$5 a carat diamonds!

[a2k]

Like the rest of us that are following this thread, I read the Wired article and others linked here with great interest. It's always fascinating when technology rips apart an entire industry. We've seen it over and over again, from steam power to combustion, tube to solid state transistor, pre-press to desktop publishing, and now diamonds. Intel might even get a run for their money by some new start-up that beats them to market with a diamond chip.

And like most of you, I am a fan of entrepreneurism and see cartels like DeBeers as the enemy of a free market. I don't feel comfortable sinking a huge chunk of change into some rock that is valuable because they say it's valuable, and I don't like the idea that some Dutch broker is getting rich off the back of some miner because he controls supply. It's gonna be interesting, and I've already discussed these unfolding events with my girlfriend (who, someday, I hope I might be lucky enough to marry).

Do I want to save a few thousand bucks on an engagement ring? Well, on first thought, abso-freakin-lutely! I don't buy into the "diamond is forever", and I see the tradition of women wearing a diamond as a symbol of self valuation as pretty sick. On second thought, though, I really do want to make sure that when I get married, it's a lifelong commitment that I've thought through. I want to have crossed deserts and climbed mountains as a test of my commitment. I want to have starved and suffered in all of the hot deals I'll have to miss as I save $$$ to cross the hurdles to her heart and to prove to myself, her, and the world that I have made a choice, taken it very seriously, and committed myself to it. Right now, the diamond provides that hurdle, and I see that hurdle as a good thing. I'm no family values guy, but having grown up in a fragmented home, I think we're all better off if we can avoid divorce.

On second thought, perhaps this isn't such a good place to save a few bucks... Bring on that diamond CPU!

 

[OneCheapBastard]

In case anyone is interested in the Linares patent on making a monocrystalline diamond using the vapor deposition process, the patent application # is 20030131787.

You can go to www.us-patent-search.com and download the entire patent for free. Which in itself is a hot deal since the government does give them out but extorts people for public information.

 

[aldamon]

Originally posted by: hookitup
I said in my last post that my points were MY opinions.

Don't kid yourself. There's a reason "your opinions" mirror DeBeers' marketing efforts over the last 100+ years.

Originally posted by: a2k


I want to have starved and suffered in all of the hot deals I'll have to miss as I save $$$ to cross the hurdles to her heart and to prove to myself, her, and the world that I have made a choice, taken it very seriously, and committed myself to it. Right now, the diamond provides that hurdle, and I see that hurdle as a good thing. I'm no family values guy, but having grown up in a fragmented home, I think we're all better off if we can avoid divorce.

On second thought, perhaps this isn't such a good place to save a few bucks... Bring on that diamond CPU!

Believe me, there are enough REAL hurdles to cross in marriage to keep you occupied. You don't need artificial and inflated hurdles like the price of diamonds.

 

[Battlehammer]

For curiosity I asked about pricing/diamond type info for gemesis yellow diamonds .....

Pricing and Diamond Types

Color: Fancy Yellow, Fancy Intense Yellow, Fancy Vivid Yellow If you are unsure of the color, please state ?Yellow.? (We do not produce White.)

Pricing: MSRP is $3250 per carat for diamonds 1.0 carats and greater and $1750.00 per carat for diamonds under 1.0 carat


Carats: Our diamonds our available from 0.10 up to 1.75 carats in fancy shapes. Ideal cut round diamonds are available from 0.10 to 1.25 carats.

Cut: Round Brilliant, Princess, Oval, Marquis, Pear, Asscher, Emerald, Cushion

Clarity: SI, (Slightly Included), VS (very slightly included)

 

[deeznuts]

Whew. Almost spent close to $20k on a diamond ring a couple months ago. Plans changed, so I didn't end up buying it. I woulda been pissed lol.

 

[huesmann]

Originally posted by: hookitup

And in my opinion, diamonds are covered in blood.

Ok, I'll stop. But, one rebuttle to the above quote. So is coal.

Er, people don't murder each other over coal. Nor do they fight wars to control coal mines. Plus, if you happen to find a vein of coal on your property you can sell it to whomever you please.

Now cell phones (coltan), that's another story.

 

[labgeek]

In case anyone is interested in the Linares patent on making a monocrystalline diamond using the vapor deposition process, the patent application # is 20030131787.

You can go to www.us-patent-search.com and download the entire patent for free. Which in itself is a hot deal since the government does give them out but extorts people for public information.

Garbage.


The USPTO maintains a complete online searchable database of patents from 1790 to present. No signup is needed. The patent number is 6,582,513 and was issued June 24, 2003. It can be seen here:

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/search-adv.htm&r=22&f=G&l=50&d=ptxt&S1=(monocrystalline+AND+diamond)&OS=monocrystalline+and+diamond&RS=(monocrystalline+AND+diamond)

You do not need to "sign up" to get patent information nor are you ever exhtorted.

 

[hookitup]

Er, people don't murder each other over coal. Nor do they fight wars to control coal mines

You really must not know anything about coal mining. We (still, yes still) rely upon coal for industry and coal mining is the #1 most dangerous career in the U.S. Heard of "Bloody Harlan"? No, prolly not.

 

[SweetBaboo]

wow
i didn't expect to see this thread grow this much

i also see why hookitup is only a junior member and wonder why he even comes to this board if he just wants to throw his money away

 

[Nitzylpick]

hookitup -

First of all stop calling them "fake diamonds".

Webster's dictionary defines:

fake as "one that is not what it purports to be: as a : a worthless imitation passed off as genuine" and

diamond as "native crystalline carbon that is usually nearly colorless, that when transparent and free from flaws is highly valued as a precious stone, and that is used industrially as an abrasive powder and in rock drills because of its great hardness; also : a piece of this substance b : crystallized carbon produced artificially"

If you agree with this definition of a diamond then to call these fake is incorrect. They are genuine diamonds as they have the same atomic structure.


Next, the real situation would go something like this:

Spend $1500 on a small diamond with decent properties or a bit larger with much worse properties (visible inclusions, etc.)

OR

Spend less than $1500 on a big cultured diamond that has no imperfections and great properties. A woman may say she wants natural but at the same price point show her what she gets with a natural vs. cultured and I would wager that she'll take the bigger diamond every freakin' time.

Look at pearls as an example, cultured (man-made or fake as you would therefore call them) are well accepted by women.

 

[Greg03]

If you are over 20, you have seen this story surface every 5 years. Each time the same result - it reads like a popular science article -- in 4 years, the world will change. Well I've seen enough of these article to laugh them off. C'mon guys how gullible are you?

 

[Leejai]

Originally posted by: a2k


I want to have starved and suffered in all of the hot deals I'll have to miss as I save $$$ to cross the hurdles to her heart and to prove to myself, her, and the world that I have made a choice, taken it very seriously, and committed myself to it. Right now, the diamond provides that hurdle, and I see that hurdle as a good thing. I'm no family values guy, but having grown up in a fragmented home, I think we're all better off if we can avoid divorce.

On second thought, perhaps this isn't such a good place to save a few bucks... Bring on that diamond CPU!

Believe me, there are enough REAL hurdles to cross in marriage to keep you occupied. You don't need artificial and inflated hurdles like the price of diamonds.

I hear ya there. You'll come to many hurdles hanging our these forums. My most recent hurdle was over a 128MB vid card at fry's.

 

[labgeek]

Originally posted by: Greg03
If you are over 20, you have seen this story surface every 5 years. Each time the same result - it reads like a popular science article -- in 4 years, the world will change. Well I've seen enough of these article to laugh them off. C'mon guys how gullible are you?

From what I hear the word "gullible" isn't even in the dictionary.

 

[chemist2003]

Originally posted by: hookitup

Fine, I'll say it. If you think a "natural" one is better than a "synthetic" one ... then you got issues. Maybe it's time for a head exam.

You are really quite dumb. IIIII don't care about the diamond, but if propose to YOUR girl, she will be expecting a real diamond, all carbon arguments aside. Again, its not about me. Why put the mental pressure on her? 'Cause you know that thoughts will be running through her head about who you really are. Her expectations are nice diamond. She gets well, a CHEAP diamond. For as much as you guys think that she would be OK with a $300 diamond---- you are WRONG! ASK ANY WOMAN- take a poll. Guaranteed results of: $1500 wins.

It just proves that some women are brain washed. Time to un-wash them. Sounds Kinky. But seriously, if they would turn down a proposal because you bought a man made diamond instead an "organic" diamond, then you know she is not marrying you for the right reason. Run away as fast as you can, before she gets her hands on half of your property.

 

[tempuraki]

Originally posted by: FreakyGuy
You guys are missing the point. A U.S. company has found out a way to make PERFECT unflawed diamonds consistently which can be used to make CPU wafers. The U.S. Govt knows how to make pos and neg charged diamonds. Diamonds can run hotter than silicon therefore FASTER CPU's.

Who cares about the consumer jewelry diamond market. This is a major technological advance!

I agree, and the Japanese researchers have developed 80ghz diamond semiconductor:

http://www.eetimes.com/at/hpm/news/OEG20030822S0005

 

[altus22]

Originally posted by: joecool
man, interesting article. where can i buy some stock in these guys?!

Thats what I was wondering. Both companies.

 

[santokki]

Originally posted by: hookitup

You are really quite dumb. IIIII don't care about the diamond, but if propose to YOUR girl, she will be expecting a real diamond, all carbon arguments aside. Again, its not about me. Why put the mental pressure on her? 'Cause you know that thoughts will be running through her head about who you really are. Her expectations are nice diamond. She gets well, a CHEAP diamond. For as much as you guys think that she would be OK with a $300 diamond---- you are WRONG! ASK ANY WOMAN- take a poll. Guaranteed results of: $1500 wins.

If she's not okay with a beautiful 2 carat diamond that costs $300 ... and she'd rather have a 1/2 carat $1500 diamond ... then you better not marry that money wasting garbage.

 

[flythunderbird]

I would like to hear the opinions of the ladies on this forum. Ladies - what do you think?

 

[Bleep]

before she gets her hands on half of your property.

Or worse, all of your property which happens all to often in my state and a lot of others.

Bleep

 

[Growltiger]

Originally posted by: santokki

Originally posted by: hookitup You are really quite dumb. IIIII don't care about the diamond, but if propose to YOUR girl, she will be expecting a real diamond, all carbon arguments aside. Again, its not about me. Why put the mental pressure on her? 'Cause you know that thoughts will be running through her head about who you really are. Her expectations are nice diamond. She gets well, a CHEAP diamond. For as much as you guys think that she would be OK with a $300 diamond---- you are WRONG! ASK ANY WOMAN- take a poll. Guaranteed results of: $1500 wins.

If she's not okay with a beautiful 2 carat diamond that costs $300 ... and she'd rather have a 1/2 carat $1500 diamond ... then you better not marry that money wasting garbage.

AMEN!

 

[gibster]

Originally posted by: hookitup
Sorry if this idea is repost, but....
Can you honestly imagine the reaction of your fiancee (or wife even) when she eventually asks about the "diamond?" Like "Honey, do you have the cert papers for the diamond?" "Well, dear, that's not ACTUALLY a diamond, you see, it's a fake 'Gemesis gem' that cost me 5 bucks online..."

Mr. Shite meet Mr. Fan

Man-made diamonds for industrial and tech use? Sure. For jewelery? No.
If society can convert women to be willing to accept fakes as the real deal, than yes do it. But until then, guys.... trust me, don't offer the fiancee a fake diamond. You WILL regret it!

These diamonds cost $5 to MAKE, they will cost many, many times that for you to BUY! These guys are not in the business for you to get cheap engagement jewelery, but to make MOOLAH. If they can make half what DeBeers is charging (which they easily can, obviously), they will charge that. And guess what - it will work. So you still end up paying $1500 for a $3000 DeBeers equivalent (or better). That may prompt DeBeers to eventually lower the prices on theirs, etc.
An interesting issue is one with disclosure - will the retailer offer these diamonds to you as man-made, or will they try to sell them as DeBeerstones?

 

[vinjince]

The biggest reason women want a diamond is the fact that it is a status symbol. Big diamond, lots of money... small, no money. Gotta be like everybody else and have the greatest.

If diamonds man made or earthend become cheap, women will just want the next biggest thing anway so who gives a flip. I am all for the diamond processors. The day I see diamond processor is the day I will love a diamond.

As for now I am buying moissanite. My finance has already approved it and thinks its better and prettier than a diamond.

 

[subflava]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fine, I'll say it. If you think a "natural" one is better than a "synthetic" one ... then you got issues. Maybe it's time for a head exam.
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You are really quite dumb. IIIII don't care about the diamond, but if propose to YOUR girl, she will be expecting a real diamond, all carbon arguments aside. Again, its not about me. Why put the mental pressure on her? 'Cause you know that thoughts will be running through her head about who you really are. Her expectations are nice diamond. She gets well, a CHEAP diamond. For as much as you guys think that she would be OK with a $300 diamond---- you are WRONG! ASK ANY WOMAN- take a poll. Guaranteed results of: $1500 wins.

Hookitup - Here's a question for you...what if I bought that $300 diamond and then spent another $1200 at the same time? Say I gave it to her mother as a gift or gave it to charity or something? In the end it still "cost" me $1500 for that diamond right? Assuming the natural diamond and the synthetic one had identical quality (clarity/color/cut/etc), would it matter then?

If it bothers you that in my example the extra $1200 wasn't spent directly on the diamond, how about if you just walked in to the store and said, "I know this diamond costs $300, but can I give you guys $1500 for it?" I think if you insisted they wouldn't mind too much.

I think the point you're trying to make is that regardless of what you spend your money on, the fact that you're spending a lot (compared to what you make) is supposed to mean something to the woman. I actually agree with you on that point. It *should* mean something to the girl that you expended a lot of effort/resources to get her something as a symbol of your love.

However, I think the point you're missing which previous posters have been trying to convince you of in one form or another is that fact that diamonds are "artificially" expensive. They're expensive because of the workings of DeBeers and that's what is pissing everyone off.

Going back to our example...sure you're spending $1500, but what if that $1500 bought you more? If the same diamonds cost less, you could just buy your woman $1500 worth of more diamonds. So instead of one just one ring, you could buy her a pair of diamond earings, a diamond necklace, etc. As long as you're still spending the same $1500, she should at least be just as happy right? Actually she'd probably be happier because she's got more pieces (with diamonds that look just as nice in every way) to wear.

 

[thescram]

Originally posted by: Mr. Pink
Rubies and Emeralds are also diamonds, except that they have a red or green tint. If they can make a clear or yellow one, I am sure they can make red or green ones as well.

Rubies and Emereralds are not Diamonds. Check your gemology books.

 

[a2k]

You know what's ironic? How many women out there that have fake 'you-know-whats' would tolerate a synthetic diamond? If your body parts aren't real, why should your diamond be?