diamond in the rough

"freshwater pearl and citrine, instead of diamonds. because it's something you need to take care of, and work to protect, not something that will last 'forever' by default"

- Michelle Kirana Oh

I guess the term diamonds are forever can be proven to be right because technically, diamonds are the hardest natural material known. The root of the word 'diamond' is adamas, which also means indestructible. 

What's so extravagant about this rock that it can be a symbol of love? I guess heart as another symbol of love is quite understandable. When your heart stops beating, you die. Without one, you might not exist. But, Michelle was right, who would want forever by default? 

Sigh, blame Archduke Maximilian of Austria for starting this phenomenon by giving a diamond engangement ring as a promise of marriage to his love, Mary of Burgundy. Personally, I am not keen on diamond rings. I find them pretty, but a pretty marriage? Not something I am looking forward to. 

If someone were to propose to me with a diamond ring on the palm of their hand, I would ask them on what basis did they buy that particular diamond ring? If they cannot answer it, I would assume that they are portraying our future marriage to act like a diamond:

• Diamonds are clear - I want to have colour in our relationship
  
• Diamonds are beautiful and full of corners - I want chipped sides with no hidden corners, all bare
  
• Diamonds are indestructible - yes, that's a wish, certainly not by default. But something we, as a couple, work to achieve 
  
• Diamonds are forever - being delusional and assuming that we will be together forever? No way. 

Who doesn't wish forever exists on its own? but sometimes one needs to put their feet back on earth and realize that without protection, care, love, trust and a million other obstacles; forever will never exist. Nevertheless, a relationship is muchmuch more interesting when we can look forward to the 'ups' after the 'downs'. 

On the other hand, I would not mind being presented with a combination of sapphire and diamond. Sapphire has a beautiful connotation to it - loyalty and fidelity; two of my most precious and crucial factors of a relationship. teeheeeee.