Synthetic Diamonds
 

The real problem, of course, is PR. "Oh honey, it's so beautiful! Is it a real diamond?" "Well, it's not a natural one, darling. But it sure was cheap."

Try selling that one to the new in-laws.

QE
 

Forgive me oh pretty one. I should have made it clear I was talking about other Minnesota guys. Like Bilmore -- maybe they could make him look good enough to deserve the Baguette. Do they have super powers?

But not you. Your wardrobe, style and general panache would put any gay man to shame. Though there is that one outfit that might render the QE wardrobe guy quite speechless.

QE
 

I am wounded.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

"Of course it is. Why would I get you a fake one?"

Anyway, it sounds like these are real diamonds, just not mined diamonds.

So maybe the answer should be: "Of course it is, although it didn't require the labor of exploited africans to mine."

Synthetic Diamonds
 

Easy as hell. DeBeers is such a beautiful target that after explaining how you avoided continuing to the cycle of exploitation of labor and a monopoly that has artificially driven up prices for the last 100 years or so, you'll be seen as a hero for refusing to take part in the scam they've been running on Americans for the last 50 plus years. I'd be delighted to get a rock that didnt' have the DeBeers taint on it. I'd be equally delighted to have more cash for our wedding or the down payment on our home.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

That's true; synthetic diamonds bring to the surface what has been the nasty truth of diamonds since DeBeer's marketed them as valuable: they have little inherent value and aren't scarce.

They're desirable because they look nice, but they're expensive only because their supply has been controlled by a cartel engaging in some activity illegal in most countries of the world (price fixing, collusion, etc.) and some activity illegal in almost all countries of the world (murder, rape, terrorism, etc.).

I have always been perturbed by consumer demand for things without prices directly related to what I perceive to be valid utility. Clearly, many people get utility out of diamonds just because they are worth what they are worth. While I agree that diamonds have significant utility based on their appearance, and I have no problem with that, the fact that they have additional utility to many people based solely on marketing and price disgusts me.

I would think it was great if a woman told me that she wanted an engagement ring without diamonds, even if it cost the same as or more than a diamond ring. And if you could get an exquisitly beautiful ring with a nice-sized synthetic diamond for less than what the ring would cost with a price-inflated natural diamond, all the better.

I've always been disturbed by the ways that giving a diamond ring for engagement is tied up in concepts of spending a lot of money, to prove one's love, and doing what everyone else does, to prove one's love. Those two things, to me, seem to be materialism at its most naked.

I'm not trying to impugne diamond lovers, of course. To each his or her own. I'm just annoyed that the industry-created party line is, "You don't love her if you can afford a nice, expensive diamond and don't give her one." and that so many people buy into that.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

That's exactly right. In fact, I would prefer to have a synthetic diamond manufactured in Sarasota (how perfect is that, the only factory in Sarasota makes diamonds), than the "real" diamonds I already have and will continue to acquire.

Even(I love things that sparkle)Odds

Synthetic Diamonds
 

Favorite quote from the General:

"If you give a woman a choice between a 2-carat stone and a 1-carat stone and everything else is the same, including the price, what's she gonna choose?" he demands. "Does she care if it's synthetic or not? Is anybody at a party going to walk up to her and ask, 'Is that synthetic?' There's no way in hell. So I'll bite your ass if she chooses the smaller one."

Sounds like he may be bucking for the Fab 5.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

I consider myself a romantic sap to the Nth degree as well as a jewelry freak. Even so, I could see circumstances where I would think a CZ would be a good idea. A small diamond looks rEdiculous on my hand and makes my stubby fingers look more so. Therefore I need a good sized rock. But I would hate to have that much money invested in a ring if it meant having big unpaid student loans or not owning a house. And when it comes to money, I'd rather have a larger good quality CZ in a great setting than a tiny diamond on a little band. The couple never has to tell anyone it isn't real.

Fortunately for the future Mr. Fugee (wherever he may be -- paging Hank from Cupid, do you want to be a boytoy hubbie?) I already have the Manor and no school loans. So he can go for broke on the ring. And I have it all picked out.

http://www.veberodgemgallery.com/ima...ring_small.gif

Synthetic Diamonds
 

I despise DeBeers and their looting. But again, try explaining to your fiance that you want say, fake gold wedding bands because they're cheaper than and just as pretty as real ones. Why even bother? Either put the money towards something sensible, or get say inexpensive, pretty but genuine silver ones.

I love costume jewelry done well. But not so much I'd necessarily want to wear one piece of it in a classic design every day for the rest of my life--the fun is in its timeliness of design and expendability when you get bored.

Edited to add, I even love costume jewelry done badly. Even talentless cheap hacks get points for aspiring to beauty!

Synthetic Diamonds
 

From what I know of the internal structure of these things, I don't think it's right to call them "fakes". They are, in fact, true diamonds. So, why would anyone feel the need to tell a recipient that they were other than "real"?

Synthetic Diamonds
 

He can bite whatever person's ass -- I'd rather have the one carat. I think 2-carats (or pretty much anything over 1) look awfully big (in an unattractive way; kind of like faddy costume jewelry) unless the wearer is of amazonian proportions.

News Flash
 

Marlon Brando is the grandfather of Courtney Love.

[required link]

Synthetic Diamonds
 

I referred to them as "natural" in my first post and I agree "naturally occurring" vs. 'manufactured' are more accurate than 'real' or fake'. But if the giver doesn't think it will matter to his/her recipient, why feel the need to hide it?

Synthetic Diamonds
 

I'd get one, except that I'm not to keen on the yellow color.
Gemesis web site

Synthetic Diamonds
 

Interesting. From the FAQ:

"Why does Gemesis grow yellow diamonds?
Demand and interest for fancy colored diamonds has grown dramatically over the past several years. In the diamond market, yellows have received unprecedented interest and attention. Because of this consumer interest in yellow diamonds, Gemesis has focused our development, manufacturing and marketing efforts on this beautiful color."

So, has DeBeers paid them off to stay out of the white diamond market?

Yellow diamonds, I thought, were traditionally not suitable as engagement rings, but rather as additional adornments for later-in-life gifts.

B_R_C?

Synthetic Diamonds
 

When selecting, say, a pair of diamond earrings, are you driven by the product or the price?

For example, if this synthetic diamond thing gets hot and causes DeBeer's to illegally fix their prices at a lower level, would you choose (a) the same earrings you would have otherwise chosen at a lower price or (b) earrings otherwise the same but with bigger diamonds and the same price?

Synthetic Diamonds
 

Apparently, they started with producing yellow diamonds because they are more rare and therefore more expensive. (Wired mentioned that Kobe's $4M ring purchase was for a "pink" diamond, as I recall.)

Stay tuned. Soon the startups will move to plain ol' clear, perfect diamonds, and we can watch DeBeers move straight from annoyance to conniption.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

The article said that it takes longer to manufacture the colorless diamonds, and since the (natural) yellow ones are fairly popular (and less abundent) these days, it made sense to market them first.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

For me, it's not the money saved. I'm with fringey on big diamonds. I'm looking simply at the difference between the synthetic and the natural. There's no chemical or physical difference, and if you're going to have a diamond, why not have one with no guilt attached? These aren't "fake" diamonds, but they are manufactured. I don't have a problem with that.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

They had mentioned the clear ones take longer and the colored ones are hotter at this point.

And what of the Boston variety, where they are only distinguishable from "real" diamonds through their perfection? I think this will make a good movie when DeBeers has all of these guys killed off.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

I think I would pay more for a non-DeBeers, non-blood diamond.

If the price of DB's diamonds drop, I would probably stick with the same earring at a lower price. Since I don't play in the NBA, there is only so large a diamond earring should be.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

I'm confused. If that's so, and this is so: "That's exactly right. In fact, I would prefer to have a synthetic diamond manufactured in Sarasota (how perfect is that, the only factory in Sarasota makes diamonds), than the "real" diamonds I already have and will continue to acquire."

,why would you continue to acquire "real", non-synthetic diamonds? The synthetic ones will be cheaper and without guilt.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

Which gemstones are truly rare and/or are priced according to efficient supply/demand market conditions?

My best friend's GF told me (I'm sure as a hint) that she does NOT want a diamond, but would prefer a different stone...

Synthetic Diamonds
 

I read your hypo to pose DB diamond prices dropping. Not half-priced manufactureds. My mistake.

Edited to add: my point is, I think manufactureds will be more desireable than mined diamonds.

Relationship Mistakes
 

Throw Coltrane into the mix as well. Burger, Hand and Coltrane.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

I'd hock the tacky diamond and buy a good divorce lawyer and man-candy with the money instead.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

The quote was JLo's ring I think. Nevertheless, your point of alternate use of proceeds remains valid...

Synthetic Diamonds
 

I believe high-quality rubies are actually quite rare. But I have no idea if they are subject to the same monopolistic hoarding that diamonds are that drives up the price.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

Please please keep this straight...J-Ho's engagement ring is a pink diamond. Kobe bought his wife a purple guilt ring.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

J-Ho's going to need a divorce lawyer too anyway. She should just keep one on retainer--might have to sell some more of her jewelry though.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

I bet plenty of people would do this.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

I think both are likely to happen: half-price manufactureds will happen, and they'll cause DeBeer's prices to drop.

So, let's say you can today buy a 1 carat ring of X quality for Y dollars, and that ring represents the break-even point in utility for you: it's worth the same utility to you to have Y dollars as it would be to have that ring.

If, in one year, you can get

(a) a 1.5 carat ring of X quality for Y dollars with a DB stone;

(b) a 2 carat ring of X quality for Y dollars with a synthetic stone;

(c) a 1 carat ring of X quality for Z (which is <Y) dollars with a DB stone; or

(d) a 1 carat ring of X quality for W (which is <Z<Y) dollars with a synthetic stone;

which would you buy?

This changes the hypo, but I'm just curious what people's motivations are for the purchasing choices they make.

This all goes to my research on how otherwise intelligent, independent, successful women make a lot of life and consumer choices today based on feelings and beliefs which have been programmed into them by a society which has been historically male dominated and dedicated, in some ways, to keeping women "in their roles" and otherwise repressing them. Although, when I put it that way, it makes me sound very paternalistic, which I don't think I am, honey.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

It would be, but there isn't a ring on this earth she could hock that would buy her some man-candy (no matter how hot she thinks her avatar makes her).

Thurgreed(she should probably start loading up on synthetic cats now)Marshall

Synthetic Diamonds
 

I agree, especially here in Big D where the snoots will always find a way to separate themselves. I just liked the ass-biting quote from the general.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

I told the SO that if he wanted, he could return the ring and get me an authentic reproduction of J-Ho-s ring for $39.95. Even if it were real, I still wouldn't wear it. Just another example of how expensive doesn't equal tasteful. Heck, for as much as the ring cost, Ben should gave bought the reproduction.

Like Fringey, I would take the 1 carat over 2. I have freakishly small hands, though. But I am not a carnie, nor do I smell of cabbage.

Merging threads... on BB4: WHat did you all think of the Erica/I want to be JHo thing? The pink boots were disturbing, and someone in their 30s trying to be Jlo seems wrong.



Osbournes Season Finale Spoiler






Did anyone else catch it: I fell for it hook, line and sinker. I really believed that Jack killed the dog. That was pretty well acted on everyone's part.

OTOH, it makes me realize the possibility that reality TV might not be totally authentic. How sad.

But I'm Feeling Much Better Now
 

I am sure you are at least curious.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

Some of the stuff was somewhat tacky, but I thought she pulled it all off reasonably well. The pink boots and the pink hat seemed strangely appropriate; it's a goofy reality show, after all.

I like the way that she dressed in the house better than anyone else. Everyone else wears, except during the times when they're on camera talking to Julie or in some competitions, swimsuits or athletic clothes all the time. And the guys seem to always be shirtless. Is it that hot in the house? I think it's cool that Erika wears non-athetic clothes and plays around with what she wears. Who is someone like Allison to rip on her? She looks like shit wearing that dress of Erika's that she wore sometime.

And, personally, I find Erika the hottest, most interesting and most intelligent person in the house, so that doesn't hurt either. A little mindless idolization of pop culture stars isn't that bad every once in a while.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

Men are so lucky this doesn't happen to them.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

Isn't JLo herself in her 30s?