Why Mom Deserves a Diamond: 2,002 Essay Contest Winners for 1998

President Michael Watson of Gallery of Diamonds began the "Why Mom Deserves a Diamond" contest in 1993 in honor of his adopted mother and the birthmother he had never known. In 1998, Watson awarded thousands of children African garnets, amethysts, and diamonds to those who wrote the most touching essays about their moms. This anthology of 2,002 winners includes all those who won a gemstone for their mothers. $3,500 in proceeds from this publication has been donated to the Orange County Public Library for books on creative writing, public expression, and for adoptees searching for their roots.

From humble beginnings in 1993 with a total of 250 entries, the Mother's Day contest has now enabled over 25,000 students to become a little closer to their moms.

Two students from Orange County, California and two students from Los Angeles County were awarded a quarter-carat diamond with a retail value of $400 to give their mothers for Mother's Day.

The (4) diamond winning essays for 1998 :

A diamond has all the colors of the rainbow. My mom deserves a diamond because she is all the colors in my life.

Jason Kirstein
Grade: 3
Irvine, California

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Her lips are roses, her complexion is cream. She understands my deepest thoughts and dreams. She is my angel with a halo of gold. She is my mother.

Tawnya Ravy
Grade: 7
Yorba Linda, California

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My mother deserves a diamond because she's unique, priceless, perfect, pure, precious, dazzling, flawless and rare. She sparkles with love and glistens with knowledge. She is a gem to me.

Vicki Ann Blood
Grade: 4
Lakewood, California

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A heavenly calm, and pure state of grace
A lovely expression falls on her face
A whisper of words, like velvety lace
Soft summer's glow, in securing embrace
My Mother.

Jennifer Plankenhorn
Grade: 8
Valencia, California