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Quality has nothing to do with it. If they were of even higher physical quality than mined gems but still reliably discernible, they would not have a significan

by ryandvm 11y ago

Quality has nothing to do with it. If they were of even higher physical quality than mined gems but still reliably discernible, they would not have a significant impact on the market. Look at it this way, the kind of person that places a high emotional value on a diamond is not going to feel the same way about a $50 diamond as they would a $3000 diamond. It's all about signalling and an inexpensive, albeit high quality, diamond does not send the same signals. Now... if they could produce large stones that were indistinguishable from mined ones then you'd have a crack at eroding the gem market. But then the diamond cartel would just enact some sort of global "Certified Blood Diamond" program to prop up the traditional prices.

macavity23 11y ago
AIUI they actually ARE higher physical quality: I believe the way experts tell cultured diamonds from 'natural' ones is that cultured ones have far fewer flaws. (IANADD) But you are absolutely right of course - the physical quality is irrelevant in the market for such an emotional product.
Turing_Machine 11y ago
"Look at it this way, the kind of person that places a high emotional value on a diamond is not going to feel the same way about a $50 diamond as they would a $3000 diamond." However, the kind of person who places a high emotional value on showing off the diamond to other people may. "Reliably discernable" by a lab is one thing. "Reliably discernable" by friends, family, and random people on the street is quite another.
SixSigma 11y ago
> .But then the diamond cartel would just enact some sort of global "Certified Blood Diamond" program to prop up the traditional prices. de Beer's call this "The Forevermark" like this : https://www.debeersgroup.com/en/building-forever/our-stories/Forevermark_opens_10m_diamond_grading_and_inscription_centre.html https://www.debeersgroup.com/en/building-forever/our-stories...

by ryandvm 11y ago

macavity23 11y ago

AIUI they actually ARE higher physical quality: I believe the way experts tell cultured diamonds from 'natural' ones is that cultured ones have far fewer flaws. (IANADD) But you are absolutely right of course - the physical quality is irrelevant in the market for such an emotional product.

Turing_Machine 11y ago

"Look at it this way, the kind of person that places a high emotional value on a diamond is not going to feel the same way about a $50 diamond as they would a $3000 diamond." However, the kind of person who places a high emotional value on showing off the diamond to other people may. "Reliably discernable" by a lab is one thing. "Reliably discernable" by friends, family, and random people on the street is quite another.

SixSigma 11y ago

> .But then the diamond cartel would just enact some sort of global "Certified Blood Diamond" program to prop up the traditional prices. de Beer's call this "The Forevermark" like this : https://www.debeersgroup.com/en/building-forever/our-stories/Forevermark_opens_10m_diamond_grading_and_inscription_centre.html https://www.debeersgroup.com/en/building-forever/our-stories...