and remove a forest. We order a large meal and discard what’s left.  We consume for the thrill of consuming. We never have enough. That is why the natural resources that sustain us will eventually disappear.

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I don’t believe one can ever give too much, and one will never go bankrupt from giving.  But why is it so difficult for us to give?  We are taught to work and save our money for a rainy day.  Some may even see giving as a sign of weakness or as a bad business decision.  We are taught to be prepared for the future for our survival and well-being.  But we are not taught that giving back to our world actually helps us survive. 

In the last fifty years two-thirds of the worlds insects and animals have disappeared. With simple math we may be able to calculate when we will disappear as well.  The cause of this disaster is of our own making.  At the current rate of destruction it is difficult for me to see a positive outcome. There may be a spur in a growth of trees but soon an entire forest will be removed or scorched from climate change. There may be some years our skies will be a little clearer but soon a thicker cloud of pollution will take its place.

We erect skyscrapers, create lighting speed computers, and fly in space ships. Yet, as we examine our globe, it is easy to see the patches we’ve wounded from deforestation, water pollution, and ravaged from climate change.  The world is getting sicker and sicker. If I blame anyone personally for the ruin of EarthHome, I blame myself.  You see, I am a human just like you. When I chopped down a tree I neglected to replant a forrest. When I drove to and from work I never gave any thought about the harmful emissions I spewed.  I’ve wasted water, plastic containers, food, and electricity.

No matter our excuses- we take more than we give. My father was a man of little education and a few words, but I will never forget when he said, “Man will destroy himself.”

I can’t help thinking humans arrived from a failed experiment.  Did we originate on another world?  Did we rob that world of its resources before we moved here?  Has the time come for us to move again?

Do we want to survive and thrive and create a world for future generations to enjoy?  Are we capable of rising to this challenge?  This is possible, but only if we give more than we take. 

Sanctity of Life

The sanctity of life has a lot of facets besides abortion. Over 200,000 people have died from the mismanagement of coronavirus. People lose their lives everyday from racial injustice. Without an acceptable replacement of the Affordable Care Act, we will deny health coverage for millions of people with pre-existing conditions.

We should not place more emphasis on the unborn over the born, which includes the poor, hungry, sick, alien, orphaned, widowed, mentally ill and addicted.

I am humbled by the miracle of conception, but in respecting the sanctity of life we must focus on the less fortunate who are currently breathing.