Gold is heavier than diamonds but since we're working solely off of the weight the equation becomes a relatively simple one. What is gold's price per gram?
Gold has a face centred cubic structure (one of two closest packing structures) with each atom touching 12 other gold atoms. Gold is far more dense than diamond and yet it is a fairly soft metal.
Gold easily tops these numbers with a density of 19.3 g/cm3. However, this does not make it the heaviest element, and not even the heaviest precious metal, an honour which goes to platinum with a density of 21.45 g/cm³. The elements osmium, iridium, rhenium, neptunium and plutonium are also heavier than gold.
What is Diamond Carat Weight? Carat is the unit of measurement for the physical weight of diamonds. One carat equals 0.200 grams or 1/5 gram and is subdivided into 100 points. For comparison, in units more familiar in the United States, one carat equals 0.007 ounce avoirdupois.
Steel is also denser than diamonds because each molecule weighs much more than a carbon atom alone. A diamond's smoothness allows it to easier to resist wear and tear for tools such as diamond tipped drills.
As the hardest gemstone known to man, diamonds are also extremely dense. This makes them durable and great for everyday wear but also makes them heavy. Because of their weight and density, diamonds sink when they're dropped into a glass of water. Unlike diamonds, crystals are not nearly as dense.
Be warned, however, that these tests may not be very accurate with today's synthetic gemstones. For example, one old adage holds that a real diamond will cut glass, whereas a fake will not. While it's true that diamonds are hard enough to cut glass, some synthetic gems can also scratch glass.
If it scratches the glass, chances are good that the diamond is real. But, it's important to know that the scratch test could damage your diamond in the process. It's also not the most effective way to see if your diamonds is real since other gemstones can have the same effect on the glass.
Platinum is the heaviest of all the precious metals weighing approximately twice as much as karat gold. Its purity makes it hypo-allergenic, perfect for people who are sensitive to the alloys used in gold.
A standard gold bar weighs 12.4 kilograms (which is 400 troy ounces, or 27.4 pounds). Banks across the world use this weight. In some cases, a 1-kilogram brick may be the standard (which is 32.15 troy ounces, or 2.2 pounds).
The average concentration of gold in Earth's crust is 'very, very low,' at 4 parts per billion. In its elemental form, gold is significantly rarer than diamonds.
The short answer is: diamonds are not the chemical element itself, but are a special form (crystallized, cubic) of the chemical element “C” carbon. Gold is the chemical element “AU” itself. This essential difference makes it possible to grow Lab Grown Diamonds.
In reality, diamonds actually aren't very rare. Diamonds are more common than other precious gemstones like emeralds, rubies, and tanzanite. In fact, even pure gold in its natural form is more rare than diamonds. Diamonds are made of carbon, which is the most abundant element on earth.
Diamonds are dense and will sink quickly, while certain imitations will sink more slowly. If your gem doesn't immediately sink to the bottom, it's likely a glass or quartz imitation.
The price ranges between $1,500-$3,000 per carat for black diamonds weighing between 1.00 to 3.00 carats. On the other hand, colorless diamonds may range between $2,500 to $153,000 per carat for clear diamonds weighing between 1.00 – 3.00 carats. That is a big price difference, right?
Here's a little more to know: 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.
A real diamond appears gray and white inside (brilliance) when held to the light and can reflect rainbow colors (fire) onto other surfaces. A fake diamond will display rainbow colors within the stone when held up to light.
We all love how a diamond shines in the sunlight. Test your stone by putting it in direct sunlight and examining the colors it reflects. A real diamond will reflect both rainbow colors as well as white light. If you only get one of the two, then the diamond isn't real.
If your white diamond has developed a yellowish tint, you can blame dirt or other substances. Even a light layer of dust or dirt can make a colorless diamond look yellow. Other possible culprits include hairspray, soap, and makeup. These substances can build up over time, making it look stained and discolored.
The Heat Test
To test this, hold the stone to a lighter and heat it up for 30 seconds before immediately dropping it into a glass of cool water. A real diamond wouldn't be affected by the drastic temperature change and simply sink to the bottom of the glass, but a fake diamond would shatter immediately.
A real diamond provides an exceptional sparkle since it reflects white light extremely well. In addition, diamonds can also reflect fire or colored light in a beautiful display. Compared to a stone like Cubic Zirconia, you'll be able to see a huge difference in the white and colored light sparkle.