Children who live in poverty are frequently at risk for underachievement. This is not to say that poverty automatically causes lack of achievement, but being poor can certainly take its toll. Gifted low income students can be compared to diamonds, which can only be formed under conditions of extreme heat and pressure. Both diamonds and impoverished young people have the potential to be brilliant, but in students that brilliance will not be forthcoming unless teachers and parents apply positive pressure in the form of encouragement and strong support. Factors that contribute to poor achievement in low income students include four concentric rings of influence: culture/family, school, social, and psychological. Understanding the four rings of influence should be regarded as important information on which to build. This article presents several recommendations that can help support low income students. (Contains 1 figure.)