The Hong family, some 50 strong, all live together in one building. Together they make over half of the world's high-quality synthetic "Soviet" diamonds.

Inside the seven-storey building in Taipei's Hsinchuang suburb live old Mrs. Hong and her eight sons, eight daughters-in-law, two daughters, two sons-in-law, 28 grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. In the same building, the Hongs each day produce over 3000 kg. (about 6600 1b.) of synthetic diamonds. And the production has grown every year now by 20 percent.

Fake diamonds go back a long way in history. In earlier days, before the technology to produce artificial diamonds was developed, people tried using any clear, white stone as an imitation. The swindling of an English pawnbroker by a man who passed off a white hyacinth stone as a diamond led to the creation a jewellers' association specializing in verification.

In 1955, General Electric produced the first "true" artificial diamond. The manmade diamond had all the qualities and characteristics of a natural diamond, but because the cost was too high it was never produced commercially.

Later, scientists using other methods developed other manmade diamonds, commonly called the "American" diamond and the "Swiss" diamond. But the quality was not up to expectations.

Then in 1973, scientists of the Soviet Union announced that they had developed a manmade diamond which, while still not hard enough for industrial purposes, could vie with natural diamonds in its color and brilliance.

The appearance of the "Soviet" diamond caused a stir in the diamond industry, and a shock to many pawnbrokers, since it could also be used to imitate sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and other jewels. Only after dealers began using electronic scales to measure specific gravity did the swindling gradually diminish.

While the Soviet diamond did raise a counterfeiting problem, it is nevertheless highly regarded in jewelry circles for two reasons. It can be worn without worry of loss and yet is psychologically satisfying to the diamond lover, so many owners of real diamonds prefer to wear it instead. Also, it can be used as a tool in differentiating the coloration of natural diamonds and is exported to Europe for just that purpose.

How did the Hongs get started making diamonds? The key figure was son number six, Henry. Currently a professor at the ROC's Industrial Technology and Research Institute, Dr. Hong was engaged in materials research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology seven years ago when he first heard about the Soviet diamond. Not much later he came across an article in a Chinese newspaper and learned that the ROC was a world center for cutting artificial diamonds but that the raw materials came from the U.S. and the U.S.S.R.

For Dr. Hong, who had always intended to return to his country and start up a business, that clicked. He resolved to come up with a way to make synthetic diamonds, return home, and open a factory.

Now Dr. Hong is a methodical man. He rented a workshop in the U.S. and used his spare time to research diamond synthesis. After half a year, he was successful.

Putting up what they could and borrowing from banks, the 10 Hong siblings got together NT$10 million (about (US$250,000) and set up Taiwan Crystals & Gems, Inc., with a factory in Hsin-chuang.

The early days of the company are recalled by brother number seven, Hong Yao-pang, "None of the jewel companies believed we could produce synthetic diamonds. I don't know how many doors I got slammed in my face."

But after the first year of operation, everything was right on track. Dr. Hong returned home after 13 years abroad and took up his professorship. Although the company is not his primary occupation, it still gives him a great sense of achievement: "Before, our country had to spend money to import manmade diamonds from overseas. Now, we not only no longer import them--we export them in large quantities. That not only saves foreign exchange, but earns a big sum of it instead. In this way, I can feel I'm making some small contribution to the country."

Dr. Hong reflects, "Those of us who study abroad must come back to our country and produce something no one else here produces. In the synthesis of diamonds, for instance, the temperature, atmosphere control, and the amount and quality of crystallization all belong to the realm of technology, or know-how. We've got to grasp the know-how before we can make the bucks."

Dr. Hong stresses, "Our process was researched all on our own. The process is different from the Russians', the Americans', and the Germans', and they each have their own methods, as well."

At first, most of the company's production was sold domestically. But three or four years ago, with the rise in labor costs, diamond cutting centers moved abroad. Now most of the Hong family's diamonds are exported, primarily to Southeast Asia. The company can make a shipment by air freight the same day it receives an order.

After seven years of hard work, the Hongs paid back their loans. Last year, they moved into their new seven-storey building. Floors one and two belong to the factory; three through seven are home to the eight Hong brothers and sisters and their families. Old Mrs. Hong has a room in each home, so she can stay overnight with each of her children.

By making synthetic diamonds, the Hongs have become successful and prosperous. But there is one thing in which the Hongs have no interest now: diamonds.

"Even if you wear a real one, people think it's a fake," old Mrs. Hong sighs.

[Picture Caption]

The dazzling Soviet diamond looks like the real thing.

The Soviet diamond brings the 50-some members of the Hong family together every day.

When Dr. Henry Hong returned from overseas to set up a business, old Mrs. Hong beamed with smiles.

Fresh from the furnace, synthetic diamonds resemble mouth-watering foot-round cakes. But their temperature of over 2000℃ is enough to keep one at a distance.

Cooled off, the diamond blocks are shattered and the pieces then sorted.

The sorting process is painstaking. Pieces not up to par are sent back to the furnace to be "recooked."

The Soviet diamond brings the 50-some members of the Hong family together every day.

When Dr. Henry Hong returned from overseas to set up a business, old Mrs. Hong beamed with smiles.

Fresh from the furnace, synthetic diamonds resemble mouth-watering foot-round cakes. But their temperature of over 2000℃ is enough to keep one at a distance.

Cooled off, the diamond blocks are shattered and the pieces then sorted.

The sorting process is painstaking. Pieces not up to par are sent back to the furnace to be "recooked.".