Diamond Simulants / Artificial Diamonds – Diamond Hybrids
Friday, January 26th, 2007Over the past half-century, man made diamonds have become more prevalently used in jewelry making around the globe. Because of its lower cost and likeness to real diamonds, diamond hybrids have remained the most important diamond simulant. It is one of the most widely sold man made diamond types today. It holds all the properties expected in a real diamond, but is a much more affordable option.
Purchasing a diamond hybrid in place of a real diamond has its advantages. The first advantage is obvious: the cost. Because the cost is significantly lower, people are able to own several pieces of diamond-like jewelry for the same price as owning one real diamond necklace, bracelet, or ring. Also, because it looks very much like the real thing, those who view it won’t know the difference. From a distance, it looks bright and shimmering like the real thing.
The high price of gem-grade diamonds has created a demand for materials that offer the same properties and advantages, but that are much more affordable. diamond simulants are, however, distinct from synthetic diamonds, which are actually made up in part of real diamonds. Because of this, synthetic diamonds have the properties of natural diamonds.
A diamond simulant, however, may be natural, artificial, or in some cases, a combination of the two. While the material properties of a diamond simulant are different from those of natural diamonds, simulants do have certain characteristics that make them a desirable option. These characteristics include dispersion and hardness. This makeup is part of what lends diamond simulants to imitation, and in some cases, only gemologists with a trained eye are able to distinguish the difference between natural and synthetic diamonds and diamond simulants. This is difficult and done primarily through visual inspection.
The most common diamond simulants are high-leaded glass, which include rhinestones and cubic zirconia. Both are artificial materials that are formed to look like diamonds, and also take on many of their characteristics. This is why they are more affordable than actual diamonds, and why they are often the preferred buy across the board. This is also one of the main reasons why diamond simulants and artificial diamonds such as cubic zirconia and diamond hybrids remain very popular among jewelry lovers today, and why that aren’t expected to change any time soon.



