One theory is that green diamonds come from outer space. Photo / Supplied
One theory is that green diamonds come from outer space. Photo / Supplied
Auckland jewellers Mark and Pamela Beckett are showing their love for New Zealand dairy farmers by giving away a two-carat diamond valued at $12,000.
And it's not just any old gem – it is a rare green diamond, and quite possibly the only one in New Zealand, they say.
"Our lives over the past 40-plus years have revolved around precious gems and we believe Kiwi dairy farmers are gems too," said Mr Beckett, who is London-trained.
The Becketts wanted to show their support for dairy farmers and their appreciation for the work they do every day of the year, and in all weather.
"We reckon this rare green diamond is the perfect way to celebrate our dairy farmers who are committed to caring for our land and environment, and, we believe, just like diamonds, that they are here forever."
The diamond is the prize in a promotion organised by DairyNZ, where anyone can nominate a dairy farmer they feel is worthy of receiving the diamond.
DairyNZ's general manager farm performance, Vanessa Winning, said she was touched by the Becketts' appreciation for dairy farmers.
"This is such a thoughtful gift – a true surprise and delight for farmers. While we receive praise and recognition for the work our farmers and their teams are doing on-farm and in their surrounding communities, this is the first time anyone has expressed their admiration and thanks in this way."
The Becketts both hail from dairy farming families.
Mark was raised on a dairy farm in Matamata in the dairy heartland of the Waikato, while Pamela often visited her grandparents' dairy farm as a child – land that is now part of Auckland Airport.
"Even back then, our farming families had a long-term view of environmental stewardship – everything my father did on the farm was to care for the land and his animals," said Mr Beckett.
"It's my opinion that dairy farmers more environmentally green than most – certainly greener than many non-farming people because of the work they do to protect the environment.
"We see some dairy farmers getting bad press for allegedly stuffing up the streams and their cows get the blame for global warming. We saw the opportunity to give away this appropriately green coloured diamond to thank the good farmers for their hard work, both as stewards of the land and also in bringing us milk.
Pamela and Mark Beckett. Photo / Supplied
"It feels like the natural thing for us to do."
In his decades as a jeweller, Mr Beckett had a green diamond only once before, although he has had plenty of yellow and pink diamonds, and some blues.
He came across the one he is giving away in a collection of estate jewellery in Australia where it had been part of a family collection for several generations.
Beckett said the most famous example is the Dresden Green Diamond, which was found in India two centuries ago and is named after the German city where it is mostly on display, except when it is being loaned to other museums and galleries.
In answer to the question of how green diamonds come about, Beckett believed scientists have not as yet been able to provide a conclusive answer.
One theory is that they are the product of natural exposure to radioactive materials while they are still in the ground. Another is that they are actually from outer space, from another planet.
Beckett prefers the outer space theory.
"All the elements that go to make a diamond green are present on a number of planets".
Along with appreciating dairy farmers, the Beckett have a love for collecting the unusual with various conversation pieces on display in their jewellery shop in Newmarket, Auckland.
Among the treasures is a fossilised dinosaur egg they had X-rayed a few years ago to show the immature dinosaur inside the egg.
They have been advised it is a therizinosaurus which once roamed parts of China and Mongolia about 70 million years ago.
