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Synthetic Diamonds, Moissanite And Cubic Zirconia
By http://www.diamondhome.info

There is much confusion among consumers regarding the nature and value of synthetic diamonds. This article will hopefully help to dispel some of the more common misconceptions.

A synthetic diamond is a diamond grown in a laboratory that has the same chemical composition and crystalline structure as a natural diamond. Its physical and optical properties are also virtually the same as those of a natural diamond. A synthetic, lab-created diamond is therefore a valuable gemstone, albeit not as expensive or desirable as a diamond which has been mined from the earth.

It is important to recognise the huge difference between synthetic diamonds and cubic zirconia, often referred to simply as CZ, which are simply diamond imitations with a totally different chemical composition, and markedly inferior optical properties, to natural or synthetic diamonds. Buyers should be very suspicious when internet sellers offer for sale so-called "lab-grown" diamonds at what appear to be bargain prices: these "diamonds" are invariably CZ, and are worth far, far less than the asking price. In fact CZ nowadays is very cheap indeed, costing typically a few dollars for an attractive one carat stone.

There are two main ways of producing synthetic or lab-created diamonds, the HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) method and the CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition) technique. It is not the purpose of this article to describe these methods at length, but simply to say that both methods produce gemstone crystals which are virtually indistinguishable from natural diamond crystals, and they can be faceted in exactly the same way.

There are thermal diamond testers available on the market which are very affordable for the amateur, which are useful for distinguishing diamond from CZ, or other white gemstones which could possibly be mistaken for diamond, such as white sapphires or topaz, or even very pale aquamarine. CZ and glass will give no reading at all on the thermal tester,

and other gemstones will give various readings but not as high as diamond. There is one diamond simulant called synthetic moissanite which will give a "diamond" result on the thermal tester, but there are now testers which can test for moissanite as well.

Unfortunately for the amateur, there is no instrument which will automatically distinguish real synthetic diamonds (if that is not too much of a contradiction in terms!) from real earth-mined diamonds. Only a trained gemologist with the aid of expensive laboratory instruments and visual expertise can positively detect synthetic diamonds. Some experienced jewellers might be able to do so as well, but it is always best to have the reassurance of a lab report, preferably from the GIA or another internationally reputed gemological laboratory.

In conclusion, the important thing to remember is that a natural, earth-mined diamond is the most expensive and valuable gemstone, and should always come with a laboratory report, because that is the only way you can be sure that your diamond is the real thing. If you like the look of a synthetic diamond and it tests as diamond on the thermal tester, there is no reason not to buy it provided it costs no more than half the price of a natural diamond of similar appearance. If you decide to buy a simulant, go for synthetic moissante, but again don't pay over the odds for it. Finally, if you buy a CZ, even a very pretty one, it should be very cheap - you can buy faceted CZ from craft suppliers for children's pocket money.

Finally, if a one carat diamond is going for anything less than several thousand dollars, forget it - you'll be wasting your money. Caveat Emptor!

John Tidball is a jeweller and gemmologist. He the proprietor and webmaster of PeerlessGems, a website dedicated to advice and guidance on the purchase of diamonds, engagement rings, diamond jewellery and precious gemstones.