giganano

Nitrogen shows in both lab-grown and natural diamonds. However, interestingly, nitrogen forms in clumps within the natural diamond matrix, whereas it is dispersed atomically in lab-grown conditions, especially in the pressure-anvil types (Gemesis, etc...). By shining a UV source, the luminescence from natural vs. lab grown is apparent (I think that this is technically photoluminescene spectroscopy, by the way). Also, there were microcrystals of metals in the early synthetics, and was due to contamination of the metal which was used in the pressure chamber... My memory is fuzzy here, but by flowing graphite through a liquefied metal chuck, carbon is deposited onto cold-walled, low-quality substrates. However, some of the metal was unintentionally introduced, and is indicative of synthetics. The newer, CVD-prepared diamonds are very high quality, though. It's impressive from what I can gather. I do not claim to be an expert on diamonds; just knowledgeable about solid-state and crystal growth.

I am of the opinion that synthetics are going to become more valuable. While the mined diamond industry touts the idea that there is some kind of sentimental value that goes along with naturals, I look at the mining practices and Blood Diamond history, and then a high-quality, low-energy intensive synthetic, and it's kind of a no-brainer, except for the stigma that goes along with "lab-grown" crystals.

But, I spent five years in grad school studying semiconductors and growth, and luckily, my wife-to-be is on board with the idea that higher quality diamonds, albeit synthetic, are better for the bling, the buck, and for the blood.

I love that girl, and I clearly love lab-grown crystals. DeBeers and the like can go and try to fool some other chump. I'll take the beatuiful, clear, CVD, diamond any day of the week.

OP, what say you on the synthetic vs. natural stigma? Do you think that the tide is turning at all, or will the "synthetic" inferiority will remain culturally?

As someone interested in using diamonds for electronic applications, it would be a very good thing if diamond synthesis was cheap! I mean, look what happened when high-quality quartz was all of the sudden available? Hello, electronic age! Similar arguments exist for silicon bullion improvements.

If diamonds became "less valuable" because of an easier, better method to produce them, I argue that this is a very good thing, and I hope you will as well. Why dig up and trash our land to search for "scarce" natural diamonds if higher-quality ones can be made for a fraction of the environmental impact? Regardless, the search for a cheap fabrication method continues, your and my opinion aside.

Edit: Thanks for replying, OP! What a neat and interesting job you have, in all honesty. Keep me in mind when you guys need a characterization guy! :)

I have a good voice (so I'm told). I am, however, a very busy bee, but would consider a career change into your domain of voice-over work. Could you give me any pointers or words of advice to point me in the right direction? Did you/do you have a coach? Do you have any "exercises" or techniques that you would recommend, or just "practice, practice, practice"? Finally, thanks for doing an AMA, and keep up the good work!

I really appreciate your advice and motivation; hopefully I'll get a few free hours a week to dig deeper and take steps in the right direction. I only hope that I may be able to bug you if I need to ask you particular question for which I need an honest answer. I promise not to abuse this request, and again, thank you sincerely for doing an AMA and doling out nuggets of wisdom. Cheers, Tom!

Do you include the unrelenting ring of heat surrounding DC, commonly called "the beltway" in these models? Only kidding, but on a serious note, thanks for all you do (¡y gracias a los meteorologicos de canal 44 tambien!)

TODAY IS GONNA BE THERE DAY WE MOVE, YEAH, NEWS 4 TODAAAY!

Keep up the good work, and good on you all for doing an AMA.