For people who are interested in the best fake diamond, read on. For some time now, a massive spike in the interest in fake diamonds, and it is estimated that the demand and interest will not be letting up this year, or any time soon.
The reason why people are investing more in fake diamonds is simple: they look fabulous, and they cost far less than genuine diamonds. Faux diamonds come in many names, but the most easily recognizable ones are diamond simulants and diamond accents.
Some people also buy engagement rings with faux diamonds because they’re not sure if they are going to get the answer that they want. There is also the possibility that the diamond ring may not be desirable to the person who must wear it, so the person giving a ring can backtrack and buy another one – without spending more than the allotted budget.
Table of Contents
What differentiates the best fake diamonds from the bad ones?
The primary determinant for selecting the best faux diamond is its similarity to real diamonds. The similarities involve both the physical properties of the faux diamond the visual elements as well. The next determinant is processing: how was the faux diamond formed, cut, and polished?
And finally, we look at the durability of the fake diamonds in question. Real diamonds are nearly indestructible under normal conditions (and regular use), and the simulant should present almost the same level of durability.
If the simulant is easily cracked or damaged, it’s not an ideal faux diamond as it can be worn down quickly by the wearer, especially when the faux diamond is accidentally banged or dropped to the floor.
RELATED POST: How Much is a 1 Carat Diamond Worth?
Four of the Best Fake Diamonds
In the world of fake diamonds, four simulants stand out from the crowd: cubic zirconia, moissanite diamond, crystal or glass diamonds, and finally, white sapphire.
Cubic Zirconia
Because of its price, quality, durability, and appearance, cubic zirconia is popularly touted by many fans as the best type of simulant if you are interested in looking like you have genuine diamonds.
Cubic zirconia made its debut in the year 1976, and it remains one of the most practical or economical diamond simulants around. Cubic zirconia is not specifically a mineral but an oxide form. Despite this fact, cubic zirconia registers a hefty eight or 8.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. This durability is already sufficient in scratching glass easily, which is a plus when you are wearing a simulant.
There is a grading system for simulants, and specimens of cubic zirconia are categorized based on their characteristics. The highest grade for cubic zirconia is AAAA, while the lowest grade is just A.
Both machine-cut and manually-cut cubic zirconia can be graded high (or low) depending on the resulting quality. The grade of cubic zirconia is usually dependent on the skills of the person performing the cutting and polishing.
However, its clarity and perfection are the dead giveaways that make it easier for people to spot cubic zirconia for what it is. Cubic zirconia is often colorless (which isn’t healthy for genuine gemstones) and also of the highest clarity (with a stunning FL grade).
Moissanite Diamond
Moissanite is the second most popular diamond simulant. Moissanite is synthesized in laboratories but also exists in nature, though very rarely. Moissanite often has a higher price tag than cubic zirconia but remains affordable as it only costs one-tenth of the price of genuine diamonds. People who love Moissanite believe that it is one of the best alternatives for natural diamonds. It can be produced without harming the environment, so it is appealing for people who support ecological preservation.
The massive difference with this simulant is its hardness or durability. Surprisingly, Moissanite registers a sturdy 9.5 in the Mohs scale of hardness. Genuine diamonds register a 10, which is just .5 higher than Moissanite. This being the case, Moissanite is ideal for creating jewelry for everyday wear because of its natural durability. Moissanite will not break easily and can be confidently worn without fear of it suddenly being damaged by regular wear and tear.
Crystal or Glass Diamonds
When it comes to luxurious and sparkling simulants, few come close to the quality of Swarovski crystals. Swarovski crystals are high-quality simulants that are neither gemstones nor proper diamonds. Instead, Swarovski crystals are made of high quality, machine-cut glass. These are less expensive than the previous simulants we discussed, but they are no less glamorous. Swarovski rhinestones have been around since the 1950s, and iconic legends have worn them. The Swarovski brand is considered a luxury brand, and the newer rhinestones are now coated with the Aurora Borealis layer. This layer helps disperse a rainbow spectrum when light hits the beads.
White Sapphire
White sapphire is another amazing simulant that is often used as an actual substitute for genuine diamonds. The reason for this is that white sapphire is mostly colorless, and they’re also less expensive. When cut and polished, white sapphire looks almost precisely like diamonds, and the simulant also offers the advantage of having a most natural look that jewelry lovers adore.
In contrast with the three other faux diamonds in the list, it should be noted that white sapphire is a natural simulant of diamonds. Sapphires also come in a variety of different colors, from deep blues to black and even gray.
We recommend white sapphire if the wearer does not wish to wear anything that has been synthesized in a lab, or manufactured in a factory. White sapphires usually appear as colorless gems with a slight cloudiness. Despite its genetic similarities to diamond, when placed side by side with the real thing, it has less clarity and sparkle, and can easily be differentiated from the genuine gemstone.
Which type of simulant should you use?
This depends on what you wish to do with the simulant. If your budget doesn’t allow you to purchase more expensive simulants, Swarovski crystals are ideal. If you have a bit more funds, go for white sapphire or the two other simulants mentioned in this list.
