in the clandestine world of diamond trading, before the era of open certification, traders often had to disavow any prior knowledge of a diamond's origins. this pre-initiation of a deal, where information was scarce and trust was paramount, required parties to reinitiate discussions with a fresh perspective, focusing solely on the quality and value of the gem at hand. this secretive nature gave way to a fascinating and complex market, shaping the diamond industry into what it is today.