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From: Steve Long [mailto:longsteven@...]

> ::: tossing up an idea ::: Many precious stones are
> a side-effect of vulcanism. deBeers might find
> something interesting to do under Olympus Mons.

As soon as we learn that such Martian jewels exist, they can enter the
discussion. Until then, they really shouldn't.

Let me put it this way. If Gerard O'Neill has proposed orbital
habitats, and then when asked what the settlers would be doing for a
living, said, "Gee, I dunno, maybe there are diamonds floating around in
HEO that they could go out, scoop up, and sell," what would the reaction
have been?

Regards,

Mike Combs