The journey refines them.

Most diamonds are mined from primary sources in Africa, Russia, and Canada. Most were formed about one to three billion years ago, ninety miles below the surface, under extreme heat and pressure. From there they were carried to the surface by deep volcanic action. This is a violent process and many diamonds do not make it.

But from there, some are carried by flowing waters into alluvial deposits: riverbeds, shores, or onto deep ocean floors. These diamonds from secondary sources are often of very high quality because the stones with more inclusions are broken up, leaving only the finest to survive the journey.

So it is with us.