Quality has nothing to do with it. If they were of even <i>higher</i> physical quality than mined gems but still reliably discernible, they would not have a significant impact on the market.<p>Look at it this way, the kind of person that places a high emotional value on a diamond is not going to feel the same way about a $50 diamond as they would a $3000 diamond. It&#x27;s all about signalling and an inexpensive, albeit high quality, diamond does not send the same signals.<p>Now... if they could produce large stones that were indistinguishable from mined ones then you&#x27;d have a crack at eroding the gem market. But then the diamond cartel would just enact some sort of global &quot;Certified Blood Diamond&quot; program to prop up the traditional prices.