Why Mom Deserves a Diamond contest  The "Why Mom Deserves a Diamond" contest is an American essay contest founded by Michael (Diamond Mike) Watson in Costa Mesa, California in 1993. The contest was established in honor of Watson's adoptive mother and the birth mother he had never known. In a limited amount of words, children are asked to write essays explaining why their mother deserves a diamond. Hundreds of thousands of American children have participated, and dozens of kids have won the grand prize of a diamond to give to their mothers (and other precious gems). On Mother’s Day, May 9, 1993, sophomore Margaret Ketchersid from Edison High School in Huntington Beach, California was awarded the grand prize of a quarter-carat diamond to give to her mother, Ruth. Following is her winning essay. Her love is not blind - it is clear and forgiving Her touch is all-knowing - her joy life giving This angel, my mother, gives of herself And illuminates me with compassion’s true wealth  A symbol of courage and strength she remains And understands all my joys and pains To gaze at my mother, who strives beyond duty Is to see radiate her unique, warming beauty! The sweet voice of mother - her strong, safe, embrace I long to possess her pure, natural, grace My Mother, my guide, and gemstone so rare Deserves out of likeness a diamond as fair"  Michael (Diamond Mike) Watson was born and adopted in Indianapolis in 1958. He spent his early life in New Albany, where his adopted parents raised him. The foundation of the contest began while Watson was searching for his own birth mother when he was 17. [Source: “For the Love of Mom.” Daily Pilot. April 30, 1992.] About the same time he started his quest, Watson entered the jewelry industry as an errand boy for a store in New Albany. He joined a retail chain and worked in jewelry stores in Indiana, Kentucky and Kansas City, then moved to California in 1989. [Source: “Watson Strikes Gold with Diamond Shop.” Tribune. August 6, 1992.] His first job ended when the store was sold and the next one when the store went out of business. In 1991, Watson opened Gallery of Diamonds Jewelers in Costa Mesa, California. [Source: “Mother’s Day Contest Builds Business and Goodwill.” Jewelers Circular Keystone. April 1996.] Watson obtained a copy of his hospital bill from Community Hospital, which showed his mother's name (Betty Price) and age.