Went to the ‘diamond district’ for a specific watch repair. A most fascinating street area east of sixth avenue on 47th. As I walked along, had to brave all the hawkers and their pitch to me, “Are you selling something?” I noticed that the younger women or women in the company of men got: ‘ Looking for an engagement ring?’ While waiting for the repair man who never showed, I chatted with his space-mate. His profession was the setting of diamonds in custom-design rings. He told me that last week he set a 15 carat stone that was insured for 1.5 million dollars to travel the block it took to get from the shop where it was purchased to his setting bench. It was an emerald cut, colorless E clarity and no internal flaws stone. He was in awe of it, but could not take a picture of it, as the ‘owners’ stood right over him. I asked him if he had ever seen a fake sold as authentic. He said no. I told him I preferred Moissanite diamonds. He understood. He said if you have a huge, clear, diamond and you held onto it long enough, it would increase in value. As I walked the street, while waiting, realized how much business goes on every day of which I am entirely unawares.