Diamonds – a Geek’s Best Friend? - Computers With Bling?

Commentators discussing these developments have often focused particularly on the jewelry aspects. How will DeBeers react, now that their diamond monopoly is threatened? Or is it really threatened, given that these are man-made, and many people will continue to prefer mined diamonds for the symbolism? On the other hand, could these diamonds win out over mined diamonds, since it is impossible for them to be “blood diamonds” (diamonds sold by African rebels to fund wars and revolutions)?

Looking at the computer angle, it may still be a couple of years or more before we start seeing computers with this kind of bling. As late as June 2003, Intel’s interest in diamonds could be described as hesitant. “Diamonds represent a seismic change in semiconductors,” stated Krishnamurthy Soumyanath, Intel’s director of communications circuits research, interviewed by Wired News. “It takes us about 10 years to evaluate a new material. We have a lot of investment in silicon. We’re not about to abandon that.”

If Moore’s Law continues its current progression, however, they will be forced to abandon silicon eventually. Diamonds can stand up to temperatures several times those at which silicon melts. Perhaps a few years down the line, you’ll be running a computer with a heart of diamond. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even buy one to propose to your girlfriend.