Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : NextBigBigThing.com Award -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: John Finley who wrote (41)	4/6/2003 1:09:21 PM
From: kinkblot	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 75

Only $395 for the world's largest? It's a steal! I mentioned the diamond coloration by implantation to a buddy of mine with some background in implantation, and he said they did that in the early days (no later than 1966). He wasn't certain, but thought that DeBeers had supplied the diamonds. They experimented with boron and phosphorus implants and got various colors (Wicked pissa colors? Yes), but the technique was never used commercially. I've always thought there was untapped commercial potential for this sort of thing, i.e. materials processing for fashion applications, but I'd lean more towards architectural items than jewelry. However, the product should be something new, not just a reproduction of something that occurs in nature. Furthermore, you should take advantage of the capability for controlled color variation. Implantation might not be an option for large-area processing; at least, not without a custom machine.

To: John Finley who wrote (41)	4/17/2003 10:15:56 PM
From: kinkblot	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 75

It mattered to these guys: Gem Industry Is Shaken by Reports of Treated Stones online.wsj.com WSJ 04-17-03, p B1 Gem wholesalers lost $30 million on fake padparadschas [rare orange-pink sapphires]. Heat-treatment is used to modify sapphires and rubies -- beryllium is diffused into the surface, achieving rare colors. Not exactly high tech. On careful analysis, the artificial gems are distinguishable by color penetration that is too uniform and doesn't reach the core. "All the color traits that buyers are led to believe occur in nature are being produced in ovens. All of the romance is taken out of the stone." Gotta have that; that's what the customers pay for. <g>