William Black writes:
> Don't be silly.
>
> The world is awash with 'blood diamonds'.
>
> Nobody outside Africa gets knocked off because they're dealing in them. The
> odd person gets fined.
The money involved is sufficient that some people might be tempted to resort
to violence.
> They've been promising the trade low cost synthetic diamonds in largish
> quantities since about 2002.
They've discovered that it makes a lot more sense to sell at high prices
rather than low, when the only competition is also marking up the merchandise
to very high prices.
> The only stuff there is available is some rubbish that won't pass a simple
> thermal test, being sold at about 10% of the price of real VS1 grade
> diamonds, and about ten times the price of cubic zircona, and worth
> precisely bugger all.
They've already produced synthetic diamonds that are superior to natural
diamonds.
> The fact is that what you've got is some old Russian synthetic diamond
> making machines of unproven ability that can make diamonds ...
The Russian process is different. You're thinking about the wrong people.
There are at least three different crystal growth processes in use, and
possibly as many as half a dozen.
> De Beers and the diamond cartel aren't allowed to operate in the USA on any
> level because of anti-trust laws there it is doubtful if they're in a
> position to knock anyone off.
Where do diamonds come from in the U.S.?
Why does De Beers have shops and corporate offices in the U.S., if it is "not
allowed to operate in the USA on any level"?
> If they had something worth selling they'd be selling it by now.
They do, and they are.
> The synthetic gem trade wiped out the people digging sapphires and suchlike out
> of the ground years ago.
It may do the same for diamonds, unless De Beers and company can put a very
creative spin on reality.
> Diamonds are essentially a single source gem ...
Diamonds are like pieces of coal. |