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Has Anyone Made an Artificial Diamond Ring?
DiamondRingThing asks: "I know that diamond engagement rings are a recent fabrication, and the two months salary required to obtain one is ridiculous. Diamonds are pretty however, and evil never keeps a good hacker down. I'd like to be able to give a diamond to my girlfriend that I know was forged just for her, without any blood on it, and without giving any money to DeBeers. That's why I won't buy an artificial diamond from a jeweler, as I suspect the cartel is involved at that level. Does anybody know anyone that has made their own diamond to set in a ring? How's the cost, and the quality? Thanks in advance."
Does anybody know anyone that has made their own diamond to set in a ring?
Sure...Superman used to do this all the time.
I think Vulcan did this quite a bit too.
^_^
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~ |rip/\/\aster /\/\onkey
From the article:
De Beers executive drove directly to Claridge's, and the two men sat down in the tearoom to the strains of a piano and violin duet. De Beers refuses to comment on the meeting--or about anything for this story--but Clarke says he simply placed his diamonds on the table. "When I told him that we planned to set up a factory to mass-produce these, he turned white," the General recalls.
Further discussion on this topic and slashdot will feel the power and wrath of De Beers.
Prepare for 503 errors if you continue to discuss alternatives to natural diamonds.
You have been warned.
-De Beers NOC
-Malakai
A Dragon Lives in my Garage
If your conscience is bothered as much as mine is by the horror stories of the diamond-mining industry, there are always the Canadian alternatives.
I have found there are just two ways to go.
It all comes down to livin' fast or dyin' slow. -REK, Jr.
Diamonds purchased from a jeweler are overpriced because you're getting it from a cartel. I recommend getting a ring from a pawn shop; the price of that diamond will be closer to an actual market value of that gem. The cost will be considerably lower than that from a jeweler, and you are getting the exact same type of rock.
Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.
-- Pablo Picasso
One: It would cheaper to buy a 3rd world nation from which to mine the diamond, or perhaps fund your very own coup, than to build the lab required for such an undertaking.
Two: The ridiculous outlay in cash is "proof that you truly love her" and without this she will have troubles interacting with her friends who, to a girl, have been subjected to the same brain washing and with her parents who partook in the brain washing.
Three: Buying blood diamonds has little impact on the goings on in Africa, it's an extremely fucked up place and the few dozen land mines bought from from the money from your diamond is nothing compared to mountains of small arms and land mines the G8 is selling to the various wacko revolutionaries and wacko tyrants or just the wacko white farmers, On CREDIT.
Three: While it is admittedly difficult to find a women worth spending your life with who doesn't want some ridiculus gem on her finger in the US, this is not so much the case elsewhere in the world.
Food for thought: How long does a diamond last? How long does a human last? How long does the average marriage last? Now considering these facts why isn't the used diamond market absolutely flooded? Where the hell did they go? OK My Mum had some from my Grannies that she gave to my sisters but come on, where are the rest?
My take on this... I fought a lot with my ex about this before we were married and she, of course, brought it up when we getting a divorce. Actually I'm pretty sure she still holds the comment "Do you realize how many land mines were planted in Africa with the money from that ring" comment, I made in front of our parents, against me. That was a sign I should have never married that women to begin with and should of held out for the fantastic Girlfriend I have now. I just pray that my daughter doesn't start to exhibit the same wacko tendencies...
Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
Why don't you talk it over with your fiance and find a set of matching rings that you both can afford -- then spend excess cash on a honey-moon or house downpayment.
:-)
Do you want an equal partnership or are you looking to 'buy' a wife? Might I suggest that 'buy'ing such a wife sets a poor precedent for the future of the relationship.
If one of you doesn't make as much as the other, fine: figure out a proportional payment based on your take-home and find a pair based on that sum.
Wasting so much money on a rock in this day and age when marriages are often not "forever" seems a bit dated -- and being a woman, I certainly wouldn't want the feeling of indebtedness that might come from such an unequal exchange. It would feel like a wrong power & relationship dynamic.
You also might find she likes other gemstones better than the "vanilla" standard white diamond.
I don't think artificial diamonds of superb color/clarity are quite yet ready for "prime time". Have read they have made small ones, but they are quite a bit away from larger ones and mass production.
Might also think of whether or not you want the bride's father to pay for the wedding (another tradition, taking the place of the dowry), or maybe pool resources w/your parents toward a honeymoon (or house downpayment).
At least with the money for a house downpayment -- you will both own a house together. Studies have shown a positive correlation between, both joint ownership of property and joint finances and longer marriages.
All this presumes you are a "mere", mortal man. If you are Bill Gates or
some multi-billionaire, well... nevermind.
Moissanite.
My wife likes the sparkle, especially under standard indoor lighting. It really is more colourful and brighter than a diamond, but only costs a fraction of the price. Maybe one third the price, around here.
Of course, if your gal is one of those "but it's not a DIAAAAAMOND!" girls, you're SOL.
Not really - Please cite your source.
Although their fingers are in there a little, their participation is minimal. If you're looking for "clean diamonds", Canada is the way to to go:
Canada's current production comes from two mines: the Ekati Mine, owned by BHP-Billiton (80%), Chuck Fipke (10%) and Stewart Blusson (10%), has over 100 kimberlite pipes on its property, of which eight are considered economically viable and will likely be mined. The projected mine life for Ekati is 21 years (including the past five years of production,) and is expected to produce a gross value of approximately $9.5 billion (C).
During its initial three years of operation, BHP Diamonds Inc. (now BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc.) sold 35% of its production to the De Beers Diamond Trading Company (DTC). That contract ended in 2002 and BHP-Billiton markets most of its all Canadian production on the open market.
source: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ps/nap/diamin/dianarr_e .html