She learned, too, that sometimes emeralds, sapphires and rubies were more beautiful in a polished form, cabochon cut, than the brilliant cut.‘Look at these stones,’ Uncle James told her, spreading out one or two diamonds big enough to take Catherine’s breath away. ‘How much would you give me for that one?’‘Oh, Uncle James, I couldn’t guess. It’s fabulous!‘Look again, my dear,’ he said quietly, and Catherine took another look. Wasn’t it just a little too brilliant, too perfect? she wondered, and frowned.‘Is ... is it really a diamond?’‘Why do you ask?’‘It ... well, it seems brighter, somehow.’He smiled broadly, well pleased.‘It’s a new form of simulated diamond, the closest ever to the diamond which man has produced himself. In a smaller stone, I guess even I would have to look twice and then look again.’‘Then isn’t it just as good? I mean wouldn’t a ring set with that stone be just as wonderful, and a lot less costly than a diamond ring?’‘Perhaps.
