The Man Made Diamonds

It’s worth understanding the terminology used by jewelers, if you are out to do some meaningful jewelry shopping. Most of people are aware of the 4C’s that determine the quality and hence the price of diamonds, but as a perspective buyer of diamonds you would do well to familiarize yourself with typical definitions related to gemstones, and diamonds in particular.

It’s perfectly fine for an average man to be ignorant of the terms like simulated diamond or synthetic diamond and interchange the two, but if you intend buying jewelry you must get familiar with the jargon and definition of oft used words by the jewelers.

We know that a natural diamond comes from the earth but nobody really knows how long it took to get formed.

A synthetic or lab-created diamond because of its physical features and chemical composition is the same as a natural one. The only difference is that it was born in a lab and not a mine. The shape, size and other features of a lab-produced diamond may vary but not necessarily their quality, which can be controlled technically.

So, it’s not surprising to learn that a natural diamond weighing one carat may be cheaper than a synthetic diamond that has better clarity, color and cut.

The quality and features of a synthetic or lab created diamond, including its brilliance, are so similar to a natural one that only a professional gemologist with the aid of some special equipment can differentiate between the two.

Simply put, simulated diamonds are diamond imposters. Quite like imposters, some are especially good while others just can’t really pull it off. Cubic Zirconia (CZ) is one such simulated diamond. Cubic Zirconia is bright and could beautifully be used in jewelry settings. However, none of its physical or chemical properties are anywhere near to a real diamond. It’s ideally used for costume jewelry.

But we have diamond simulates of better quality than CZ. So, you would better avoid jewelry pieces that the vendor suggests to pair up CZ with genuine gemstones like rubies.

Perhaps, the best of diamond simulates come by way of a material named Moissanite. Its excellent quality has earned it a place next to diamonds and is often studded in 14k and 18K gold along with genuine gemstones of the kind of sapphires!

It was in the mid 1980’s that Moissanite was first successfully produced in a lab. You may come across websites claming to have some pieces of ‘antique Moissanite’ jewelry. Now that you are made aware that there is no antique Moissanite, such claims shouldn’t carry you away. However, the store could be selling jewelry in antique designs. Note the difference in wording!

The FTC rules how terms like synthetic, lab-created, and simulated are to be used as regards diamonds and other gemstones. To the benefit of consumers, reliable jewelry stores and sellers running their businesses with honesty include such definitions and product descriptions on their pages. Now, it’s for the consumers to understand and go thru the information that’s furnished to them.