As someone who knows what you know about diamonds... what "should" it cost? I mean, NATURAL diamonds already cost way more than they should...
What is the price to make, market hold in inventory, sell? What profit percentage would you allow for return on investment? Do you include the learning curve of making synthetic diamonds into the equation?
The answer is whatever someone is willing to pay. You may not want to pay that much but others are.
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2005 2:39 pm Posts: 3528 Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Fair enough... what would you (as a consumer) expect as a "discount" for a synthetic diamond? At what point would you consider it a "reasonable" trade-off for the man-made origin?
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:10 am Posts: 299 Location: Illinois
I was at a seminar a while back and the speaker was one of the major sightholders. His theory was that DeBeers is already far ahead of the game when it comes to synthetics because they have been working on them since the 50's. If the synthetics ever become a viable market he thinks DeBeers will flood the market to creat a two tier perception, natural = valuable, synthetic = cheap. By the way, they will also bankrupt anybody who has made a significiant investment to bring them to market. Nasty, but effective deterrant to competitors. Such an altustic bunch of guys .
Fair enough... what would you (as a consumer) expect as a "discount" for a synthetic diamond? At what point would you consider it a "reasonable" trade-off for the man-made origin?
Note: this question is for everyone.
Even though I am an Oppenheimer I don't like diamonds so I'm not the one to ask about what I would pay for a synthetic. I would pay $100. My distant cousins have pulled off the greatest scam ever. At least oil has a purpose and is used to build, heat and transport. Ernest and his heirs have created a market for a somewhat common rock and maintained it's value. At least Tanzanite One is attempting to do the same for a stone that isn't as common in both quantity and geographic location. The good part of this is that it's apparent value helped some of my other relatives in WWII bribe border guards to look the other way as they fled Germany for their lives.
Wow! I didn't realize you were related to the Oppenheimers that I read about in my GIA assignments!
No wonder you have such an amazing gem collection and such a great eye for gems - it's in your blood!
Hi Snizzy,
They don't realize it either <g>. We were the side of the family that went to England and then some went to Burma (then British Colony). My father told me the family history of Earnest, Sir Francis, Harry and now Nicky and Jonathan. They have done a remarkable job of controlling the commodity but things changed over the last decade. As new sources of diamonds come on board that can't be controlled they left the smaller stones to go to market prices but still controlled the larger more important stones. They can't purchase all those stones to make them seem more rare so they stimulated the market by adding anniversey rings and the right handed ring for those not married. Also step up to a bigger engagement ring. The one you couldn't aford to buy her when you were young. This takes supply out of the market by stimilating demand. Very Bright Idea. Branding diamonds is another market nitch to set you stones appart is another good idea that I'm not sure will catch on (like eight star diamonds).
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:42 pm Posts: 2846 Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
I don't think he said that they were natural. What he said was something along the lines of "I find it interesting that all created diamonds starts as a seed of natural diamonds". Is that what you are talking about?
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2005 5:30 am Posts: 68 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
No, I was sure he claimed they were natural because they started as a natural diamond seed and used the same chemical as a natural diamond...I would have to read the log of the chat to find out if that was what I read but I am pretty sure. Because it confused me a lot.
I didn't understand how they could be natural and be created at the same time.
_________________ Look at all the pretty colored stones!
Doos will post the log to the chat soon, so we can read it then and see exactly what was said during the chat. Perhaps he can be contacted for futher clarification, if needed.
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:42 pm Posts: 2846 Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
The chat log would be useful.
I don't recall him claiming that his diamonds were "natural" only that the best start with a seed of natural diamond. Like any other synthetic, the end result is a diamond (or ruby or sapphire etc) because it's chemical composition is the same as the naturally created gemstone . But no lab-created gemstone can be called a "natural".
So while it IS a diamond, pure carbon in gem form, it is NOT a natural diamond.
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2005 5:30 am Posts: 68 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
I probably didn't read it right...That is why I am asking. After working all night I probably misread the whole thing. I will read it again when doos posts it and if I am still confused can I ask questions here?
_________________ Look at all the pretty colored stones!
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot post attachments in this forum