3 ms·

While I personally don’t think natural diamonds are any more valuable than synthetic. I understand the scarcity and way it’s used to show status (similar to car

While I personally don’t think natural diamonds are any more valuable than synthetic. I understand the scarcity and way it’s used to show status (similar to cars, we don’t need great ones). That being said, what I actually took away from that comment... was that the teacher in geology class was presenting effectively political argument as opposed to teaching. Explaining the process of fine, but given what you described — I bet no one changed their mind about synthetic vs real. Most knew what the “correct” answer was. I think everyone kinda knows about synthetic diamonds, they just don’t care. Same way plastic bottles are better for the environment, yet are still used widely.

Loughla 6y ago
>I think everyone kinda knows about synthetic diamonds, they just don’t care. I 100% disagree. The stigma around cubic zirconia and 'fake' jewelry is real and alive, and absolutely carries over to any kind of man-made gems. I also don't think most people have any idea at all about the issues in the gem trade. Source: My highly educated co-workers who were astounded to read about conditions in emerald mines after Elon Musk got popular.
- stjohnswarts 6y ago
  what does elon musk have to do with emerald mines?
  - Loughla 6y ago
    There was the story about Elon Musk's family ties to apartheid and an emerald mine in like 2017-2018. That's where that comes from.
- vel0city 6y ago
  Cubic zirconia (Mohs 8) is less hard than diamonds (Mohs 10) or Moissanite (Mohs 9.25). For something that gets a lot of wear, the CZ will get scratched up and have its edges rounded off more over time than diamonds or Moissanite. But, if its something that only gets occasional wear this is likely not going to be too much of an issue. Just don't go banging your stone on a pile of diamonds. CZ also has a lower refractive index and less dispersion than either diamonds or Moissanite.

Loughla 6y ago

>I think everyone kinda knows about synthetic diamonds, they just don’t care. I 100% disagree. The stigma around cubic zirconia and 'fake' jewelry is real and alive, and absolutely carries over to any kind of man-made gems. I also don't think most people have any idea at all about the issues in the gem trade. Source: My highly educated co-workers who were astounded to read about conditions in emerald mines after Elon Musk got popular.

stjohnswarts 6y ago
what does elon musk have to do with emerald mines?
- Loughla 6y ago
  There was the story about Elon Musk's family ties to apartheid and an emerald mine in like 2017-2018. That's where that comes from.
vel0city 6y ago
Cubic zirconia (Mohs 8) is less hard than diamonds (Mohs 10) or Moissanite (Mohs 9.25). For something that gets a lot of wear, the CZ will get scratched up and have its edges rounded off more over time than diamonds or Moissanite. But, if its something that only gets occasional wear this is likely not going to be too much of an issue. Just don't go banging your stone on a pile of diamonds. CZ also has a lower refractive index and less dispersion than either diamonds or Moissanite.