Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Wolfowitz and DeBeers; no connection
I read a gloomy article in the CSM about a new UN report on the damage that is being done to the planet earth by its chronic human infestation. The report said that 25% of the earth’s surface is now being used for agriculture, and 60% of this agriculture is done in an unsustainable manner. Species extinctions are on the rise, cod fisheries are depleted, and Paul Wolfowitz wants to chair the world bank. Heady stuff.
I found information about the new synthetic (cultured) diamonds manufactured by Gamesis and Apollo Diamonds. These cultured diamonds are identical to the real thing. Same on the crystal shape, same on the Moh’s hardness scale, identical in appearance to where even master gemologists cannot tell the difference.
Sensing their empire slipping, DeBeers has supposedly developed a “black box” that will be able to detect the difference. This device when released will be too expensive for jewelers and will be installed in gemology labs instead. People who want to know if it is a real diamond or a cultured one will likely have to go to the lab to have their gems certified. My question is, if the cultured gem is identical, what difference does it make if it is real or not? (Only devaluation of all currency that is based on the highly expensive natural diamonds.) I wonder if DeBeers labs are going to have a giant wizard of oz type set-up: “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.”.)
All this has led to the naturally flawed diamonds having a higher value than the perfect cultured ones. Living proof of the veracity of Gresham's law. As Johnny Hart said in his comic strip "B.C.", would diamonds be as valuable if they looked like raisins?
Perhaps more.
I found information about the new synthetic (cultured) diamonds manufactured by Gamesis and Apollo Diamonds. These cultured diamonds are identical to the real thing. Same on the crystal shape, same on the Moh’s hardness scale, identical in appearance to where even master gemologists cannot tell the difference.
Sensing their empire slipping, DeBeers has supposedly developed a “black box” that will be able to detect the difference. This device when released will be too expensive for jewelers and will be installed in gemology labs instead. People who want to know if it is a real diamond or a cultured one will likely have to go to the lab to have their gems certified. My question is, if the cultured gem is identical, what difference does it make if it is real or not? (Only devaluation of all currency that is based on the highly expensive natural diamonds.) I wonder if DeBeers labs are going to have a giant wizard of oz type set-up: “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.”.)
All this has led to the naturally flawed diamonds having a higher value than the perfect cultured ones. Living proof of the veracity of Gresham's law. As Johnny Hart said in his comic strip "B.C.", would diamonds be as valuable if they looked like raisins?
Perhaps more.
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Synthetic diamonds while having identical optical and physical values to the natural have other characteristics which aid in identification. One important aspect is that: THEY DON'T HAVE NATURAL INCLUSIONS! They don't look natural and they have inclusions which are diagnostic of synthesis. I can't provide a detailed lecture here, but rest assured that the GIA trained people inhale every bit of research about these stones and can't wait to loupe them at the trade shows.
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