precious gems

the internal dialogue of a middle-aged diamond trader...
[i have to check them all out to get the perfect one]
this one's too small
too big
too ugly
not shiny enough [looks like it has been rolling around for ages]
[this one looks good] i'll keep it. no, wait. let me take a closer look
oh, not good enough [some tiny little fractures only visible upon further inspection]
what about that one?
no, too shiny [looks like a fake]
too fragile
that one? no, it has a big flaw in the middle
[there's one] oh, no can't be that one [has a little overgrowth attached]
that one? not enough density
[god, when did i become so picky?]
i better start choosing some of them
[i need to feed myself...]