General Discussion

waddirum

(1,005 posts)

33. synthetic diamonds are actually quite stunning

Mon Jan 16, 2012, 06:44 PM

Jan 2012

Synthetic diamonds are 100% real carbon diamonds, only they are manufactured rather than mined. They are completely indistinguishable to the naked eye. Only a professional using a high-powered jewlers loop can tell they're manufactured, by noticing the ABSENCE of flaws (real diamonds will have some flaws in the lattice).

The true benefit of manufacturing diamonds is in its industrial value. Carbon diamonds are the best known thermal and electrical insulators. Imagine being able to manufacture a computer chip using diamonds instead of silicon. You'd be able to have scorching hot computer power, since the chips could handle the thermal load.

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Considering a ring for your spouse? How about a synthetic diamond? Opinions? [View all] Zalatix Jan 2012 OP

Or you could just dig up your own diamond MadHound Jan 2012 #1

Now that sounds like an educational field trip! Thanks! Zalatix Jan 2012 #15

That's what I was going to say! xmas74 Jan 2012 #23

Even if you don't happen to find one, KamaAina Jan 2012 #29

This has come up before and many SheilaT Jan 2012 #2

Actually it's better if both spouses have similar views on diamonds. Zalatix Jan 2012 #14

If you want diamonds, go Canadian... Bluenorthwest Jan 2012 #32

synthetic diamonds are actually quite stunning waddirum Jan 2012 #33

Mine is a family ring JustAnotherGen Jan 2012 #3

Well, they're not worth as much (which is stupid) Warpy Jan 2012 #4

Face-centered cubic carbon crystals are very hard to make without impurities FarCenter Jan 2012 #5

i have a Diamonique ring. DesertFlower Jan 2012 #6

Maine tourmaline mainer Jan 2012 #7

41 years ago my husband wanted DesertFlower Jan 2012 #8

My Mom (and many Montana women) opted for a Yogo sapphire from Montana - profits stay in Montana :) LiberalLoner Jan 2012 #9

I tried to convince my wife that a russian lab diamond was the same. Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #10

I would be sad if my husband got me a real diamond ring renate Jan 2012 #11

I prefer garnets, the deep red ones mitchtv Jan 2012 #12

For stones other than diamond... pipi_k Jan 2012 #54

We decided to forgo a gemstone altogether tkmorris Jan 2012 #13

Why do liberals have to be the ones to make them? They're already being made ... Honeycombe8 Jan 2012 #16

I meant buy them and popularize them, not make them. Zalatix Jan 2012 #19

I understand the concept behind jewelry of all kinds TlalocW Jan 2012 #17

i wear silver and semi precious stones DesertFlower Jan 2012 #26

i love silver, too. larimar's my favorite... bedazzled Jan 2012 #53

Here's a site that will give you an idea of pricing for various types of stones FarCenter Jan 2012 #18

Saw a news item recently about some woman who had Skidmore Jan 2012 #20

That's creepy and cool at the same time! Quantess Jan 2012 #49

I give my wife a ring everyday! B Calm Jan 2012 #21

I didn't even get a diamond ring. Neoma Jan 2012 #22

Look into other stones, along with diamonds. xmas74 Jan 2012 #24

Diamonds are a scam Orangepeel Jan 2012 #25

I would consider a sapphire CrawlingChaos Jan 2012 #27

My engagement ring was a sapphire, SheilaT Jan 2012 #47

Colored stones are prettier. Manifestor_of_Light Jan 2012 #28

good for republicans, synthetic love Demonaut Jan 2012 #30

I love alexandrites. Puglover Jan 2012 #31

Real alexandrite is very rare and extremely expensive REP Jan 2012 #38

Cheaper yes. But diamonds are so artificially inflated. Puglover Jan 2012 #42

If the couple wanted they could chose any kind of stone - or a ring with no stone at all karynnj Jan 2012 #34

I wouldn't dare buy my wife-to-be anything but the real thing Aerows Jan 2012 #35

I've always thought diamond engagement rings were ridiculous LiberalEsto Jan 2012 #36

+1000 Zalatix Jan 2012 #43

i remember a young woman i worked DesertFlower Jan 2012 #44

Wouldn't surprise me if half the diamonds De Beers called "blood diamonds" were synthetic. hunter Jan 2012 #37

If I felt the need to get one, I'd get a fake. LeftyMom Jan 2012 #39

synthetics require alot of energy to create quaker bill Jan 2012 #40

More energy than sifting through tons and tons of sand or digging deep holes in solid rock? hunter Jan 2012 #48

Possibly so - possibly not quaker bill Jan 2012 #50

Maybe if you really wanted to break up but wanted it to be her idea..... Edweird Jan 2012 #41

The diamond industry is an overpriced cartel. Odin2005 Jan 2012 #45

K&R Great idea! nt Zorra Jan 2012 #46

18 years ago MissB Jan 2012 #51

I love Moissanite pipi_k Jan 2012 #52

buy an antique. mopinko Jan 2012 #55

I agree with this iwillalwayswonderwhy Jan 2012 #56

Sure...and plastic flowers for the wedding! (eom) CanSocDem Jan 2012 #57

If I were to buy a diamond FreeJoe Jan 2012 #58

My birthstone is a peridot LibertyLover Jan 2012 #59

Another way of looking at FreeJoe Jan 2012 #60

I'm a gem person- emeralds. ceile Jan 2012 #61