The Different Types of Fake Diamonds

As diamond industry giant De Beers' “slogan of the century” so aptly puts it, “diamonds are forever.” It’s more than marketing genius; it’s a testament to the very formation of the stones themselves. Over the course of billions of years, carbon deep under the earth’s surface is exposed to 2200°F temperatures and pressures of up to 725,000 pounds per square inch. You can’t hurry nature’s perfection.

Or can you?

What is a Simulated Diamond?

Simulated diamonds are certainly not as old as real diamonds, but they’ve been around the block. However, in recent years, the market has seen the introduction of synthetic diamonds. When you are purchasing a diamond, what do you need to know about real versus “fake” diamonds? Watch the video and read the article below to find out.

Fake vs. Synthetic Diamonds

First off, when it comes to diamonds, fake and synthetic are not synonymous. Fake diamonds are, well, fake. They have a completely different chemical composition than mined, or natural, diamonds.

Here’s where it can get a bit confusing: simulated diamonds, faux diamonds, and imitation diamonds can either be natural or synthetic. That is, they’re either a real stone masquerading as a diamond or a fake stone hoping to pass muster.

Let’s look at some real stones that often masquerade as diamonds:

Real “Fakes"

White Sapphire

White sapphire is a natural stone that, while not as hard as diamond, is still one of the hardest minerals in the world. It can be a good substitute for diamonds in engagement rings, especially as the price point is much lower. However, white sapphire rings can look cloudy, and the stone has a lower “refractive index” and “fire.” This means it can lack sparkle compared to diamonds. Frequent cleaning is a must, or white sapphire engagement rings can end up looking like smudged glass.

Zircon

This is not cubic zirconia; rather it is a natural substance. White zircon can be cut and polished to fit into jewelry, but it quickly shows wear and it is nowhere near as hard as a diamond (or as a white sapphire, for that matter).

White Spinel

White spinel is colorless and therefore sometimes used as a diamond substitute. It scores a 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale measure of hardness. (By contrast, a diamond scores a 10). While it’s not a diamond, spinel is by no means a poor stone. In fact, red versions are substitutes for rubies and black and pink versions make for unique pieces when integrated into jewelry.

Now, let's look at some of the more popular synthetic fakes:

Synthetic “Fakes”

Moissanite

When it comes to moissanite vs. diamond, this substitute is very hard and produces great sparkle when exposed to light. It also has good clarity and durability. Moissanite is a real mineral, so why do we consider this a “synthetic” fake? Because of its rarity, this stone is artificially produced in labs. However, moissanite rings are probably the best non-diamond, simulated, or faux option for engagement rings.

Cubic Zirconia

This is one of the most common diamond substitutes, and you’ll see it in pieces available everywhere from box stores to Amazon. Cubic zirconia, or CZ, has an 8 to 8.5 Mohs rating, but it shows wear. After time, it often becomes scratched and dull.

Glass

It’s cheap and easy to obtain. But glass simply doesn’t have the shine or sparkle of diamonds.

Really, there is nothing “wrong” with these fakes - if you know what you are getting, and you are paying the appropriate price.

Now, onto the subject of synthetic diamonds:

Synthetic Diamonds: Not Fake - Or “Real”

Science is truly a wondrous thing! Today, scientists can “grow” diamonds in labs. Known as synthetic diamonds, they have the same chemical composition as mined diamonds. To the naked eye, they are indistinguishable from natural diamonds. So, yes, they are “real.”

The difference between mined diamonds and synthetics is in the timeline. As mentioned, a mined diamond takes billions of years to form. A lab can expose carbon atoms to pressure temperatures in chambers that are designed to mimic the conditions under the earth’s surface. In just weeks, they can produce several diamonds.