There
are some stones simulating diamond. They have
the appearance of natural diamond, however,
they do not share the same physical, optical,
and chemical properties. The most common simulates
include Colorless Glass, White Sapphire, White
Topaz, Cubic Zirconia, and Moissanite. Cubic
Zirconia is actually the better diamond simulate,
even though it is softer than Moissanite.
None of any of these simulates can compare
to diamonds natural inherent beauty or durability.
|
Property
|
Natural
Diamond
|
Synthetic
Diamond
|
Cubic
Zirconia
|
Moissanite
|
| Chemical
Composition |
Carbon
- C |
Carbon
- C |
Zirconium
Silicate - ZrSiO4 |
Silicon
Carbide - SiC |
| Hardness |
10 |
10 |
8.5 |
9.25 |
| Toughness |
Good |
Good |
Good |
Excellent |
| Specific
Gravity |
3.52 |
3.52 |
5.65-5.98 |
3.21 |
| Refractive
Index |
2.42 |
2.42 |
2.17 |
2.65-2.69 |
| Dispersion |
0.044 |
0.044 |
0.060 |
0.104 |
| Characteristics |
|
Share
the identical optical, chemical, and
physical properies of natural diamonds.
Detection of synthetic diamond is very
difficult. Testing procedures involve
evaluation of magnetic properties, fluorescence
patterns and the identification of diagnostic
inclusions. Due to prohibited manufacturing
costs, these are not used in jewelry. |
Hazy
Transparency, Gas Bubbles, 'Stingers',
Read-Through, Fogs-Up using huff test.
|
'Double
Refraction' is detected through crown
facets. Silk-like Inclusions, High Dispersion
(the fire) very unlike diamond. |
Cubic
Zirconia (CZ):
Cubic Zirconia (CZ) is almost as briliant
as diamond, has even greater fire (which masks
its lesser brilliance), and is relatively
hard, giving it good durability and wearability.
CZ is also being produced today in fancy colors
(such as red, green, and yellow), and it can
provide a nice alternative as means to offset
or dress up colored stones in jewelry if diamonds
are not affordable.CZ is approximately 75%
heavier than a diamond of the same spread.
For example, a CZ that looks like a 1 carat
diamond sizewise will weight 1.75 carats.
Moissanite:
Moissanite (Silicon Carbide) is lighter
than diamond, however, it is much harder
than CZ, even harder than ruby or sapphire,
which means it is very durable material
that can take a very high polish. It has
even greater brilliance and much more fire
(dispersion) than either diamond or CZ.
Moissanite has a distinctive appearance,
and may make an attractive choice for those
who want something new and different. Only
time will tell whether or not it will replace
CZ as the diamond imitation of the 21st
century.
Synthetic
Diamonds:
Synthetic diamonds are diamonds that are
made in laboratory. Unlike CZ, moissanite,
and other diamond imitations, all of which
differ from diamond physically and chemically,
synthetic diamond duplicates the natural,
i.e., it is scientifically produced in a
laboratory with virtually the same physical
and chemical properties. In essence, it
is diamond. But it is not identical. Since
it is grown in laboratories, it shows distinctive
growth features not seen in natural diamonds,
so all synthetic diamonds now being produced
can be separated by experienced gemologists
using routine gemological tests. Nonetheless,
because it is so much like the natural,
unlike imitations, a synthetic diamond could
be easily confused with a natural diamond
without proper testing.
|
