Cycle 2187. Lab-grown diamonds dominate 100% of the global gem market. Natural diamonds haven't been mined in 40 years. "Real" is now a slur. "Rare" has been removed from the educational curriculum.

Bureau-certified professionals trained to verify synthetic origin compliance. Most have never held a natural diamond. The ones who have are monitored. The ones who remember are reassigned.

An underground network. They collect natural diamonds not for wealth — but for memory. Bureau intelligence describes them as "emotionally motivated." They consider that a compliment.

The Synthetic Compliance Bureau. Founded to "protect citizens from deceptive gem practices." Natural diamonds are not illegal. They are classified as "unverifiable emotional hazards." The distinction is important. The outcome is the same.

Giving a synthetic diamond is "responsible love." Giving a natural one is a social disturbance. Giving one without Bureau disclosure is a Class 3 offense. There are 847 billion carats available. There is no reason to go looking for something real. There is nothing to find.

The last person trained in natural diamond science. She knows where they come from. She knows what they mean. She carries one. She hasn't stopped moving in three years. The Bureau describes her as dangerous. What she knows is that rarity was never accidental — it was the point.