I think the benchmark they have to hit is not be significantly out-done by anyone else. As long as they aren't their status is sort of self-sustaining. Kind of

I think the benchmark they have to hit is not be significantly out-done by anyone else. As long as they aren't their status is sort of self-sustaining. Kind of like with diamonds. You could make fakes, that look just as pretty, but that isn't enough, because while looking pretty is important it's only part of what diamonds offer. What could perhaps threaten them is synthetic diamonds made more perfect and beautiful, and then carved so intricately that they end up costing a fortune, marketed as a luxury ethical diamond (because it's verifiable not a blood diamond).