The Sparkling Science Of Diamond Simulants

Diamonds are admired for their beauty and value, making them a popular choice for jewellery. However, their high prices have led to a demand for more affordable alternatives. Diamond simulants are stones that have gemological characteristics similar to those of real diamonds but differ in chemical structure and physical properties. The best diamond simulants closely resemble real diamonds in terms of physical properties and overall appearance. They are also almost as hard, allowing them to be cut in a similar fashion to create similar fire, brilliance, and scintillation.

Some of the most popular diamond simulants include moissanite, white sapphire, and cubic zirconia (CZ). Moissanite, with a Mohs scale rating of 9.25, is one of the hardest substances on Earth, making it highly scratch-resistant and suitable for everyday wear. White sapphire, with a rating of 9, is a natural gemstone that offers a similar look to traditional diamonds. Cubic zirconia, with a rating of 8.25-8.5, is widely used due to its affordable price, durability, and close visual likeness to diamonds.

Moissanite

In 1995, Charles Eric Hunter formed Charles & Colvard (formerly C3 Inc.) to market gem-quality moissanite. The company received patents to create and market lab-grown silicon carbide gemstones, introducing moissanite to the jewellery market as a diamond alternative in 1998. As a diamond alternative, moissanite has some optical properties that exceed those of a diamond. It is also marketed as a lower-priced alternative to diamonds, as it does not involve the expensive mining practices used for natural diamonds.

On the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, moissanite is rated as 9.25, compared to 10 for diamonds. Moissanite exhibits thermochromism, meaning that heating it gradually will cause it to temporarily change colour, starting at around 65 °C. It also has higher electrical conductivity than diamonds. Additionally, moissanite is birefringent, meaning that light sent through the material splits into separate beams, which is not the case for diamonds.

White sapphire

However, white sapphires do not have the same sparkle or "fire" as diamonds. They are also softer than diamonds and will appear duller and less colourful in comparison. A well-cut diamond will show more brilliance, dispersion, and scintillation than a well-cut white sapphire. This means that diamonds will appear brighter, with more colourful flashes and sparkles of light.

Cubic zirconia

Natural and lab-grown diamonds have tiny imperfections within the stone called inclusions. Cubic zirconia, on the other hand, has no natural internal flaws but can show signs of its lab-grown origins, such as tiny gas bubbles that contain unmelted zirconium dioxide powder. Cubic zirconia stones are cut and polished after they are made and can be cut into many common diamond shapes, including round, princess, pear, and cushion.

Synthetic diamonds

The process of creating synthetic diamonds can be done through two main methods: High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD). HPHT involves applying high pressure and temperature to a diamond seed, while CVD creates a carbon plasma over a substrate onto which carbon atoms deposit to form a diamond. Other methods include explosive formation, sonication of graphite solutions, and crystallisation inside liquid metal.

The emergence of synthetic diamonds in the market has created concerns in the diamond trading business, leading to the development of special spectroscopic devices and techniques to distinguish between synthetic and natural diamonds. Despite this, synthetic diamonds remain a popular choice for consumers due to their lower price point and ethical considerations.

In summary, synthetic diamonds are man-made diamonds that possess the same chemical and physical properties as their natural counterparts. They are created through controlled technological processes and offer a more affordable, sustainable, and ethical alternative to natural diamonds. Synthetic diamonds are widely used across industries and are becoming increasingly popular in jewellery, especially for engagement rings and wedding bands.

Lab-grown diamonds

The main difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds is their formation process and origin. Natural diamonds are formed deep in the Earth over millennia, whereas lab-grown diamonds are produced by humans in a matter of weeks or months in a strictly regulated laboratory environment.

Overall, lab-grown diamonds offer consumers a brilliant, durable, and budget-friendly option that is also environmentally and socially conscious.

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