The allure, mystique and beauty of diamonds have held us spellbound for centuries. A diamond represents the ultimate symbol of love, and its dazzling luminescence has inspired countless songs and films. But how rare are they really? Man is now achieving in a few hours what takes nature billions of years to produce: flawless gem-quality diamonds.

Synthetic diamonds are created by the same process as real ones-- a combination of extreme pressure, temperature and forced natural reactions-- only the time frame is accelerated. But is a synthetically created diamond less "real" than a real one? De Beers-- controller of 80% of the world’s diamond supply-- is investing millions in a "gem defense program" to convince you that their diamonds are infinitely more desirable than the synthetic ones.

Revisit General Electric’s ‘50s-era race to create the first industrial diamonds. Join modern alchemists in makeshift diamond labs worldwide. And, feel the immense pressure De Beers is under to protect its centuries-old diamond monopoly.