DeBeers has had a division called Element Six that manufactures synthetic diamonds. Up till now, there hasn't been much attention paid to what they were doing. DeBeers just came out with an announcement that they are creating a new jewelry line called Lightbox. You will be able to buy white, pink and blue man made diamonds and have then set in a setting. The price point for a one carat diamond will be $800. This compares to lets say a GIA certified H color SI1 quality natural diamond that can cost an average of at least $3,000.00. So there is an attractive price point for the man made diamonds, as opposed to a natural one that took over a billion years to create.
So why in the world would DeBeers do this ? There has been an influx of man made diamonds to the market as technology improves. Mind you, diamonds have been lab created since the 60's, but mostly small ones for industrial use. Technology has developed to the point where larger gem quality ones can be made economically.
There are two ways synthetic diamonds are made CVD "chemical vapor deposition", which creates layers of material to grow the diamond on a substrate. It basically laying down layers of hydrogen that are exposed to an intense plasma or hot filament to convert the carbon and hydrogen bonds from graphite into a diamond. The graphite in your pencil is the same chemical composition as a diamond, but the bonds between the atoms are in a stronger formation.
HPHT " High pressure, high temperature" is also a way to create diamonds. This more so mimics the natural formation of a diamond by subjecting graphite to extreme temperature and pressure mimicking how they are formed within the earth.
Back to my thoughts on why DeBeers is doing this. "Public perception" and "profits". The public is confused by what they hear about man made diamonds. And more so confused as to the value. Prices are all over the place. And many unscrupulous dealers are selling man made for natural.
DeBeers is helping create the divide. establishing a value for man made vs Natural. This helps them in the long run maintain value for the largest portion of their business. The 6 billion in natural diamond sales, vs the expected goal of 200 million in synthetic sales.
This is a VERY smart move by DeBeers. Casual , inexpensive diamond jewelry for the masses. Higher quality natural diamonds for the people that want them. Setting a price point for man made. Protecting their massive investment in the diamond mines they own. I guess they were worried about the growth and marketing of synthetic.
Contact me if you have any questions I can help you with
#knoxdiamondsandjewelry # KDJ #diamonds #GIA #gemstones #rings #engaged #wedding
Knox Diamonds and Jewelry
So why in the world would DeBeers do this ? There has been an influx of man made diamonds to the market as technology improves. Mind you, diamonds have been lab created since the 60's, but mostly small ones for industrial use. Technology has developed to the point where larger gem quality ones can be made economically.
There are two ways synthetic diamonds are made CVD "chemical vapor deposition", which creates layers of material to grow the diamond on a substrate. It basically laying down layers of hydrogen that are exposed to an intense plasma or hot filament to convert the carbon and hydrogen bonds from graphite into a diamond. The graphite in your pencil is the same chemical composition as a diamond, but the bonds between the atoms are in a stronger formation.
HPHT " High pressure, high temperature" is also a way to create diamonds. This more so mimics the natural formation of a diamond by subjecting graphite to extreme temperature and pressure mimicking how they are formed within the earth.
Back to my thoughts on why DeBeers is doing this. "Public perception" and "profits". The public is confused by what they hear about man made diamonds. And more so confused as to the value. Prices are all over the place. And many unscrupulous dealers are selling man made for natural.
DeBeers is helping create the divide. establishing a value for man made vs Natural. This helps them in the long run maintain value for the largest portion of their business. The 6 billion in natural diamond sales, vs the expected goal of 200 million in synthetic sales.
This is a VERY smart move by DeBeers. Casual , inexpensive diamond jewelry for the masses. Higher quality natural diamonds for the people that want them. Setting a price point for man made. Protecting their massive investment in the diamond mines they own. I guess they were worried about the growth and marketing of synthetic.
Contact me if you have any questions I can help you with
#knoxdiamondsandjewelry # KDJ #diamonds #GIA #gemstones #rings #engaged #wedding
Knox Diamonds and Jewelry
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