Hands down, moissanite is the number one alternative when it comes to the best
Cubic Zirconia
Because of its low cost, durability, and close visual likeness to diamond, CZ is widely considered as one of the best faux diamonds. Since its market entry in 1976 CZ quickly dominated the diamond simulant market and it remains the most gemologically and economically important simulant.
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.
Cubic zirconium – It scratches easily and does not have the same fire and shine as diamonds. Commonly known as synthetic diamond. Moissanite – Moissanite is harder than cubic zirconium and this stone is visually extremely bright, especially so as to blind the eyes temporarily.
Moissanite is a more enduring gemstone than cubic zirconia, creating it a foremost choice for engagement rings. Because of its high refractive index, the light will be remembered more brightly from its surface due to its arrangement.
And could it be passed off as a diamond? To the majority of people in your life, yes. If they don't know what they're looking for, moissanite can most certainly pass as a diamond if that is your intention.
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.
You will see that the diamond has white or silvery sparkles only. However, cubic zirconia will give out colourful sparkles such as red, yellow or blue. Another important differentiating feature between these two stones is that a diamond possesses sharp facets, whereas a zirconium does not have sharp facets.
Moissanite is considered the most realistic fake diamond. The colorless, naturally occurring (but more often lab-made) mineral boasts an impressive hardness almost to the level of real diamonds. Cubic zirconia is another good option, but it's not as crystal-clear or as hard as moissanite.
This means that diamond jewelry is often imitated and sold as a real diamond. If you have been sold a fake diamond it is most likely to be CZ (Cubic Zirconia), an imitation created in a lab. While some choose to knowingly buy and sell CZ gems, others attempt to exploit the industry and sell them as real diamonds.
Forever One Moissanite is widely recognized as the most premium brand of Moissanite in the market. Created by Charles & Colvard, a US-based company, it stands as the original creator of Moissanite gems, with a wealth of experience in creating and faceting Moissanite gems that is unparalleled.
Moissanite has unparalleled sparkle! It has a higher refractive index than diamond, resulting in greater brilliance than diamond. Moissanite also has greater dispersion (fire) than a diamond, so you will notice more rainbow flashes of light.
Lab grown diamonds certainly have value for their appearance and durability, and as we've mentioned they are exactly the same as natural diamonds in chemical make-up and hardness. From a monetary standpoint, however, your lab grown diamonds aren't going to hold very much value after they are taken out of the store.
If your heart is set on a natural, mined stone, no alternative will look quite like a diamond. White sapphire will come the closest in brilliance without compromising durability, but make sure you're buying a mined white sapphire, not a lab-made stone.
The Golden Canary Diamond, weighing a colossal 303.10 carats and Fancy Deep Brownish-Yellow in color. The diamond is one of the largest polished diamonds in the world and the largest flawless or internally flawless diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America.
Moissanite disperses light very well and has higher light refraction than diamond, and will appear more brilliant. Additionally, moissanite is less likely to attract grease or dirt over time than a diamond due to its crystalline structure, which should help keep the 'sparkle' longer between cleanings.
Most synthetic diamonds look too good to be true all due to their extreme brilliance. Does your stone look really bright with lots of rainbow reflected colors? If so, it's most likely cubic zirconia. Yes, real diamonds are brilliant, but they are much more subtle than synthetics.
Moissanite was first discovered inside a meteor crater in Arizona back in 1893 by Henry Moissan. How much does 1-carat Moissanite cost? Depending on the quality grade and the brand, a 1-carat moissanite can cost anywhere between $200 to $600.
For diamonds over 2 carats, a clarity grade of VS2 or higher is the safest bet for avoiding any signs of visible inclusions. In diamonds between 1 and 2 carats, clarity grades of SI1 or better will not have inclusions easily visible to the naked eye.
Cubic zirconia is a popular diamond alternative. It's affordable, conflict-free, and looks just like a real diamond. The drawbacks are the lack of durability-with daily use, it will lose its shine and sparkle within a few years.
Over time, cubic zirconia pieces lose their shine. One of the most common reasons they dull and lose their luster is exposure to lotions, makeup, or hairspray. A scratch during cleaning can also make CZ jewelry pieces seem a little cloudier.
"Natural diamonds typically range anywhere from $7,000 to $10,000 per carat based on quality and exact specifications," Wegman says. "A cubic zirconia is typically less than $30 per 'carat.
Some jewelry stores in big cities sell rings with moissanite. Online jewelry shop. As many natural stores don't carry moissanite, searching online you can find the best prices, range, and variety of quality stones.
Yes. Moissanites are strong, long-lasting gemstones. A moissanite should last for your entire life without losing its appearance or becoming damaged. If you choose a setting that's made from a high-quality metal such as platinum or gold, a moissanite ring will last for a very long time.
Most people cannot tell the difference between moissanite and diamonds. The GIA has even stated that moissanite is “much closer to diamond in overall appearance and heft than any previous diamond imitation.” One way to tell apart moissanite from diamond is to examine the stone's brilliance and fire.