Diamonds

A few thoughts about diamonds.

I’m no expert, of course, but I’ve been reading about lab-grown, or synthetic, diamonds. I am fascinated by the science that can replicate eons of geographical processes. Apparently, lab-grown diamonds are essentially indistinguishable from the ‘real thing’—only newly developed chemical spectrography can discern any difference. Certainly, naked eyes, even those most knowledgeable, can’t make any determination ….

…. except for the fact that ‘natural’ diamonds usually have some degree of fault. Diamonds are measured largely by the ‘four Cs’: cut, clarity, carat and colour. The higher the quality of these elements, the more valuable the item. Any faults, varying from diamond to diamond, of course, reduce that value.

It seems to me that the human race can be reluctant to embrace synthetic replicas of parts of our lives. We like the real thing, often in the face of the artificial version being a technically purer and improved version. The uptake of synthetic diamonds is definitely happening, but many still desire the original.

So, I’m wondering whether we’ll ever get into a situation where the faults in a gem that designate it as ‘real’ will become prized in some strange way; whether the perfect creation will take a back seat to those examples that can be proven go be ‘genuine’ by their weaknesses.

There seems to be something there we could connect with life, or people or the things we do. I won’t labour the point.

Until later, and may your day be sparkly,

Kirsten