DIAMONDS ARE A symbol of eternal love, not only because they are among the hardest substances around, but also because they are millions of years old.
But what if a two-carat pink diamond could be made in a week for less than US$5,000?
Synthetic diamonds are nothing new. Successful synthesis of diamonds dates back to the 50s, according to Yves Kerremans, director of HRD Research Antwerp.
'Natural and synthetic diamonds share the same physical and chemical properties as they both have a cubic crystal lattice consisting of carbon atoms,' Mr Kerremans said.
'The difference, however, is in their growth and storage history. Natural diamonds are unique and are often stored for millions of years at high temperatures.
'Synthetic diamonds, on the other hand, follow a standard 'recipe' and are removed from the presses as soon as their growth is accomplished. The growth patterns and defects present in natural and synthetic diamonds differ as a consequence,' he said.
About 3 billion carats of synthetic diamonds, worth US$1 billion, are produced a year, compared with 130 million carats of natural diamonds.