What Is A Diamond Simulant?
A diamond simulant is a gemstone created to look like a diamond but is visually and chemically different. There are many diamond simulants, the most common being Cubic Zirconias (CZ). Another common diamond simulant is moissanite. Both of these look like diamonds but are not real diamonds at all.
It is important to note that simulants are not chemically or physically similar to diamonds at all. The only thing that connects them to diamonds is that they look similar. Since these are not chemically or physically similar to diamonds, this means that they sell at a far lower price point than either a lab-grown diamond or a natural diamond.
Diamond Simulant Vs Lab-Grown Diamond
While both are created in a lab, diamond simulants are made to only look like a diamond and have nothing else in common. Lab-grown diamonds however are compositionally diamonds and have the same structure as a natural diamond.
Diamond simulants are made to simulate a diamond and not much else. These can be made from several different gemstones but are compositionally and optically different.
Appearance
You can easily tell a diamond simulant apart from a natural or lab-grown diamond simply by how it looks. If you were to get a moissanite diamond, it has double refractive properties. It will look fierier than a natural diamond, making it easier to tell apart by the naked eye.
Some other things to note about diamond simulants are
- They are soft
- Have rounded facet edges
- Colorless for the most part
- Will be internally flawless
- Will be fluorescent uniformly
Cost
Diamond simulants are far more cost-effective than a natural or lab-grown diamond. If you are on a very tight budget and want something that will still shimmer and shine, then the diamond simulant is worth the investment. You can stay within budget and get the ring of your dreams without compromising the size of the center stone. You can get a much larger gemstone at a fraction of the cost of what it would be to get a natural diamond.
Cons of Diamond Simulants
While they may look like a diamond and are much cheaper than a diamond, this does not come without its own issues.
- While fine for regular, daily wear, the simulants are a lot softer and not as durable as a natural diamond. This opens the gemstone up to scratching and potential breakage.
- Diamond simulants let out a small rainbow sparkle that is much different than a diamond. If you opt for a larger simulant, the larger this rainbow emittance will be. While this may not be suitable for many couples, the trend in simulants is growing in popularity,
Conclusion
While not for everyone, the diamond simulant is growing in popularity. Stones like cubic zirconia and moissanite are two of the many different diamond simulants available to the public. With Emerson Fine Jewelry, you have the option to purchase either a lab-grown diamond, a natural diamond, or a diamond simulant. Contact us today to start planning out the ring of your dreams!