Is it impossible to produce a laser pointer without using a genuine jem stone?

[bettybegood694u]

I have a cheap pen/laser pointer which cost .99. My friend still insists that inside of this and all others a diamond or possibly another gem is present. Thank You for your help.I believe that modern science has created an alternative, cheaper, and more practical methods to producing such laser/pen pointers. Such as the use of synthetics or other manufactured material.

[eliminator_a]

In chemistry I learned it was RUBY (not just any gem stone) and a flashtube which creates a laser.

[screech]

Lasers are made by electromagnetic radiation, not by gemstones. You might be able to get a marginal focal point, but you would almost have no intensity over distance

[Novell_MCNE]

There a many different types of lasers, most of which do not need any kind of gemstone to function.Laser pointers use a semiconductor laser diode.

"Types of LasersThere are many d