Diamond market

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I want a stone so un-natural that the mineral is named cthulite.

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Veblen good - Wikipedia

(en.wikipedia.org)

A Veblen good is a type of luxury good, named after American economist Thorstein Veblen, for which the demand increases as the price increases, in apparent contradiction of the law of demand, resulting in an upward-sloping demand curve. The higher prices of Veblen goods may make them desirable as a status symbol in the practices of conspicuous consumption and conspicuous leisure. A product may be a Veblen good because it is a positional good, something few others can own.

That said, part of the problem with lab-grown diamonds is that they're not competing against a rare commodity. They're competing against a powerful vertically integrated cartel. There isn't any real diamond shortage, just a supply-side monopoly. There isn't a natural high demand for diamonds, just a market saturated with aggressive advertising. There isn't a wholesale diamond exchange judging the rocks objectively on their quality, just a series of elaborate marketing gimmicks and scammy sales goons trying to upsell you.

Diamonds have always been a racket. The one blessing of manufactured diamonds is that they're no longer a racket putting market pressure on industrial grade diamond equipment. But the jewelry exists to separate gullible superficial status-fixated people from their money. Ethics was never part of the equation.

southsamurai

They aren't that much cheaper

Getting there, but not down to what I'd call cheaper yet

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These exist

It's a rabbit hole. Some of these things don't even have names. You can buy them and wear that shit in a ring. Some of them are wildly expensive. But imagine somebody asking you what that stone is and being able to say, I don't know lol

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This. If you really want an economical alternative, moissanite is a great option. Obviously not 1 for 1, but pretty damn close for jewelry.

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Moissanite (Synthetic Silicon Carbide):

While natural silicon carbide (moissanite) does exist, it is extremely rare and is not used in jewelry. The moissanite used in jewelry is entirely synthetic.
Its properties, such as brilliance and hardness, make it a common alternative to diamonds.
YAG (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet):

Originally developed for industrial and laser applications, YAG is sometimes used as a gemstone.
Although it is named a "garnet," it is not related to the natural garnet family of minerals.
Strontium Titanate:

Developed in the mid-20th century as a diamond simulant.
It has a much higher dispersion than diamond, giving it a fiery brilliance, but it is too soft for practical jewelry use.
Synthetic Rutile:

While natural rutile exists, the synthetic version created in the lab has been used as a gemstone due to its high dispersion and brilliance.
The synthetic version is engineered for specific optical qualities.
Titanium Sapphire (Ti:Sapphire):

A synthetic material often used in lasers. While not commonly used in jewelry, it is a synthetic gemstone that does not naturally occur in this form.
These synthetic gemstones are often engineered for specific aesthetic, optical, or industrial purposes and are distinct from natural gemstones, either because they do not naturally occur in gem-quality form or because they are entirely man-made.

Synthetic Alexandrite (Czochralski or Flame Fusion):

Although natural alexandrite exists, synthetic versions often have unique compositions or colors that don’t occur naturally, created purely for novelty.
Boron Nitride Crystals:

Synthetic boron nitride can be engineered into gem-like forms. It’s extremely rare in nature and appears in fascinating, unusual forms in the lab.
Synthetic Opal (Novel Patterns):

Lab-grown opals can exhibit color patterns or transparency levels not seen in natural opals, such as extreme brightness or perfectly uniform "play-of-color."
Synthetic Quartz Variants:

Quartz can be synthesized with inclusions or colorations (e.g., deep purple or unique patterns) that are unattainable in natural environments.
Colored Synthetic Diamonds:

Lab-created diamonds can be grown with colors that are extremely rare or impossible in nature, such as perfectly vibrant reds, blues, or even neon shades due to precise chemical doping.
Bismuth Crystals:

While not technically a gemstone, synthetic bismuth crystals are grown in labs and have rainbow-colored, step-like structures not naturally found in geological settings.
Synthetic Spinel:

While spinel exists naturally, synthetic spinel can be created in colors or with clarity not found in nature, such as vibrant neon hues.
Synthetic Perovskites:

Perovskites are naturally occurring but rare in gem-quality form. Synthetic versions, often used in solar panels, can be cut into unusual, sparkling gems.
Synthetic Corundum with Patterns:

Sapphire and ruby (corundum) can be synthesized with added colors or patterns, such as stars, gradients, or even mixed hues that are impossible naturally.
Gallium Nitride Crystals:

Used in electronics but can be fashioned into gemstones with unusual optical properties, entirely absent from nature.
Synthetic Fluorite Variants:

While fluorite exists in nature, synthetic fluorite can exhibit colors and patterns engineered for jewelry or purely aesthetic purposes.
Zirconium Carbide or Nitride:

These materials are synthetic and metallic, with a high refractive index and an unusual, futuristic appearance when polished.
Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) Crystals:

MOFs are a class of synthetic porous crystals with complex geometric structures and vibrant colors, making them unique and striking.
Hyper-Modified Glass or Vitreous Materials:

Glass-like gemstones doped with rare elements (such as europium or neodymium) can fluoresce or shift colors in ways impossible in natural stones.
Synthetic Garnets (Uncommon Types):

Garnets like gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) or yttrium iron garnet (YIG) are synthesized for industrial purposes but can be cut into gemstones.
These stones are not just rare but impossible to find naturally, offering a unique and unconventional aesthetic perfect for someone looking to stand out.