[TML] Personal Armor Noise was Re: Current USAF fleet

[Jerry W Barrington]

On 5/5/08 7:01 PM, "shadow at shadowgard.com" <shadow at shadowgard.com> wrote:

> Actually, most of the "value" of diamonds *now* is due to the cartel
> controlling the supply and investing in *major* media campaigns to
> get folks to think they are a "better" stone than things like rubies,
> emeralds and other colored stones.

Actually, many pieces of emerald jewelry are *more* expensive than similar
diamond pieces.  I know about this because my sister prefers emeralds.  Her
last ex-husband thought he was going to get off cheap.  :)

I think the issue there is that emerald is cheaper per carat, but they
generally use much more of it in similar pieces.

> Synthetic diamonds xist. They are relatively cheap. Gem quality ones
> are more expensive but not that expensive. But because it *is*
> possible to tell he difference between synthetic and natural stones
> (a matter which impurities they have and what sorts of flaws and
> inclusions) you get the propoganda saying synthetics aren't as good.

I say stick 2 stones side by side, in the same settings, one natural and one
synthetic.  If the average Jane or Joe looking at them (not experts) can't
consistently tell them apart, then who cares.  :P