# Artificial diamonds? **URL:** \ **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:** 2
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/21 "2009-05-18T17:05:40Z")
> [@Gus\_Gusterson](#): > > 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. It’s my understanding that synthetic diamonds can be made completely flawless, but that it looks so unnatural and “fake” compared to real diamonds, they purposely include inclusions and other minor flaws. Still, if these synthetic diamonds are the same price as natural ones, what is the point? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2009, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/22 "2009-05-18T17:12:30Z")
Watchmakers use synthetic rubies almost exclusively in movements. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2009, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/23 "2009-05-18T17:21:26Z")
Synthetic rubies are **cheap**. You can buy a 1/3" diameter one for [$65](http://www.edmundoptics.com/onlinecatalog/displayproduct.cfm?productID=2050) ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2009, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/24 "2009-05-18T22:42:30Z")
Check valves in HPLC pumps ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2009, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/25 "2009-05-18T22:52:03Z")
> [@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. I couldn’t help but be reminded of those surgically-augmented individuals who bristle at being described as having “fake boobs.” As correct as you are in pointing out the technical inaccuracy of the term, FWIW, for the average person, “not found in nature” = “fake.” ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2009, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/26 "2009-05-18T23:17:00Z")
Except “fake” means “not real”. A fake diamond might look like a diamond, but it isn’t a diamond. Therefore, synthetic diamonds aren’t fake diamonds, they are real diamonds. The comparison to fake boobs is inapt, because fake boobs are constructed of bags filled with saline or silicone rather than engorged fat cells. If we decide that every work of man is “fake”, then your cellphone is a fake cellphone. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2009, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/27 "2009-05-18T23:55:32Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > 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. I don’t think the first part is true, but I’m not doubting the second part. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2009, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/28 "2009-05-18T23:57:35Z")
> [@BrandonR](#): > > It’s my understanding that synthetic diamonds can be made completely flawless, but that it looks so unnatural and “fake” compared to real diamonds, they purposely include inclusions and other minor flaws. I don’t think this is true. The main problem with trying to make synthetic diamonds, so far, is that you can’t seem to grow them really large–say 1 ct. or bigger, AND make them white at the same time. They tend to grow a bit off color(yellow). ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/29 "2009-05-19T00:02:56Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > 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. > [@samclem](#): > > I don’t think the first part is true, but I’m not doubting the second part. Maybe Anaamika was referring to [Kimberly Process Certification](http://diamondfacts.org/conflict/eliminating_conflict_diamonds.html#kim) > [@](#): > > The UN, governments, the diamond industry and non-governmental organizations (such as Global Witness, Amnesty International and Partnership Africa Canada), recognized the need for a global system to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate diamond supply chain and thus helping to fund conflict. > > They developed an agreement called the Kimberley Process, which requires participating governments to ensure that each shipment of rough diamonds be exported/imported in a secure container, accompanied by a uniquely numbered, government-validated certificate stating that the diamonds are from sources free of conflict I found a [2007 AI article](http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/feature-stories/blood-diamonds-are-still-reality-20070123) saying that the Kimberly Process is not 100% effective. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/30 "2009-05-19T00:31:40Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > Therefore, synthetic diamonds aren’t fake diamonds, they are real diamonds. You’re completely ignoring the point of my post, which was that to the layperson _fake_, _artificial_ and _synthetic_ are synonyms, regardless of how pedantically we may point out their fine distinctions. > [@](#): > > If we decide that every work of man is “fake”, then your cellphone is a fake cellphone. Yes, but thankfully most languages weed out that kind of ludicrous redundancy. Manmade items are inherently artificial/synthetic/fake. ---
**Author:** ![Vlad\_Igor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Vlad\_Igor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vlad_Igor)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/31 "2009-05-19T00:34:24Z")
> [@Sigene](#): > > Check valves in HPLC pumps Not to mention the sapphire push rods. How many hours have I spent rebuilding pumps fitted with synthetic gem stone material… ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/32 "2009-05-19T00:43:56Z")
So tires made with artifical rubber are “fake” tires? ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/33 "2009-05-19T02:31:00Z")
Is synthetic motor oil fake motor oil? No, it’s real motor oil that can really be used to lubricate a motor. Fake motor oil implies that although it looks like motor oil it really isn’t motor oil and if you tried to use it like motor oil it would fail. A fake diamond is something that looks like a diamond but isn’t. A cubic zirconia is a fake diamond. A manmade diamond isn’t fake. It’s really a diamond. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/34 "2009-05-19T02:38:34Z")
> [@Vlad\_Igor](#): > > Not to mention the sapphire push rods. How many hours have I spent rebuilding pumps fitted with synthetic gem stone material… Yeah, and every new lab tech expects to see a giant blue gem when they open the pump up. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/35 "2009-05-19T02:45:31Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > Is synthetic motor oil fake motor oil? No, it’s real motor oil that can really be used to lubricate a motor. Fake motor oil implies that although it looks like motor oil it really isn’t motor oil and if you tried to use it like motor oil it would fail. > > A fake diamond is something that looks like a diamond but isn’t. A cubic zirconia is a fake diamond. A manmade diamond isn’t fake. It’s really a diamond. Dude, will you explain to me what part of > [@](#): > > You’re completely ignoring the point of my post, which was that **to the layperson** fake, artificial and synthetic are synonyms, regardless of how pedantically we may point out their fine distinctions. is giving you a problem? I’ve even added emphasis this time. Your argument is not with me, **Lemur866** , so let it rest. Your argument is with common usage. ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/36 "2009-05-19T03:25:45Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > I don’t think this is true. > > The main problem with trying to make synthetic diamonds, so far, is that you can’t seem to grow them really large–say 1 ct. or bigger, AND make them white at the same time. They tend to grow a bit off color(yellow). Chemical Vapor Deposition does it. I don’t know how big the giamonds can get, but they are definitely clear. The previously mentioned Apollo Diamonds makes them. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/37 "2009-05-19T11:55:28Z")
> [@kidchameleon](#): > > 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. In 2004 Debeers pleaded guilty and paid a 10 million dollar fine to settle a charge that Debeers colluded with G.E. to fix the price of industrial diamonds. Yep, no evidence at all. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/38 "2009-05-19T12:01:39Z")
I read that colorless diamonds are much harder to make than pink/yellow/blue diamonds. I see that now you can by synthetic colorless ones, but at first it was only colored ones. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/39 "2009-05-19T15:48:23Z")
> [@](#): > > Yeah, and every new lab tech expects to see a giant blue gem when they open the pump up. For the record, pure sapphire is colorless, and depending on impurities, can be any color except red. And the only reason a sapphire can’t be red is that if it is, it’s called a ruby instead. I’m not sure why sapphire is particularly associated with blue… Maybe that’s the most common color? ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846/40 "2009-05-19T18:04:44Z")
Are emeralds also chemically the same as rubies and sapphires, but green instead of red or blue? Or are emeralds a different mineral entirely? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-diamonds/496846.md?page=3)