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When it comes to choosing a diamond for an engagement ring, a piece of fine jewelry, or any other significant occasion, it’s essential to know what you're getting. While lab-grown diamonds are a high-class, sustainable choice, some consumers are still opting for diamond simulants like moissanite and cubic zirconia mainly due to the difference in price. However, they choose these materials without realizing that they are not even close to the same level as real diamonds—whether grown in a lab or mined from the earth.
Lab-Grown Diamonds: Real Diamonds in Every Way
Lab-grown diamonds are chemically and physically identical to natural diamonds. Whether created using HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) machines that mimic the conditions of the earth’s mantle, or CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) machines that grow diamond crystals from carbon-rich vapor, these diamonds have the same physical properties, chemical composition, and light performance as natural diamonds.
This means that lab-grown diamonds have the same brilliance, fire, and durability in which diamonds are prized for. Their unique sparkle is due to the precise way they refract light, making them an enduring symbol of luxury, rarity, and beauty. A lab-grown diamond’s hardness is the same as a natural diamond, ranking 10 on the Mohs scale—meaning it’s resistant to scratches and can withstand the obstacles of daily wear.
The Drawbacks of Moissanite
Though often marketed as a diamond alternative, moissanite is quite different from a real diamond. Although most moissanite is lab-created, it comes nowhere close to a diamond in terms of structure or quality, and is ultimately just a piece of silicon material.
Most moissanite is factory-manufactured in China, where large-scale operations churn out this material at affordable prices. But affordability aside, moissanite massively lacks the rarity and prestige of a diamond. In fact, the entire global market for moissanite is just $48 million—a fraction of the diamond industry’s value.
While moissanite has a higher hardness than most gemstones (9.25 on the Mohs scale), it is still fragile and prone to getting chipped. This means that while it’s scratch-resistant, it can easily be damaged by everyday wear and tear. Unlike diamonds, which are almost indestructible, moissanite will show signs of damage, making it a far less desirable choice for items like engagement rings that are meant to last a lifetime.
In addition, moissanite’s double refraction creates a different type of sparkle from diamonds. Rather than the soft, magical brilliance of a diamond, moissanite’s sparkle is often more exaggerated and can appear "artificial" to trained eyes. Professional jewelers can easily distinguish moissanite from diamonds due to this distinctive visual difference.
Moissanite Properties:
- Hardness: 9.25 on the Mohs scale (not as hard as diamond)
- Refractive Index: 2.65 (Double refraction creates a less refined sparkle)
Why Cubic Zirconia Falls Short
Cubic zirconia (CZ) is another common diamond simulant that falls significantly short of the real thing. With a Mohs hardness of just 8, CZ is much softer than both moissanite and diamonds, which means it scratches and wears down much faster. Its refractive index is lower than both moissanite and diamonds, meaning it doesn't exhibit the same dazzling sparkle. While it may look shiny at first, the sparkle quickly fades when viewed from angles other than directly above.
CZ is also extremely cheap to produce, and its affordability makes it a common choice for costume jewelry. However, its low cost reflects its low quality, and it’s not something that can really be mistaken for a real diamond. If you’re looking for a lasting, elegant piece of jewelry, cubic zirconia is not the right choice.
Cubic Zirconia Properties:
- Hardness: 8 on the Mohs scale (much softer than diamond and moissanite)
- Refractive Index: 2.15-2.18 (Lower than both moissanite and diamond, leading to less sparkle)
Other Diamond Simulants: Not Worth the Investment
In addition to moissanite and cubic zirconia, there are other materials that have been used as diamond simulants. These include high-leaded glass, white sapphire, and other less common materials. However, these options significantly lack in comparison to diamonds, whether lab-grown or natural.
For instance, white sapphires may look somewhat similar to diamonds but lack the brilliance and fire that a diamond, whether natural or lab-grown, provides. Similarly, high-leaded glass often looks cheap and does not hold up over time, appearing more like fancy glass than a gemstone worthy of fine jewelry.
Other Simulants:
- High-leaded glass: Low-quality, often looks cheap like glass
- White Sapphire: Softer than diamond and lacks sparkle
- Other simulants: Often less durable and not diamond-like in appearance
Conclusion: Choose Lab-Grown Diamonds for Real Value
While stimulants like moissanite and cubic zirconia may be tempting due to their affordability, they simply don’t match-up to the quality and prestige of lab-grown diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds offer the same stunning appearance, durability, and timeless elegance as natural diamonds, while still having a considerably lower price tag.
For those looking to purchase a genuine, long-lasting symbol of love, luxury, and sophistication, lab-grown diamonds are the ultimate choice. They offer all the beauty and brilliance of a natural diamond at a more sustainable and accessible price, setting them apart from inferior alternatives like moissanite and cubic zirconia.