Diamonds are forever, but this doc will steal 58 minutes you'll never regret.
Sparkling diamonds. Exquisite emeralds. Brilliant rubies. Shimmering pearls. For centuries, these precious gems have captured humankind, leading men and women to give up fortunes - even their lives - to possess them. Join National Geographic on a journey around the globe to discover the origins of these most coveted gems. You'll see astonishing amounts of earth mined to uncover rubies in Thailand or emeralds in Colombia. You'll meet a Tennessee businessman who cultivates freshwater pearls and a California chemist who 'grows' rubies nearly identical to nature's stunning creations. And you'll witness rarely, if ever before, filmed sales of uncut diamonds - deals worth thousands of dollars sealed only with a handshake and a Hebrew phrase. Unlock a treasure chest filled with a wealth of information and the dazzling beauty of Splendid Stones.
Cinematography
Macro shots of gems that'll make you understand why people lose their minds.
Production
That classic NatGeo access: underground mines, secret diamond deals, pearl farms.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This doc captures the tail end of pre-CGI documentary filmmaking, when every shiny rock required actual patience and film stock to capture.
Richard Kiley narrated this between Broadway runs—he's the voice you trust even when he's describing literal rocks for an hour.
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