How Has Artificial Diamonds Fever Postponed Progress, and Is There a Way to Fill the Gaps?
Had you ever wondered to know what made people look for a way to replicate natural diamonds in the laboratory? We always look for better solutions, but sometimes we can lose the central motives when being shocked by our first research success. This is precisely what happened with the artificial diamond industry. Having emerged as means to facilitate changes in technologies, synthetic diamonds became mostly the beauty option.
Years ago, natural diamonds were difficult to get. Mining them harmed the planet and caused serious problems, including wars. Scientists wanted to fix these issues by growing diamonds in labs. They hoped this would make diamonds easier to get and solve some big problems in technology. But things didn’t go that way.
Why Did It Happen?
It is a trivial business story. The product that appeared to be absolutely identical to natural diamonds had brought promising revenue opportunities. It is cute to replace a diamond that used to be considered a “forever option,” is not it? A single step needed to reach this was acceptance, quality warranties, and confirmation of green status. Apparently, business goals have overcast any other scientific interests, which required time, effort, and investments.
Once people saw that lab-grown diamonds looked the same as natural ones, businesses rushed to sell them. Many buyers loved the idea of getting the same sparkle without paying a fortune. They also liked that these diamonds didn’t hurt the environment.
At first, some people were unsure about lab-grown diamonds. They worried they wouldn’t be as strong or long-lasting as mined ones. Companies had to show proof that their diamonds were just as good. Over time, with certifications and better information, more buyers started trusting them.
Science vs. Commerce: A Difficult Balance
Researchers claim that “Every time you change the direction to do something new, it takes six months to configure it. It takes a lot of human capital and wisdom to figure out how to do that.” Everyone who needs to make research should close all other directions, concentrate all resources, and could not expect revenue. Not everyone can allow themselves this, especially when they have gem-quality products for which people are throwing money at them.
Indeed, it is not a problem. We have a prosperous industry, high-quality products, a healthier environment, and people who can feel themselves a little happier when wearing artificial diamonds.
Scientists found it hard to keep working on research. They needed more money and time, but the demand for synthetic gems was huge. Companies focused on sales because it brought quick profits.
But some experts believe that all is not lost. The success of artificial diamonds can now help fund new projects. The money coming in from the jewelry market might give scientists a chance to restart their research.
Yet, Inventors and Inspirers
Yet, inventors and inspirers who contributed to growing the first synthetic diamonds believed that we missed a lot when decided to choose beauty and money instead of progress.
You might know that lab-grown diamonds have the same properties as natural diamonds. It concerns also solidity, longevity, and conductivity, which are of the highest value for many industries. Thus, scientists assumed that if we were continuing the research then, in the fifties, today we could have:
much faster computers that would consume less energy and help to slow global warming;
the smaller size of cell phones;
ways for water purification;
even the ability to store, just imagine the entire Library of Congress on a single diamond.
Some scientists still dream about what could have been. Diamonds handle heat better than other materials, so computers could have been faster and used less power. This might have helped lower energy use worldwide.
Phones and other gadgets could have been smaller and stronger if they used diamond parts. Lab diamonds might also have helped create new ways to filter and clean water. Storing huge amounts of data on tiny diamond chips might have been possible too.
The Long Road to Broader Applications
These are just a few of the possible improvements which could happen. We would need a few substantial scientific papers to reveal to you all the potential of artificial diamonds for electronic, aviation, medical, building, and even military purposes.
While scientists are a little disappointed with the gap in the investigation, jewelers believe that these years could not be considered missed but vice versa. Thiery Silber, CEO of Madestones, the largest trader of artificial diamonds in Europe, assures that the innovations had to get status and acceptance not only for being able to bring money but for proving credibility in use for other purposes. While working on acceptance, we invested a lot to explore features; now it is high time to use these features for the sake of technological progress. Moreover, many companies that today work with artificial diamonds most likely will willingly contribute to investment in scientific research. They are ready for this because today growers can meet any demand for synthetic diamonds. Thus, they are interested in increasing interest in the product and expanding production volumes as well.
Now that synthetic diamonds are well-known and trusted, more companies want to invest in research. They hope to find new ways to use these diamonds in industries outside of jewelry. This could help them sell more and grow their businesses.
If scientists and companies work together, they can improve technology and create new products. Many experts say now is a good time to refocus on research since synthetic diamonds are already a big success.
