I'll retract the car kit example because I really don't know.

I do know diamonds and gemstones though. When I said synthetics devalue naturals, I didn't mean literally. There will always be people willing and able to pay for a natural over a synthetic and there will always be people who will buy synthetics because it's what they can afford in the size/look that they want. I have never sold a synthetic to someone who could afford a natural that met their specifications. The two are not in competition with each other. And for the record, synthetics are not inexpensive (nor are all of the large ones laser inscribed).

I can tell a synthetic from a natural from a simulant with a microscope. Granted, I'm trained. The average untrained eye can't, but it usually also can't distinguish a $50 cubic zirconia from a $7000 diamond.

I have a genuine love of diamonds and gemstones and that's probably the only reason I lean toward naturals. You'd probably not find a lot of hair stylists plugging boxed hair dye.

Pythonfriend, that feeling you get when someone refers to a synthetic as "fake", its the same one I get when I see someone describing synthetics as being the EXACT same as naturals. They're close, but not exactly the same. I have sold synthetics. You're correct, you have to let the customer decide what they want and I don't begrudge anyone for buying what they want.

At the same time, I understand (yes, I've heard this) people feeling a little put off that someone can buy a replica of their $20,000 ring for $1500. People buy luxury items as a status symbol. There was a time when you couldn't have those things until you'd reached a certain level of financial success. Nowadays anyone with the internet and $100 can have a "Rolex". I guess that's my point. I know it sounds kind of snobby (I swear, I have Dr Pop and Great Value Mayo in my fridge right now, I'm not professing to be one of these successful people!) but I think you should earn luxury. Or marry or inherit it



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