Bringing "bling" to a whole new level:

Researchers have developed a new technique for making very large diamonds of high quality that could soon boost optics technology and gaudily adorn fingers of the wealthy with sparkling rocks up to an inch wide.

Using a process called chemical vapor deposition (CVD), several groups have figured out how to make diamonds. But growing them over 3 carats has proved challenging. A carat is a unit of weight for gems.

"Our fabrication of 10-carat, half-inch, CVD diamonds is a major breakthrough," said Russell Hemley of the Carnegie Institution's Geophysical Laboratory. The size is about five times what commercial diamond manufacturers can make using standard processes, Hemley and his colleagues said today. In theory, the technique should be able to make diamonds an inch big, or roughly 300 carats.

The famed Hope Diamond is 45.52 carats.

--Thanks for the tip, Brian.

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Posted by Lawren at May 17, 2005 07:46 AM

You Said

So, essentially you're telling us that science is going to ruin all things precious in life?

Says: Iceman at May 17, 2005 08:51 AM

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The Hope Diamond is gorgeous!

Says: Ranto at May 17, 2005 08:57 AM

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Sorry, I still want my diamonds to come from a mine not a lab.

Says: Nanc' at May 17, 2005 09:55 AM

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Unless the papers that come with a diamond say otherwise there is no way to tell the difference between a natural and man-made diamond that I'm aware of.

I'm just not seeing a difference between the two.

Says: Brian D. at May 17, 2005 04:36 PM

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Hard to explain but something that develops over eons in the ground is more appealing just like a pearl from an oyster is more appealing than one made in a lab. It's the time/history/nature thing.

Says: Nanc' at May 17, 2005 10:29 PM

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