It has been hacked out of the earth, cut, polished and bought and sold along the way — to finally be shown in all its glory. These bits of mineral formation from the mines of South Africa, Burma, Brazil, Colombia, Russia or Canada have now arrived — on the red carpet, at gem exhibits and at the premier shops around the world. They are admired, and ultimately bought and shown off, although the mammoth diamond mining concern DeBeers says the current diamond market will depend on the U.S. economy — now struggling. The U.S. is the largest diamond jewelry market in the world. Nevertheless, throughout history precious stones have meant something and still do. VOA's Sonja Pace has this final segment of our series.
