Chapter 52: Moissanite Diamond

How much is a major diamond?
About two hundred dollars.

After examining countless necklaces in the jewelry store, Li Yi’an finally nodded in satisfaction.

“This is the one.”

This necklace, encrusted with diamonds, was priced at merely two hundred dollars… The chain was made of white gold, but the diamonds set into it were counterfeit. It was a display piece, and if needed, genuine diamonds could be swapped in at any time. Somewhere in Washington, the owner urgently required a top-tier necklace, and such display necklaces were prepared for that purpose. Within just a few hours, a dazzling diamond necklace could be crafted—essentially just replacing the diamonds.

“Sir, the centerpiece diamond on this necklace needs to be at least thirty carats…”

Before the Jewish jeweler could finish his sentence, he froze in astonishment. He saw the man pull out what looked like a stone, but was in fact a diamond weighing at least forty carats!

Not only was the jeweler stunned, but even Ava Gardner was taken aback for some time. She had never imagined that the man’s pocket contained such a large diamond.

While they were still shocked, Li Yi’an produced a small cloth pouch.

“Oh my God!”

When the contents of the pouch spilled out, hundreds of diamonds ranging from one to three or four carats lay before their eyes.

“Oh my God!”

Ava Gardner covered her mouth in amazement. She knew he was wealthy, but she never expected him to carry so many diamonds casually in his pocket.

As for the Jewish jeweler, he stood there dumbfounded. He had seen many wealthy clients but never encountered a tycoon who treated diamonds like pebbles.

“Sir,” Li Yi’an said casually amidst the jeweler’s astonishment.

“All these diamonds are already cut—square cuts, round cuts. Take a look and see which would be suitable replacements.”

But what kind of diamonds were these?

In fact, Li Yi’an himself had not expected that in the small side pouch of the bag, there were two packets of treasure—moissanite!

In later times, this synthetic diamond simulant was very cheap, even for stones weighing several dozen carats, costing only a few hundred dollars. Such a small packet of moissanite was not expensive—at most, one or two thousand dollars.

Why a tomboy like him would have such things, Li Yi’an didn’t know. But when he first arrived in London, if he had searched more carefully, he wouldn’t have starved so badly. Just taking out a single stone would have solved his lodging and food problems.

“All right, all right…”

The Jewish jeweler hurriedly picked up a magnifying glass and examined the enormous pear-shaped diamond under the small desk lamp. His heart surged with excitement; perhaps this was the largest diamond he had ever handled in his life. What was even rarer was that it was a finely cut pear-shaped gem.

Yet, upon closer inspection, he was once again shocked.

“Oh my God, the fire of this diamond… it’s truly dazzling!”

Dazzling?

Hopefully, it didn’t blind you… Li Yi’an thought to himself.

Then he called over another man, older in age. After careful examination, the man said,

“Sir, your diamond is extraordinary. Compared to ordinary diamonds, its fire is much more intense and even more beautiful. In all my years of experience, I have never seen such a splendid fire.”

“Yes, is there a problem?”

Li Yi’an asked calmly.

“Of course not. It is our honor to craft this necklace for you. If you could allow us three days, I guarantee we can create an even more perfect diamond necklace.”

The jeweler said.

“Only three days?”

“Three days…”

After some thought, Li Yi’an shook his head and said,

“I can’t wait that long. Please finish as soon as possible. The small diamonds…”

Before he could finish, the Jewish jeweler interjected,

“Sir, the small diamonds will be provided free of charge. However, we hope you will allow us to take photographs and approve our craftsmanship.”

The jeweler looked at Li Yi’an eagerly. In truth, the free provision was a way to advertise their business. No jewelry store in Washington had ever made a diamond necklace with a centerpiece over ten carats for a client.

“That’s fine.”

A few hours later, in the hotel room, when Li Yi’an placed the freshly crafted diamond necklace around Ava Gardner’s swan-like graceful neck, she was utterly mesmerized by the necklace reflected in the mirror. Even though she knew the necklace could never truly belong to her, she was enchanted by it. Just wearing it, even briefly, was a rare stroke of fortune.

As he fastened the necklace, the man’s fingers inevitably brushed against her skin, causing her to softly moan.

Looking at the woman in the mirror, biting her lip, cheeks flushed with a rosy glow, Li Yi’an recalled a saying: diamonds are a woman’s spring desire.

Even if they were synthetic diamonds… they were still desire, perhaps even more intense.

Standing behind her as he clasped the necklace, Li Yi’an not only heard her soft moan but also felt her rapid breathing. At the same time, she melted into his embrace like a rag doll, her body soft and powerless.

Feeling her quick and heavy breaths, Li Yi’an’s fingers gently traced her collarbone, while she closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder, savoring his touch.

As her breathing grew more hurried, the diamond necklace at her chest shimmered like majestic mountain ranges undulating.

His fingers moved along the curves of her gown’s waistline. There was no denying that Ava Gardner’s figure was truly perfect.

“Li…”

At that moment, Ava Gardner had already turned to face him, her watery green eyes fixed intently on Li Yi’an, her lips trembling.

“I, I…”

Faced with such a breathtaking sight, who could resist?

In the moment of inner struggle, with a dazed expression, she took the initiative to kiss him.

Testing the man like this?

Li Yi’an was just an ordinary man, like all normal men, unable to withstand such a test.

Ah… just surrender!

When the inevitable comes, one might as well enjoy it!

…

When everything was over, it was already ten o’clock at night. After hours of passionate encounter, the battle concluded with the woman utterly exhausted. She lay on the bed, drenched in sweat, smiling blissfully.

As for Li Yi’an, he stood gazing at the distant obelisk, a faint, subtle smile curving his lips…