Jewelry ·

What Is A Diamond Simulant?

A diamond simulant is an imitation that is meant to look like an actual diamond but the composition is different. The chemical, physical and optical characteristics are not the same as those of natural diamonds. Diamond simulants can be manufactured in laboratories. Some of the popular lab-made diamond simulants are cubic zirconia and moissanite.

Types Of Diamond Simulants

Natural Simulants

They include:

  • Topaz
  • Quartz
  • Zircon

Synthetic Simulants

They are:

  • Zirconia
  • Moissanite
  • Rutile
  • Spinel

Simulated Diamonds Vs. Real Diamonds

  • Hardness- according to the Mohs scale rate that tests minerals hardness, a diamond is said to be on top of all gems on earth. Diamonds are very hard enough to sustain wear and tear. On the other hand, with a diamond simulant, you might notice the appearance of scratches and abrasions after a while.
  • Price- real diamonds are expensive compared to simulated diamonds. The value of natural diamonds is high because of the origin. They were formed billions of years ago unlike lab-made diamond simulants.
  • Sparkle- simulants tend to sparkle when placed under light but their brightness is likely to fade with time. Real diamonds have a natural sparkle that becomes even better with polish.
Fire- synthetic simulants such as moissanite and rutile have more fire than diamond and because of that, it might be easy to notice that they are not real diamonds. However, we cannot ignore the fact that diamond has more fire compared to most diamond simulants.

The Value Of Diamond Simulants

Obviously, the value and price of an actual diamond is higher than that of a diamond simulant. A diamond simulant is not as hard as diamond, but some of them are durable enough to make a ring and jewelry. If you are looking for a diamond, consider unique characteristics and if it suits your needs. A well made diamond simulant is not easily noticeable unless you use professional equipment. At Greis Jewelers we will help you differentiate a real diamond from a simulant. Consider us when planning to buy that diamond piece.
Back to Blog