The problem wouldn't be fixed even then. The jewelery companies have people convinced that the only diamonds that are worth it are mined from the earth by a real human slave. Fixing that problem has nothing to do with gemstones.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

companies have people convinced that the only diamonds that are worth it are mined from the earth by a real human slave

Is this still the case? I feel like I've seen "conflict free" as a selling point for (presumably labgrown) diamonds.

[–] rockerface@lemm.ee 2 points 2 months ago

Me too. I've also heard synthetic gemstones can have colours and structures unlike anything that can form naturally. I want one of those, so that nobody would mistake it for a mined stone.

[–] Tyfud@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Will never happen until De beers exits the stage or is forced to.

We already have incredibly easy to make and cheap diamonds that can rival and surpass any natural sized ones.

They do not sell nearly as well because De beers has convinced everyone natural diamonds are a scarce resource, while they have a monopoly on the supply, of which there is no actual scarcity.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

and surpass any natural sized ones

What's the biggest synthetic diamond we've made so far? Has anyone made diamond spectacles or windows?

[–] Blackmist@feddit.uk 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

They're quite brittle, so probably not a window like you're thinking.

https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=15962

10mm diameter for just over £1000.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

10mm diameter

Ah, so still not quite Cullinan-scale yet. Optical quality is probably better though.

I'm surprised diamonds aren't used more for lenses. Given its high index of refraction, it seems like an ideal material.

[–] Blackmist@feddit.uk 2 points 2 months ago

Yeah, the optical quality seems to be the main point. I assume there's few fields where that level of precision is worth it though. I doubt we're about to see it on an iPhone any time soon.