Before synthetic gemstones were trendy and they were truly worthless I bought 5 massive sapphires for like 3 dollars each.
They're on my desk, I see them every day. Every time I play with them I muse about how not so long ago people murdered each other for gems so large and so perfect. Now that anyone can have them though, they're toys.
Gems were always about status, nobody aside from nerds every wanted them because they were beautiful, or because their physical properties and fascinating. Showing how much 'better' you are than someone else was worth more than human lives.
I don't think new methods for making diamond will really help anyone, the nutters will just find new ways to flaunt their power.
If you give me your address and pay shipping. Although if you want sick gems the coolest thing you can do is buy rejected lab rough (grade inferior for lasers and shit), and then take it to your local lapidary club and facet it yourself.
I faceted this into trillion but it's too dark to have much brilliance.
Seconding the request on where to purchase rejects. I've always wanted to make jewelry for mom, who has super particular taste in style, but would genuinely prefer something like rejected lab made
Um just search lab rough or synthetic rough online. It'll depend where you're located what a good deal is. Aliexpress, eBay, gem dealers around you etc.