Simulated diamonds are also known as diamond simulants and include things like cubic zirconia (CZ), moissanite, and YAG. They can also include some natural clear gemstones like white sapphire, white zircon or even clear quartz.
Currently, lab-made cubic zirconia (CZ) is the most popular diamond lookalike. At a fraction of the price, it can rival diamond in brilliance (the light it reflects) and dispersion or fire (the colorful flashes that seem to come from within the stone).
Hands down, moissanite is the number one alternative when it comes to the best fake diamonds for a number of reasons. First of all, moissanite has a hardness that rivals an actual diamond. Diamonds rate 10 on the hardness scale, but moissanites come in a very close second, at 9.25.
Moissanite is undoubtedly the best diamond alternative on the market. If you love the look of a diamond engagement ring but can't afford the whopping price tag or don't want the ethical dilemma of buying a mined diamond, moissanite is the perfect stone for you.
White Sapphire is the clear winner in terms of a natural diamond alternative. Those choosing White Sapphire should expect white sparkle only as compared with the white and colored sparkle diamond offers. Check out Do Amore's White Sapphire collection here.
“A moissanite gem is approximately one-tenth the cost of a mined diamond of equal size and quality,” O'Connell says. “The value of moissanite is greater with larger carat weights.” More specifically, if you want a large-carat white gemstone, but don't have the money for a large diamond, moissanite is the way to go.
Moissanite rings make excellent alternatives to traditional diamonds because they are cheaper and more brilliant. However, while moissanite stones do create sparkle, some think it is actually too much for everyday wear, especially when compared to natural diamonds.
1 carat moissanite cost
As a guide, you can expect to pay around $5000 for a nearly colorless 1-carat diamond, but completely colorless moissanite will cost you significantly less at around $600.
1. Highly included and low clarity moissanite are unavailable for those that prefer lower quality gemstones. 2. Moissanite sparkles more than diamond which may be a downside for those that do not prefer it.
When lab created Moissanites became available on the market around 1980, jewelers had mutual interests to not mass release this gemstone into the market. Jewelers were aware of Moissanites but had all refused to sell or educate consumers on this gem since it would interfere with sales on highly profitable Diamonds.
Yes, some diamond simulants can pass a diamond tester.
For example, moissanite, a man made gem, may pass as a diamond on a standard tester pen. This is because moissanite also has very high thermal conductivity! Other diamond simulants, such as CZ, will not pass the tester.
There are few indicators to look for if you want to tell the difference between a Moissanite and a diamond. You will need specialised equipment such as a jeweller's loupe, Moissanite tester or a JFIRE tester to see some of these features.
Unless you've seen a lot of diamonds and just as much moissanite, you probably can't tell the difference. Even to a trained eye, because natural diamonds come in an infinite amount of colors, clarities, and cuts, some diamonds just look like moissanite.
Moissanite is a good choice for all types of jewelry because it is highly unlikely to chip. Moissanites have a PSI rating of 7.6, showing they are durable under extreme pressure. On the flip side, CZs have a PSI rating of 2.4. Comparing the hardness of the two gems, CZ is less than half as durable as moissanite.
Moissanite will not lose its sparkle as time passes. The clarity and color of the stone won't change through the years. Dirt and grime are the only common elements that may inhibit a ring's sparkle until it is cleaned. Damaging the surface of moissanite can inhibit sparkle, as it would for any gemstone.
Moissanites are significantly lower in price compared to diamonds of similar shape and dimensions, making them a budget-friendly alternative to a diamond. Moissanite gems vary in price only based on size and whether the stone is Premium or Super Premium.
Look at the color: Under certain lighting situations, moissanite frequently has a yellow or green hue, but diamonds do not. Your stone might be a diamond or another kind of gemstone if it appears colorless in all lighting conditions.
As Moissanite is grown in a laboratory, they do not have the usual cost of digging, shipping and the discovery of a common mineral diamond. So, the Moissanite rings and jewelry cost less per carat than a diamond engagement ring, yet they are a little better. This means a lot of bang for your money.
They're so iconic they have their own emoji. Round-cut moissanite has a spectacular and supremely gorgeous shine. Of all moissanite shapes, the round also looks the most like a diamond. So if you're looking for some dazzling sparkle or an ideal diamond dupe, this is the way.
No, Moissanite is not a lab diamond. While both lab diamonds and Moissanite are created in a laboratory setting, they are made of different materials and have different properties. Moissanite is a mineral made of silicon carbide, and it's not a diamond.
We've got good news for you: moissanite does not get cloudy! However, chemical buildup and dirt can start to dull its shine; same as with diamonds and other precious stones. If you keep your moissanite clean, it'll be crystal clear forever.
In fact, given that Moissanite is more heat-resistant than diamond, one could argue that it is even more atomically stable. Ultimately, Moissanite is the ideal choice for those seeking assurance that their jewelry will continue to sparkle for a lifetime and beyond.
Before buying the gemstone, you should ask the jeweler for its moissanite certificate of authenticity to ensure it underwent a laboratory test and has the approval of professional and trained gemologists.
Diamond jewelry resells at roughly 25%-35% of its retail value. Moissanite retail value is also much higher than its resale value but the news here is somewhat better, moissanite can be resold for 50%-60% of its purchase cost.
Here are some of our pro-tips for cleaning moissanite: The best way on how to clean moissanite is by using a soft toothbrush with dish soap and warm water. You can also use a commercial grade jewelry cleaner if need be. These cleaners work well by removing dirt that gets on your jewelry.