Simulated Diamonds Vs Real Diamonds
Simulated diamonds are made to look similar to natural diamonds, but they still offer a sparkly look and style that is all their own. However, natural diamonds are more durable and built to last, so you can save money on them in the long run, and natural diamonds also make great sentimental pieces.
Buying a Simulated Diamond
Many people need clarification about the difference between diamonds and diamond simulants. While both are valuable and beautiful, they have different physical and chemical properties. Simulants, or diamond replicas, are artificial and do not share the real thing’s chemical properties or color spectrum. In addition, they are more affordable than natural diamonds and easily distinguish from one another with the naked eye.
Simulants have a similar sparkle to a natural diamond but do not scratch or chip as quickly. If you wear a simulated diamond, you may need to maintain or replace it more often than a natural diamond. However, it is best to stick with the real thing if you love diamonds. The quality of natural diamonds will last for a long time, which means you will save money in the long run. If you want to resell it, you can easily do so.
Simulated diamonds can be either colorless or reasonably white. Some of them, like cubic zirconia and white sapphire, can be nearly colorless. But a few are slightly yellow. This makes them less suitable for engagement rings. They may also scratch or discolor. Ultimately, the price is the most significant difference between actual and simulated diamonds. In some cases, switching from a natural diamond to a simulated one could save you hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Although lab-created diamonds are cheaper, they may look more authentic than the real thing. This is because these diamonds are created in a laboratory under highly controlled conditions and without the risk of damaging the environment. During the growth process, a seed is placed in a special chamber. After that, a chemical reaction takes place inside the chamber.
Optical Differences Between a Simulated Diamond and a Natural Diamond
Whether buying a diamond engagement ring or a wedding ring, you should know that simulated and real diamonds have very different optical properties. Simulated diamonds are synthetic stones made in labs that look and feel like natural diamonds but lack the unique characteristics that make them so precious. For example, they do not have the same hardness, clarity, or color and tend to be much cheaper than natural diamonds. The most common simulated diamonds are cubic zirconia, crystal, and Moissanite.
Simulated diamonds sparkle more than real diamonds because their light travels through them. Moissanite, on the other hand, produces colorful flashes of light when hit by light. These differences are not obvious to the naked eye, but an expert gemologist can tell the difference between a real diamond and a simulated one. To conduct the test, you need to first clean the diamond with a soft cloth. Next, hold it between your two fingers or tweezers. After a few minutes, you can breathe on the diamond.
Another important difference between a simulated diamond and a natural diamond is its carat weight. Natural diamonds have a higher carat weight than simulated ones, meaning that the former is more valuable than the latter. Lab-grown diamonds, on the other hand, are created in a lab. As a result, they are made using high-quality materials, therefore more durable and lasting longer.
When comparing simulated diamonds to real diamonds, look at their color and clarity. Usually, simulated diamonds have yellow or brown tints, while real diamonds are completely colorless. In addition, the transparency of the simulated diamond is a very important difference between simulated diamonds and real diamonds. The former is harder, while the latter is softer and can be scratched easily. A real diamond is usually completely clear, while its simulated counterparts may have inclusions.
Mohs Hardness Scale
Simulated diamonds are synthetic materials that have the same physical properties as diamonds. These synthetic materials are generally less expensive and often have fewer flaws than real diamonds. They are also less scratch resistant and are not as hard as real diamonds. However, this does not mean simulated diamonds are less beautiful or durable.
Both real and lab-grown diamonds are hard. Natural diamonds are the hardest substance known to man, scoring a ten on the Mohs hardness scale. However, because they are durable, these stones are a better choice for everyday wear. While lab-grown diamonds are not as hard as natural diamonds, they are made under controlled conditions in a lab.
One of the earliest diamond simulants was the colorless quartz. Quartz has a hardness rating of 7-8 on the Mohs scale. Although quartz is a hard substance, it lacks the fire and brilliance of a diamond.
Diamonds are one of the most valuable creations of nature. The hardness of diamonds is measured by comparing their scratching abilities with other minerals. The hardest material is the diamond, three times harder than all other materials. Other minerals, such as cubic zirconia and Moissanite, are slightly harder than diamond.
Simulated diamonds are often compared to real diamonds due to their optical properties, but some differences exist. The difference between them lies in their chemical properties. For example, a simulated diamond will wear out faster than a real diamond and won’t have as many optical properties. As a result, they will also show signs of wear more easily.
The main difference between simulated diamonds and real diamonds is their hardness. Although the two are similar in appearance, they are made in laboratories. Cubic zirconia is a material without carbon and is, therefore, less hard than a real diamond.
Cost of a Simulated Diamond vs. a Real Diamond
There are several differences between a simulated diamond and a real diamond. For starters, a simulated diamond does not have the same physical or chemical properties as a real diamond, which can make it a much cheaper option. These diamonds are created in labs and lack the sparkle and luster of a real diamond. In addition, simulated diamonds are also much cleaner than real diamonds. However, despite their low prices, these diamonds can still cost thousands of dollars. So, it is always best to stick to a real diamond if possible.
Another difference between a simulated diamond and a real diamond is the color. While simulated diamonds are white, real diamonds can have yellow, brown, or a combination of colors. This is because diamonds vary greatly in color. Unlike lab-grown diamonds, natural diamonds usually have a yellow or brown tint, but it is still possible to find a colorless diamond.
Although a natural diamond is more expensive, lab-grown diamonds are cheaper but still have the benefit of being rare. Since the supply of natural diamonds is limited, their prices will likely increase over time. For example, a lab-grown diamond with the same clarity, color, and cut would cost approximately $2,300.
Another difference between a real diamond and a simulated diamond is that natural diamonds have much higher resale value. Lab-grown diamonds can fall to half what they were priced for in a year or two. This difference is even greater if you consider the difference in the resale value. In addition, natural diamonds retain approximately 50% of their initial value when sold, which makes them a much better investment than lab-grown ones.
Despite being heavier and more durable than their real counterparts, simulated diamonds aren’t always the best choice. For these reasons, it is important to choose a stone carefully. If you’re worried about the durability of a simulated diamond, you can opt for a diamond-like alternative such as Moissanite.
FAQ’s
Are simulated diamonds just as good as real diamonds?
Is there any value in simulated diamonds? Diamond simulants can be a stunning alternative to diamonds, but because they are not the same compositionally and optically as diamonds, they often do not hold their value as well over time.