Horizon
Horizon
The Diamond Makers #S37E03
There is something so special about diamonds, and they are so valuable, that people have always been prepared to go to the most extraordinary lengths to find them. But how would we feel about the uniqueness of diamonds if it was possible to make one in a laboratory, just like the real thing, down to the nearest atom? In the last few years there has been a scientific race to do exactly this: to manufacture the perfect gem diamond. Today the dream is close to becoming reality. Science has finally found a way to replicate in a few days something that nature has taken millions of years to produce - diamonds. These man-made diamonds are so close to the real thing, that they have the same atomic structure as natural diamonds. Even the most sophisticated machines are finding it hard to tell the difference. More importantly, these diamonds can be made and sold at a profit. Synthetic diamond press: This is the story of the race to produce man-made gem diamonds, from the first faltering steps 50 years ago, to today's 'New Alchemists' in Russia who are using the latest science and technology to produce perfect synthetic diamonds in an array of colours and sizes. And it is the story of how this leap in diamond-making technology has forced De Beers to develop ever-more sophisticated detection equipment, trying to spot the synthetics, while the physical distinction between real and man-made diamonds becomes more and more blurred. Today there are alarm bells ringing at De Beers in Johannesburg. De Beers controls the world diamond trade. By buying up most of the world's uncut diamonds, the company can regulate supply to select dealers, increasing it in good years and reducing it in bad, to keep prices high. Every year 3 billion pounds worth of rough diamonds are distributed around the world for cutting and polishing. The diamond market survives on public confidence. Already De Beers spends a fortune trying to detect synthetic gems, and teach wholesalers and graders what the molecular differences are. But imagine if these synthetics had exactly the same properties as real diamonds, each atom in place, every manufacturing flaw removed, leaving something indistinguishable from the real thing. They would be undetectable. What would a real diamond be then? To many, the difference would be purely psychological. And so what would happen to public confidence in the natural diamond market? Man made diamonds: According to the new alchemists, this is all just about to happen.
Episode 3 of Season 37 from Horizon — available to stream in HD on any device.
Comments & Discussions
Join the conversation
Sign in to leave a comment
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts!
Recommended
Because you liked Horizon
Unexplained: Caught On Camera
Unexplained: Caught On Camera
Súper Sara
Super Sara
Hazardous History with Henry Winkler
Hazardous History with Henry Winkler
Attack on London: Hunting the 7/7 Bombers
Attack on London: Hunting the 7/7 Bombers
To Catch a Stalker
To Catch a Stalker
All the Sharks
All the Sharks
Evil Lives Here: The Killer Speaks
Evil Lives Here: The Killer Speaks
Evil Lives Here: Shadows Of Death
Evil Lives Here: Shadows Of Death
Evil Lives Here
Evil Lives Here
Myths: Great Mysteries of Humanity
Myths: Great Mysteries of Humanity
Explore Content
Search for movies, TV shows, collections, manga, or people
Trending Now