Question:

I was going to mention that I love my diamond because it’s beautiful.

That’s how most people feel about their personal jewelry. Ron Ng Knows!

Response:

If that is the case, then it explains the rapidly expanding market of Moissonite gems since they appear more brilliant than diamonds due to their double refraction lines as opposed to single refraction lines in a  diamond.

No, the only thing that explains that market is that there are people who are too cheap to buy genuine gemstones. Those are the same people who cover themselves with tacky rhinestones and buy Diamonique from QVC. Ron Ng Knows!

Response:

<< Agreed. Most people I know buy diamonds becuase they like the way they LOOK. If that is the case, then it explains the rapidly expanding market of Moissonite gems since they appear more brilliant than diamonds due to their double refraction lines as opposed to single refraction lines in a  diamond.   All that brilliance and at a fraction of the cost of a diamond.   I photographed fine jewelry and diamonds for many years.  Believe me, there IS a difference with a real diamond vs these man-made gems.  I have seen it many times when these stones were placed and photographed side-by-side. Furthermore, the real issue *might* not be how the stone looks when it is new, out of the box, but what it will look like in the real world after it has been worn for a few years.  I am not a lover of fine diamonds nor am I an advocate of purchasing diamonds but the old adage "you get what you pay for" does still hold true. Best regards, Rick Rosen Newport Beach, CA www.rickrosen.com

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – << Agreed. Most people I know buy diamonds becuase they like the way they LOOK. If that is the case, then it explains the rapidly expanding market of Moissonite gems since they appear more brilliant than diamonds due to their double refraction lines as opposed to single refraction lines in a  diamond.   All that brilliance and at a fraction of the cost of a diamond. I photographed fine jewelry and diamonds for many years.  Believe me, there IS a difference with a real diamond vs these man-made gems.  I have seen it many times when these stones were placed and photographed side-by-side.

What?   No claims to being Cecil Rhodes’  lovechild which by association makes you a diamond expert through relational osmosis?  No?  So the simple act of photographing diamonds can make one a diamond expert capable of detecting real and synthetic diamonds when 70% of ABC’s 20/20 program viewers (approx. 6,000 people) could not tell the difference between moissanite, a CZ and a diamond. Five out of 10 jewelers shown the diamond and moissanite could not tell either.  20/20 claimed to even fooled an electronic diamond detector with its moissanite gems. http://abcnews.go.com/sections/2020/DailyNews/2020_010209_moisssanite… You simply are amazing, Mr. Rosen.  Just a veritable wealth of knowledge accumulated directly through the camera lenses and straight into your brain! Awesome!  Gem experts who spend years in college and in the field should have chucked it all to become a professional photographer so they too could detect real and fake gems simply by having viewed them through a camera lens! Furthermore, the real issue *might* not be how the stone looks when it is new, out of the box, but what it will look like in the real world after it has been worn for a few years.

Step up to the modern era, Mr. Rosen.  Cubic zirconia definitely has the reputation for scratching but moissanite is nearly as hard as diamonds which makes it harder than rubies, sapphires, emeralds and opals. I am not a lover of fine diamonds nor am I an advocate of purchasing diamonds but the old adage "you get what you pay for" does still hold true.

What you get when you buy a diamond is the satisfaction of knowing you funded an expensive ad campaign that convinced you to buy an all too common gemstone of which there is a plentiful supply.

Response:

Only morons buy a diamond believing the marketing hype that the diamond is a sound financial investment. Agreed. Most people I know buy diamonds becuase they like the way they LOOK.

If that is the case, then it explains the rapidly expanding market of Moissonite gems since they appear more brilliant than diamonds due to their double refraction lines as opposed to single refraction lines in a  diamond.   All that brilliance and at a fraction of the cost of a diamond.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Only you will know it is not a diamond? I think that DeBeers has done a fantastic job of convincing the world that every man needs to buy his future wife a large 2 month salary diamond or he will be deemed worthless and cheap. (snip) I think diamonds have only been the stone for engagement rings for the last 100 years or so.. Actually, DeBeers has mainly just convinced the US that a giant rock is needed.   In most countries in Europe and the rest of the world a diamond engagement ring is by no means standard.  As with much of "traditional" wedding customs in the US today, the concept of a diamond engagement ring goes back in history, but the idea that everyone needs one is fairly recent.  When the Great Depression hit and DeBeer’s market collapsed, they needed to create demand — hence an advertising campaign in the US urging all men to buy their fiancees diamond rings.  Recent billboards in my town indicate that they’re now trying to put forth the idea that you should buy another diamond ring on a big anniversary — should be interesting to see if they succeed.

IIRC, the tagline for that advertising is something like "Tell her you’d marry her all over again." We just cut out the middleman:  he does tell me that, in words. For our 10th anniversary, I did get "something" done to my e-ring. I got a new head (which holds the stone in place) put on, as one prong was broken and the others were unsafe. It’s nice that I can wear it with confidence, knowing that I won’t lose the stone.  But, even at that, it’s the relationship, not the rock, that we celebrate. — aMAZon "It’s never too late to have a happy childhood."

Response:

Great point! There is a mine in the Northwest Territories (in Canada) called Ekadi (sp??) it is not owned by DeBeers. Nice to see some competition for the diamond cartel. Don’t know if they are available in the US, but they are getting very popular here. Have never heard of any diamond mining in Alaska, but there may be something.. Out of curiosity, are there other non DeBeers mining operations- as in, where else could have my stone come from?

There are Russian diamonds but again, you get into the problem of diamonds being used by a government to fund military purchases.  UNITA african diamonds are also non-deBeers but the sale of those diamonds fund guerilla warfare in Angola. And don’t expect competition for deBeers to drive the price of diamonds down.  Russia is alleged to be sitting on over 4 Billion dollars of cut diamonds and releases small quantities of them to keep the price high.  Perception of the rarity of diamonds is what keeps the prices high but in reality, diamonds are far more plentiful a gem stone than emeralds, rubies and sapphires. So, in conclusion, I find the analogy of  " the diamond  is supposed to symbolize permanance and genuine love therefore a fake one is made out of something giving off the deceptive appearance" to be trite considering that the purchase of a real diamond may have cost someone their life or furthered war.  Better to have a CZ or moissonite diamond symbolizing "peaceful progress", imo.

Response:

Better to have a CZ or moissonite diamond symbolizing "peaceful progress", imo.

I take it that you’ll be disposing of your diamonds then? Ron Ng Knows!

Response:

Hey Ron…just like a fur coat you already own, it doesn’t help to get rid of it…the animals don’t come back to life…its the future non-purchase of these items that make it an ethical choice. So keep your diamonds…just be aware of future choices and be informed! And I bet there are some things Ron Ng doesn’t know!!!

Response:

Better to have a CZ or moissonite diamond symbolizing "peaceful progress", imo. I take it that you’ll be disposing of your diamonds then?

That presumes I have diamonds in the first place.

Response:

Hey Ron…just like a fur coat you already own, it doesn’t help to get rid of it…the animals don’t come back to life…

But by you wearing the fur coat, you are showing it off to those who don’t already own fur coats and are implicitly showing others that fur coats are good. This will create more demand for fur coats, even amongst those who might otherwise not buy a fur coat. The same is true for diamonds. Ron Ng Knows!

Response:

That presumes I have diamonds in the first place.

Do you? Or was your husband too cheap to buy you any type of ring? Ron Ng Knows!

Response:

uh huh…whatever…

Response:

Or was your husband too cheap to buy you any type of ring?

He was so "cheap" he gave me a house as a wedding gift which then proceeded to appreciate 50K in the next five years.  Only morons buy a diamond believing the marketing hype that the diamond is a sound financial investment.  Only when they try to sell the diamond does it become apparent that the "certified" appraisal value is inflated and they will never see a return on the investment.  I’ll take the real estate, thank you very much.

Response:

Only morons buy a diamond believing the marketing hype that the diamond is a sound financial investment.

Agreed. Most people I know buy diamonds becuase they like the way they LOOK. Ron Ng Knows!

Response:

Agreed. Most people I know buy diamonds becuase they like the way they LOOK. Ron Ng Knows!

Most people I know who buy diamonds do so cos they have TOO MUCH MONEY!!!

Response:

Most people I know who buy diamonds do so cos they have TOO MUCH MONEY!!!

No one has too much money. You just think others do because you are coveting what you don’t have. Ron Ng Knows!

Response:

Good point Ron.  I was going to mention that I love my diamond because it’s beautiful.  The stone relfects light and I find myself smiling at its beauty as well as its symbolism.  Some things don’t need to be turned into political statements and some things aren’t monetary investments. — Melissa 3/18/2001

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Only morons buy a diamond believing the marketing hype that the diamond is a sound financial investment. Agreed. Most people I know buy diamonds becuase they like the way they LOOK. Ron Ng Knows!

Response:

My bf and I are hoping to get engaged this summer and have been debating about rings forever.  I love the idea of moissonite – but my concern is that family, etc. will give the dirty look because it’s "fake".  I think it only makes sense to be able to get a larger stone (that looks real!) and put the money towards something else! My only concern would be how long the ring would last?  What about cleaning, etc. I’ve done a lot of research already, but would love to hear from anyone who went with it or at least thought about it! Thanks in advance! mini

Response:

What the heck is moissonite? Is that like Cylindric Dimacron? (Bob Newhart ref) Only you will know it is not a diamond? I think that DeBeers has done a fantastic job of convincing the world that every man needs to buy his future wife a large 2 month salary diamond or he will be deemed worthless and cheap. IMHO, the engagement ring is a symbol of your love, but some may think it is a symbol of your ability to drop 2 months salary on a stone. Everyone has thier own taste so if you want to have Moissonite, then have it! I think diamonds have only been the stone for engagement rings for the last 100 years or so.. JB – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My bf and I are hoping to get engaged this summer and have been debating about rings forever.  I love the idea of moissonite – but my concern is that family, etc. will give the dirty look because it’s "fake".  I think it only makes sense to be able to get a larger stone (that looks real!) and put the money towards something else! My only concern would be how long the ring would last?  What about cleaning, etc. I’ve done a lot of research already, but would love to hear from anyone who went with it or at least thought about it! Thanks in advance! mini

Response:

Personally, I’d rather have a very small diamond or a white sapphire–a "real" stone that looks a little bit like a diamond–than a CZ, which is what I am assuming a "moissonite" is.  I guess that’s because I don’t like the idea that an object that is supposed to symbolize permanance and genuine love is made out of something giving off the deceptive appearance that it is something that is not.  But I’m a sentimental gal…if you would perfer a CZ ring, go for it!  I think they have some nice costume jewelry at Nordstrom’s. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -My bf and I are hoping to get engaged this summer and have been debating about rings forever.  I love the idea of moissonite – but my concern is that family, etc. will give the dirty look because it’s "fake".  I think it only makes sense to be able to get a larger stone (that looks real!) and put the money towards something else! My only concern would be how long the ring would last?  What about cleaning, etc. I’ve done a lot of research already, but would love to hear from anyone who went with it or at least thought about it! Thanks in advance! mini

Response:

 I guess that’s because I don’t like the idea that an object that is supposed to symbolize permanance and genuine love is made out of something giving off the deceptive appearance that it is something that is not.

Due to DeBeers’ legendary marketing and control of the market supply,  plentiful diamonds are priced beyond their worth.  Emeralds, rubies are rarer than diamonds yet do not have price tag diamonds do.  So, a diamond means an inflated price for a common commodity. Secondly, buying a diamond most likely means you are funding war in Africa. The DeBeers Diamond Cartel has funded military forays into Angola in the early and mid 1990s to force  UNITA, the last anti-communist rebel movement in Africa into retreat.    In 1998 President Clinton,  heeding the demands of the Marxist ANC, DeBeers diamond cartel and the U.S. State Department, signed into law Executive Order 13098. This presidential decree, unknown and undebated in the U.S. Congress or by the American public, directed all U.S. agencies, including the Department of the Treasury, to seize all assets of UNITA leaders and to prevent  the sale and importation of UNITA diamonds  into the United States. The order also sought to subvert the ability of American individuals and companies to do business with UNITA. Many allied countries have rallied to UNITA’s defense. While the Cold War may be perceived to be over in the West, it continues to rage in Africa. Uganda, South Sudan, the Rwandan Tutsis, the Zulus, Afrikaners and UNITA make up the Christian, anti-communist movement on the African continent.    Zambia is a key player in the continued survival of UNITA. Diamonds mined by UNITA are smuggled into Zambia where they have no trouble gaining a stamp of approval by Zambia’s Ministry of Mines. From Zambia, the diamonds can be shipped to the West for sale.  However, DeBeers, which controls 70 percent of  the world’s diamond trade, has gotten Bill Clinton and the United Nations to work together  in an effort to stop UNITA’s diamond trade. So, regardless of what side you make take on this volatile issue, buying a diamond means you are no doubt funding war in Africa.  No exactly the perception DeBeers would like you to have of diamonds nor is it the lovely analogy to marriage you would want either.  I’ll take a US manufactured synthetic diamond any day over an African diamond whose journey to the US may have come at a high cost of human lives.  "Remember, when you buy DeBeers, you’re  funding communist and corporate fascism," Nikki (an UNITA diamond smuggler) told WorldNetDaily. "Diamonds may be forever, but the war between good and evil is eternal."

Response:

Hi guys, I thought you might want to check out a link to the website: www.moissanite.com There’s lots of info, as well as celebrities who endorse this new jewel! I’m actually going tonight to a jeweller who carries it, so we’re going to do some comparing!  I’ll be sure to post my results!! mini

Response:

Great point! There is a mine in the Northwest Territories (in Canada) called Ekadi (sp??) it is not owned by DeBeers. Nice to see some competition for the diamond cartel. Don’t know if they are available in the US, but they are getting very popular here. Have never heard of any diamond mining in Alaska, but there may be something.. Out of curiosity, are there other non DeBeers mining operations- as in, where else could have my stone come from? JB – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So, regardless of what side you make take on this volatile issue, buying a diamond means you are no doubt funding war in Africa.  No exactly the perception DeBeers would like you to have of diamonds nor is it the lovely analogy to marriage you would want either.  I’ll take a US manufactured synthetic diamond any day over an African diamond whose journey to the US may have come at a high cost of human lives.  "Remember, when you buy DeBeers, you’re  funding communist and corporate fascism," Nikki (an UNITA diamond smuggler) told WorldNetDaily. "Diamonds may be forever, but the war between good and evil is eternal."

Response:

Only you will know it is not a diamond? I think that DeBeers has done a fantastic job of convincing the world that every man needs to buy his future wife a large 2 month salary diamond or he will be deemed worthless and cheap. (snip) I think diamonds have only been the stone for engagement rings for the last 100 years or so..

Actually, DeBeers has mainly just convinced the US that a giant rock is needed.   In most countries in Europe and the rest of the world a diamond engagement ring is by no means standard.  As with much of "traditional" wedding customs in the US today, the concept of a diamond engagement ring goes back in history, but the idea that everyone needs one is fairly recent.  When the Great Depression hit and DeBeer’s market collapsed, they needed to create demand — hence an advertising campaign in the US urging all men to buy their fiancees diamond rings.  Recent billboards in my town indicate that they’re now trying to put forth the idea that you should buy another diamond ring on a big anniversary — should be interesting to see if they succeed. Kate to Jay 8/5/01 (happy with my sapphire engagement ring)

Response: