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A jewelry treasure, the Guiding Star pendant displays a brilliant natural princess cut diamond set above your child's winning gemstone in 14K gold. The bail is oversized to accommodate larger chains. The Moon Over Mountains® insignia is artfully dispayed on the undergallery and cradles the diamond. Every Guiding Star pendant is individually hand-crafted by our master jewelers to last a lifetime. -
For nearly half a century, Diamond Mike Watson searched for his origins. What began as a quest to find his birthmother became something far greater—his understanding of the nature of existence itself. What he discovered became Living Promises. Through eight simple but powerful principles, Living Promises: The Kingdom Within shows you how to recognize what has been within you all along. To love more deeply. Give more freely. Forgive completely. Live gratefully and joyfully. And face life courageously. PRE-ORDER YOUR SIGNED COPY NOW — $24.95 Through Watson’s deeply personal reflections, Living Promises will help you:Finally, the book you’ve waited your whole life for.
Discover your potential. Express your truth. Create each day.Everything you seek is already within you.Living Promises is a guide to fully becoming who you already are.For those with deep curiosity: Living Promises explores: Who am I? Why am I here? What is truth? What is the Divine? And what is already within me? For parents: Living Promises offers simple principles and memorable stories that can help parents begin meaningful conversations with their children about how we treat ourselves, one another, and the world around us. For teachers: Living Promises contains dozens of reflective stories and poems that can become a classroom adventure for all grade levels. “Diamond Mike’s optimism is contagious, leaving students and teachers inspired to look upon any goal as attainable." —Cristina Barber. MacArthur Fundamental. Santa Ana. “Thank you for again giving me this opportunity to enrich my students’ learning experience.” —Susie Spargur. Chapman Hills Elementary. Orange. “(Our students) will never forget your charisma and inspiring story!” —Keeley Hayashi. Thomas Jefferson Elementary. Anaheim. “You have made a difference in so many young lives – and a few old ones too.” —June McCartin. Eastbluff Elementary. Newport Beach.
About the Author
At age seventeen, Mike Watson began a search for his roots that would last a lifetime. Although both his birth parents had already died, and his birthmother was told he was stillborn, Watson obtained a deep understanding of gratitude, love, and purpose.
In 1993, he created the Why Mom Deserves a Diamond® writing contest to offer children, families, and educators an opportunity to reflect on the power of recognition and the appreciation of those significant in our lives.
Through decades of personal reflection, Watson has continued to explore a central question: What does it mean to fully live?From the Final Pages of Living Promises
"As you complete the circular journey of the Living Promises, you arrive where you have always been. Every step you have taken and every thought you have held has been its unfolding. And now, as you turn the final page, nothing new has been given—only revealed. As you close this book, you may notice something profound: the Kingdom is not a distant place to be found. It has lived within you from the very beginning.”Pre-Order Your Personally Signed First Edition
Expected to ship November 2026. *Book cover may vary slightly. -
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In 1993, Diamond Mike Watson founded a writing contest in honor of his adoptive mother and the birthmother he had never known. The most creative contestant would receive a diamond. A girl named Margaret claimed her grand prize diamond. Like buried treasure, her enchanting poem sparkled deep within the mound of entries.
Since then, hundreds of thousands of kids have submitted words of love to the Why Mom Deserves a Diamond® contest. The contest is now in honor of all moms, and all those significant in our lives.
Year Highlights- First year of contest
- 7 schools participated
- 9 teachers participated
- 250 essays submitted
- 1 diamond winner
- 53 garnet winners
- Grade levels 9-12
- Maximum words allowed: 100.
“Tell Michael Watson why your mom deserves a diamond, and he might just give you one.” Orange County Register.
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Are you in this book?
Contains all winning essays and unforgettable moments from the 1994 Why Mom Deserves a Diamond® contest.
The second year witnessed remarkable growth as 1,425 children shared why their mothers deserved a diamond. Every page preserves a heartfelt moment between a child and the person who helped shape their life.
Year Highlights
- 1,425 essays received
- 38 schools participated
- Grade level: 7-12
- 1 diamond awarded
- 10 sapphires awarded
- Includes all 211 garnet and sapphire winning essays
Why You'll Love This Edition As participation expanded, so did the diversity of stories, emotions, and unforgettable expressions of love. This volume captures the contest's earliest momentum and growing impact.
“What a gift to the world! Thank you from the bottom of a teacher’s heart!” -Darlene Jagger , teacher.
“The mother of all Mother’s contests.” The Orange County Register.
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Are you in this book?
Contains all winning essays and unforgettable moments from the 1995 Why Mom Deserves a Diamond® contest.
By 1995, more than 2,000 children had joined the celebration. The essays became shorter, more powerful, and even more memorable.
Year Highlights
- 2,016 essays submitted
- 37 schools participated
- Grade levels 4-12
- Maximum words allowed: 70
- 1 diamond awarded
- 40 sapphires awarded
- 350 garnets awarded
- Includes all 391 gemstone winners
Why You'll Love This Edition This collection demonstrates how a few heartfelt words can carry enormous meaning. Every essay is a snapshot of gratitude frozen in time.
Order Today Own a piece of the contest's formative years.
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A landmark year in contest history. For the first time, two students were selected as Orange County diamond winners.
Year Highlights
- 4,675 essays submitted
- 105 schools participated
- First year with two diamond winners
- Grade levels: 2-12
- Maximum words allowed: 45
- 700 garnet winners
- 30 sapphire winners
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Are you in this book?
Contains all winning essays and unforgettable moments from the 1997 Why Mom Deserves a Diamond® contest.
More than 5,000 essays poured in from children eager to honor their mothers.
Year Highlights
- 5,025 essays submitted
- 91 schools participated
- Grade levels 2-12
- Maximum words allowed: 40.
- 2 diamond winners
- Includes all 1,002 winning essays
Why You'll Love This Edition The voices in this volume are heartfelt, humorous, and often surprisingly profound. It showcases a tradition rapidly becoming part of the community.
Positive words are living things. When written, they become real. When spoken, they have the power to heal, encourage, and inspire. Throughout our lives, we remember the beautiful words spoken to us. -Diamond Mike Watson.
Order Today A beautiful keepsake from a year of explosive growth.
“The contest is the most selfless and encouraging I have experienced. On behalf of all the teachers, students, moms, and extended families whose lives you have touched, thank you.” Hilda Sugarman, president. Fullerton Excellence In Education Foundation.
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Are you in this book?
Contains all winning essays and unforgettable moments from the 2011 Why Mom Deserves a Diamond® contest.
For almost two decades, children from across America shared why their mothers mattered.
Year Highlights
- 19,750 essays submitted
- 610 teachers participated
- 8,140 gemstone winners
- First diamond awarded to a first-grade student
- Pink carnation seeds were launched in red balloons
Why You'll Love This Edition A celebration of nearly twenty years of memories, appreciation, and family connections.
Order Today A milestone edition worthy of every collection.
“I really enjoy watching my students labor over their entries for this contest. We all do this from our hearts.” -Robin Williams. Teacher.
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Are you in this book?
Contains all winning essays and unforgettable moments from the 2002 Why Mom Deserves a Diamond® contest.
The Power of Appreciation. This edition showcases the growing maturity and creativity of contest participants.
Year Highlights
- 10,017 essays submitted
- 114 schools participated
- Maximum words allowed: 29
- Grade levels 1-12
- 3 diamonds awarded
- 3,037 gemstone winners
Why You'll Love This Edition A wonderful collection of stories demonstrating how gratitude can be expressed in countless ways.
Order Today Add this inspiring volume to your collection.
”You have not only created fond memories between my children and I, but also embraced me with such a marvelous acknowledgement of my hard work, dedication and love. I feel so humble and honored. You inspire me to be nothing but the best role model and best mother I can be.”- Bich Ngoc Nuyen, winning mom. -
Are you in this book?
Contains all winning essays and unforgettable moments from the 2001 Why Mom Deserves a Diamond® contest.
Thousands of children took time to reflect on the women who shaped their lives.
Year Highlights
- 15,933 essays received
- 103 participating schools
- Maximum words allowed: 29
- 3 diamonds awarded
- 2,800 gemstone winners
Why You'll Love This Edition The essays reveal powerful expressions of appreciation that remain timeless today.
Order Today A treasured volume celebrating the enduring bond between mother and child.
“The greatest tribute to mom in the nation.” -Instore Magazine.“A gift no amount of money can buy.” -The Orange County Register.
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Are you in this book?
Contains all winning essays and unforgettable moments from the 1999 Why Mom Deserves a Diamond® contest.
A national phenomenon emerges. Participation surges as the contest is expanded to Indiana, Texas, and the entire state of California.
Year Highlights
- 14,150 essays submitted
- 116 Orange County schools participated
- Maximum words allowed: 30
- Grade levels 1-12
- 5 diamonds awarded
- 2,380 gemstone winners
Why You'll Love This Edition The stories become broader, richer, and more representative of families from every background.
Order Today Experience the year the contest firmly established its national presence.
“A happy, heart-felt, almost super-human endeavor for a company who wants kids to be sure to tell their moms that they love them.” -Dorothy Jean, Writer.
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Are you in this book?
Contains all winning essays and unforgettable moments from the 1998 Why Mom Deserves a Diamond® contest.
1998 marked a historic breakthrough as the contest expanded beyond Orange County.
Year Highlights
- 10,650 essays submitted
- 97 schools participated
- Grade levels 1-12
- 4 diamonds awarded
- 2,087 gemstone winners
- First national diamond winners
Why You'll Love This Edition This book captures the moment a local tribute transformed into a national movement.
Order Today An essential volume for collectors of contest history.
