OT: diamonds are forever :)

[gregebowman]

Maybe that's what we need to boost the space program. Let Congress know that if we can get there, they can get a cut of the profits from whoever has the mining rights, and they'll trip over themselves approving the necessary funds!

[narf poit chez BOOM]

it is at the center of a white dwarf star. besides, do you really want to wreck something that grand?

[Ragnarok]

Originally posted by gregebowman:
Maybe that's what we need to boost the space program. Let Congress know that if we can get there, they can get a cut of the profits from whoever has the mining rights, and they'll trip over themselves approving the necessary funds!

But if NASA or anyone else ever got to where they could mine this Diamonds wouldn't be as valuable as they are not. When something is in demand it is worth alot, when we have more then enough to supply our needs it will go for dirt cheap. So eventually there would be no added value in mining this thing.

[dogscoff]

COol.

when we have more then enough to supply our needs it will go for dirt cheap. So eventually there would be no added value in mining this thing.

Well yeah, except that a diamond's value is not only due to its rarity and beauty. Diamonds are very useful for making cutting tools as well.

[atari_eric]

Diamonds aren't as rare as everyone thinks. They only seem rare because DeBeers has them all, and only releases a few at a time, creating an artificial scarcity.

[tesco samoa]

diamonds are also a good way to launder money and keep the very young employed in some countries.

[Nocturnal]

Beware the power of my copy-pasting skills!

If you haven't yet, read that old article about DeBeers I keep raving to everyone about. Show it to your better half if she thinks she wants a diamond ring. If she insists, you can get her a synthetic diamond, no African blood spilled. 8-)