# Artificial diamonds?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [May 18, 2009, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846 "2009-05-18T12:38:01Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2009, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/1 "2009-05-18T12:38:01Z")
Some years ago, Wired had an article about a couple processes for growing artificial diamonds. Not cubic Zirconium, but genuine diamonds, pure crystalline carbon. Apparently De Beers and other distributors were quite concerned and starting a legal campaign to force them to add identifying marks so they couldn’t be confused with “real” diamonds. Since then, I have heard nothing. Anybody know what has happened since?
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### Author:  [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2009, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/2 "2009-05-18T13:18:44Z")
> **[Synthetic diamond](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthetic_diamond)**
>
> Lab-grown diamond (LGD; also called laboratory-grown, laboratory-created, man-made, artisan-created, artificial, synthetic, or cultured diamond) is diamond that is produced in a controlled technological process (in contrast to naturally formed diamond, which is created through geological processes and obtained by mining). Unlike diamond simulants (imitations of diamond made of superficially similar non-diamond materials), synthetic diamonds are composed of the same material as naturally forme...
Near the bottom of the wikipedia page, you will see a list of four companies that make them. I see their ads in magazines pretty frequently, so I would guess that there is a market for them.
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### Author:  [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2009, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/3 "2009-05-18T13:21:05Z")
They have made lots of progress and are available for jewelry and industrial use now. Apollo diamond is the major player.
> **[おすすめのプラセンタサプリメント](http://www.apollodiamond.com/)**
>
> 馬プラセンタは一番栄養素が豊富でアミノ酸が豚プラセンタよりも３００倍で必須アミノ酸も６種類含まれています。馬は細菌が繁殖しにくく、飼育環境が厳しいサラブレットのプラセンタなども使用されています。
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### Author:  [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2009, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/4 "2009-05-18T13:22:11Z")
There are companies (or a company) that makes fake rubies. A microscopic examination can determine whether or not the ruby was man made or natural. However, so far as I know, most companies that manufacture synthetic rubies add something to the formula that makes it obvious they aren’t natural.
Odesio
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### Author:  [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2009, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/5 "2009-05-18T13:26:21Z")
A while back I was looking into buying synthetic diamond jewelry as a gift from [Apollo’s store](https://www.shopapollo.com/) but the prices still seemed kinda high… Anyone with more knowledge in jewelry know if their prices are considerably cheaper than natural-diamond jewelry? After all, I thought part of the allure of synthetic diamonds were not only perfect quality, but considerably lower prices…
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### Author:  [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2009, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/6 "2009-05-18T13:45:59Z")
Making diamonds is not a problem. They’ve been making industrial diamonds for decades. Making gem quality diamonds is another matter. As for synthetic rubies, they have military applications.
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### Author:  [@Gus\_Gusterson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gus_Gusterson)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2009, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/7 "2009-05-18T13:50:26Z")
> [@BrandonR](#):
>
> A while back I was looking into buying synthetic diamond jewelry as a gift from [Apollo’s store](https://www.shopapollo.com/) but the prices still seemed kinda high… Anyone with more knowledge in jewelry know if their prices are considerably cheaper than natural-diamond jewelry? After all, I thought part of the allure of synthetic diamonds were not only perfect quality, but considerably lower prices…
Having bought many diamonds for my wife, I’m somewhat qualified to state that the prices for the pieces shown on that site are no less expensive than they would be is they included real diamonds. And the quality of the fake diamonds aren’t that great. Most of the ones listed on that site are of average color and clarity.
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### Author:  [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2009, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/8 "2009-05-18T13:55:29Z")
> [@Quartz](#):
>
> Making gem quality diamonds is another matter. As for synthetic rubies, they have military applications.
I doubt it except to the extent they’d be used for similar civilian purposes, but go ahead and name a few. If you’re going to say lasers, don’t bother; rubies aren’t used for lasers very much anymore. There are much better lasing media for high power solid-state lasers.
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### Author:  [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2009, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/9 "2009-05-18T14:06:14Z")
Just for the record, let’s note that there’s nothing “fake” about synthetic gemstones – they are tetrahedral-lattice carbon (diamond) or corundum (ruby and sapphire) exactly as are the natural stones, barring any trace element admixture to the crystal. They are simply produced synthetically rather than found in nature.
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### Author:  [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2009, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/10 "2009-05-18T14:10:39Z")
> [@Polycarp](#):
>
> Just for the record, let’s note that there’s nothing “fake” about synthetic gemstones – they are tetrahedral-lattice carbon (diamond) or corundum (ruby and sapphire) exactly as are the natural stones, barring any trace element admixture to the crystal. They are simply produced synthetically rather than found in nature.
Yes.
Generally, the way a synthetic gem is determined is by microscopic examination - the “real” gem will have imperfections that the synthetic doesn’t have. In other words, the synthetic gems are less valuable because they are more perfect.
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### Author:  [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2009, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/11 "2009-05-18T14:12:19Z")
So…are they cheaper? I mean, I am not madly in love with diamonds anyway but if Iwas going to get one I’d prefer to get an artificial. But if they are the same price, there remains no reason to get one at all.
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### Author:  [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2009, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/12 "2009-05-18T14:55:53Z")
> [@Anaamika](#):
>
> But if they are the same price, there remains no reason to get one at all.
Many people have ethical issues with “real” diamonds. These relate to the business practices of DeBeers, to the notion of “blood diamonds”, and to materialism in general. Googling, or searching for old GD threads will yield details if you are interested.
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### Author:  [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2009, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/13 "2009-05-18T14:56:30Z")
> [@Q.E.D](#):
>
> I doubt it except to the extent they’d be used for similar civilian purposes, but go ahead and name a few.
They’re used in sensors: they’re very good at filtering light.
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### Author:  [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2009, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/14 "2009-05-18T15:16:16Z")
Diamonds are not rare. They are heavily controlled in quantity and price by Debeers and the diamond consortium. GE came up with the methodology for making synthetic diamonds. I just saw an interview with the GE exec who was in charge of the project. He was able to grow 3 and 4 carat diamonds . Their intention was to start selling them and to undercut the cartel. There was a potential for huge profits. GE and Debeers got together and GE quit making the big ones and their industrial diamonds suddenly went to the same price as the consortium’s industrial diamonds. The exec was fired. Diamond business as usual.
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### Author:  [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2009, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/15 "2009-05-18T15:37:02Z")
There’s also a company that makes diamonds from the carbon of [deceased family members](http://www.thedenverchannel.com/family/7091198/detail.html), so they stay with you forever. Gives family heirlooms a whole new dimension…
“I’d really like you to wear this ring to your wedding. It used to be my grandma.”
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### Author:  [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2009, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/16 "2009-05-18T15:47:02Z")
> [@Kevbo](#):
>
> Many people have ethical issues with “real” diamonds. These relate to the business practices of DeBeers, to the notion of “blood diamonds”, and to materialism in general. Googling, or searching for old GD threads will yield details if you are interested.
Yes, I know all that. I don’t buy diamonds at all, chiefly for the blood diamond reasons, and the business practices of DeBeers. I know there are ways tofind out if a diamond is a blood diamond or not but I can’t be arsed enough to look it up.
However it seems to me that an artificial diamond by default is not a blood diamond. Still, I think diamond are generally a plain gem and would not spend that much money for it, but if an artificial diamond is significantly cheaper…I might consider it.
Clearer?
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### Author:  [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2009, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/17 "2009-05-18T16:10:19Z")
DeBeers isn’t stockpiling diamonds any more, although the Russian government is. But given the economy, even mined diamonds are a lot cheaper than they were last year. So whatever price advantage synthetic diamonds might have had is limited.
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### Author:  [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/18 "2009-05-18T16:33:57Z")
> [@](#):
>
> However, so far as I know, most companies that manufacture synthetic rubies add something to the formula that makes it obvious they aren’t natural.
More like, nature usually adds something to the formula that makes it obvious they aren’t man-made. If you want a gem without any imperfections, defects, or impurities (or more likely, precisely-controlled impurities), you’ve got to make it yourself.
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### Author:  [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2009, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/19 "2009-05-18T16:34:44Z")
> [@gonzomax](#):
>
> Diamonds are not rare. They are heavily controlled in quantity and price by Debeers and the diamond consortium. GE came up with the methodology for making synthetic diamonds. I just saw an interview with the GE exec who was in charge of the project. He was able to grow 3 and 4 carat diamonds . Their intention was to start selling them and to undercut the cartel. There was a potential for huge profits. GE and Debeers got together and GE quit making the big ones and their industrial diamonds suddenly went to the same price as the consortium’s industrial diamonds. The exec was fired. Diamond business as usual.
There is, of course, no evidence to back any of that up. The case against GE was dismissed in 1994 with the US government unable to prove it’s case. Edward Russell was fired for his division’s continued loss of profitability. His complaints about price fixing followed his dismissal and his subsequent law suit. After reaching a settlement with GE, he then changed his story. Not the sort of standard-bearer for truth that I’d trust.
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### Author:  [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2009, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/20 "2009-05-18T16:48:57Z")
I recall a PBS show about DeBeers and basically it was said that the Russians were on the verge of developing a process that would make their artificial diamonds impossible to distinguish from the real thing.
DeBeers simply said that if that should ever happen they would simply put a DeBeers Mark in their diamonds to assure the public that it IS “real” and not manufactured.
So it seems like the opposite of what the original poster said. DeBeers is the one prepared to put a “mark” in their diamonds to assure the public of their origin
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