>

Considering scientists have found over a thousand alternatives to DNA, all carbon-based, maybe it's just life that's valuable.
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Very true. 
There are four "green sand" beaches in the world.  The green comes from olivine (peridot) mixed in with the sand.  Tiny crystals, to be sure, but plentiful. >

Even without considering other planets, diamonds are not all that rare compared to other gemstones. The De Beers company used a number of methods, some rather shady and unsavory, to artificially inflate their value. >

We can also artificially make diamonds. Can't artificially make insects trapped in amber >

I mean…you can… >

Exactly. That's what Tuesday afternoons are for. >

Or perhaps the DNA itself is the true value? Perhaps varied DNA samples are cosmic currency, that would make earth a giant bank…..