Lab Diamonds

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Lab-grown

Diamonds are considered to be among the most widely used and
 most popular stones in the jewelry industry. Right from the first engagement
 ring made from diamond, recorded in 1477, to today, diamonds are
 always in high demand. Popularly known for their fire and sparkle, most people
 are known to spend billions on jewelry made from diamonds every year.
 The total amount spent on buying diamond rings is often more than all the other
 stones combined.

How Diamonds are formed

Diamonds do form naturally below the crust of the earth. At
 first, they start as carbon which is exposed to extremely high temperatures which
 is approximately 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit and thereafter squeezed using immense
 pressure of around 725,000 pounds in every square inch. The hot rocks are
 thereafter blasted to the surface through the deep&nbsp;<a href="https://geology.com/volcanoes/types-of-volcanic-eruptions/" target="_blank">eruptions
 of the volcano</a>. They cool down at the surface, retaining their shape.

After the diamond has surfaced, the natural form of the
 diamond is rough with milky skin, which is responsible for hiding the spark
 inside. It is never easy to get precise cuts, and it will take an experienced
 cutter to get cuts that will give the diamond the brightest shine.

The facets are known to work like mirrors, making light
 bounce in and out of the stone's clearest part.

Durability

“Diamond Forever” is one of the most common slogans used worldwide. This slogan symbolizes everlasting love and is a real
 diamond without any limit to existence when taken good care of. A portion of
 the eternal appeal of the diamond lies in its durable nature. This means that
 indestructible or invincible, the diamond gets to 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them the hardest known naturally found material on earth. This makes
 them scratch resistant, not unless they get scratched by another diamond. They
 are also resistant to chipping and breaking. Diamonds are also known to be
 very stable since they can withstand extreme temperate and
 chemical changes. This makes diamond one of the greatest investments and will
 always be passed on to the next generations.

Characteristics of
 Diamonds

Every diamond that comes from the earth will always be
 unique and will be issued with a value and identity depending on the following
 factors:

<ul type="disc">
 <li class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/diamond-carat-weight-/">Weight of Carat</a></li>
 <li class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/diamond-clarity/">Clarity</a></li>
 <li class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/diamond-cut/">Cut</a></li>
 <li class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/diamond-color/">Color</a></li>
</ul>

Diamonds are available in a wide range of colors, from brown
 to yellow. However, most people are known to covet and recognize colorless
 diamonds. Diamonds have high brilliance, fire, and a
 2.4 refractive index. Although this might appear to make diamonds perfect,
 other natural features also do. Several diamonds are known
 to have imperfections, which are referred to as inclusions. The naturally made
 irregularities and several other factors like carat weight, cut, and
 color will affect the diamond cost. Although there are diamonds that are
 clearer and can be found at a steeper cost, lots of people are proud of their
 uniqueness and inclusion. The diamond's carat weight is an obvious factor in determining the value.

Reasons Why You Should
 Choose Diamond

Diamonds are among the most popular and
 sought-after engagement ring stones. If you or your partner are interested in
 a durable, white, and sparkly treasure naturally found on earth, and you
 have enough budget and are not interested in the stone’s origin, then the diamond is
 the right stone for you. Diamonds do have extreme durability and refractive
 index, making them last forever.

Diamonds

Most people are known to think that lab-grown diamonds
 are never real diamonds. Although lab-grown diamonds are never extracted
 from earth but cultured in laboratories instead, their physical characteristics and chemical composition are usually similar to those of the diamonds.

This stone is known to be as great and as dazzling as the
 mined diamonds. The lab-grown diamonds are also known as synthetic diamonds due
 to their man-made nature. However, some people feel that the word
 synthetic does not fit well with their diamond nature. The difference between a
 <a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/labgrown-vs-natural-diamonds/">mined diamond and a lab-grown diamond</a> is their origin.

With the word synthetic being associated with consumers
 having imitation items, the artificial diamonds are made from the same material type.

How Lab-grown Diamonds are
 made

Most lab-grown diamonds are usually grown using high-pressure, high-temperature crystal formation or chemical vapor deposition. The carbon atoms are removed from the carbon-rich vapor found in the chamber. The crystal structure of the stone forms and
 is built up until the diamond forms. This procedure can take up to three months for
 most lab-grown diamonds. There are times when it can take much longer.
 Natural diamonds do take several years to form.

Reasons Why You Should
 Choose the Lab-grown Diamonds

If you are pleased with the sparkle, history, and
 appearance of the diamond but are concerned with the sustainable and
 ethical origin of the bling, then going for the lab-grown diamond is the best
 way out if you are interested in an engagement ring. With the lab-grown diamond, you
 will not only be getting a genuine diamond, but you will also get to know the
 origin of your diamond since it was made in the laboratory. However, we need not forget that lab-grown diamonds are more expensive than mined diamonds.

Lab-Grown Diamonds

White Sapphire is used to refer to a colorless sapphire.
 Although most people&nbsp;consider the sapphires to be blue gemstones, they are available in various colors such as yellow, white, green, and pink.

Being part of the corundum minerals family, the sapphires
 are an aluminum oxide type that consists of copper, iron, titanium, and chromium
 traces. The minerals that are available in the composition of the stone will
 help in designating its color.

White sapphires are normally used as a diamond substitute, thanks to their lower price and lack of color. From the cut perspective
 and color, the sapphire ring will provide a similar appearance to diamond
 jewelry with only a few compromises.

The white sapphires are cheaper compared to the diamonds.
 In most cases, the white sapphires will always be grey or yellow stones that have been treated free or by the use of chemicals. This means they will
 undergo a particular procedure to help them achieve their clear color.

Despite there being natural white sapphires, they are very
 rare to come by. The majority of the natural sapphires are usually found in Africa,
 Southeast Asia, and Western part of the US, and the Middle East.

We do have two main types of white sapphires used in making
 jewelry:

<ul type="disc">
 <li class="MsoNormal">Lab-created white sapphires</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Natural white
 sapphires</li>
</ul>

Despite the white sapphires being clear in color, they are
 known to exhibit a cloudy white hue which offers one way to identify them when
 compared to the diamonds. These white sapphires measure nine on the hardness
 Mohs scale, making them among the most durable stones.

4C’S of White Sapphire

Diamonds are usually evaluated depending on their four: cut, color, clarity, and carat. However, this is different in
 the white sapphires.

For instance, the GIA never grades the white sapphires, but
 instead, they will always offer a report containing basic details like
 treatment, color, and carat weight. The 4C’S are important components that should always be considered, although there are other features like saturation
 level, purity, and color tone which must be looked into the well.

The conventional standards used in white sapphire grading
 do not exist in the same way they do for diamonds. The subjective
 characteristic that varies from one individual to another instead of something
 which can be measured is the beauty of color.

Because of this, it is widely recommended that
 the white sapphire be evaluated depending on how appealing it is to you without
 any form of magnification.

Cut

There are wide ranges of cutting styles that exist when
 talking about colored gemstones. Grading scales and details of each cutting
 style and colored gemstone would be an unfruitful and large undertaking for any
 laboratory.

The laboratory grading system has never figured out the
 need to have most of the colored gemstones go through the standard grading
 cut.

It is important you take note of the following when
 analyzing the quality of the white sapphire cut.

You can consider having a lot at this stone without the
 window. The window is used in this context to refer to the stone’s back visible through the table. In case the window is available in the white
 sapphire, it will reveal that there is no color or light reflection.

The review symmetry grade will help in assessing the
 balance and proportions of the stone together with its length-to-width ratio.

Balance assessment: check if the girdle is uneven and culet off
 center. All these factors will affect the balance of the white sapphire, and it
 is advisable to consider them.

Consider the size of the table. It is important that you
 have a look for the white sapphire using a table size ranging 33-67%. This
 means the table will not be too large or too small for light to pass freely.

Brilliance watch, you must consider if the light
 reflects and sparkles from the sapphire or if the stone is dull.

Color

Colored gemstone hue is one of the most sensitive elements
 you need to factor in when shopping for a white sapphire. The purer the white
 sapphire is, the better it is. Fire and brilliance do not matter much in the white sapphires compared to the diamonds. You should judge the color of
 the sapphire with what you see with your naked eye and the appeal of the stone.
 If the color is consistent all through, you should conclude that the
 stone is valuable. However, a white sapphire with uneven coloring will be less
 appealing.

Most of the white sapphires are color treated, making them less expensive than the white sapphires that are naturally
 occurring. The stone can either be chemically or heat treated depending on the
 composition of the stone and desired effect.

Clarity

Gemstones that are colored tend to have more blemishes and
 inclusions than diamonds. However, the majority can only be noticed under 10 x
 magnifications. In order to evaluate the clarity of the white sapphire, it is
 important that you closely review the stone using your own eyes in order to
 determine if there are any inclusions and blemishes visible and if they can
 take away from the overall beauty of the stone.

Carat

You need to remember that sapphire’s weight can also be
 referred to as carat. For example, a 1- carat sapphire will be equivalent to
 200 milligrams or 0.2 grams. This means that its weight is nearly the same as a raisin quarter. With carat being used in measuring weight depending on the
 shape of the sapphire and how it has been cut, 2 one carat sapphires can be of different sizes. One needs to consider the weight of the
 carat, although the overall beauty of the sapphire needs to carry more benefits.

Pricing and Rarity

Just like other types of gemstones, the white sapphires price does vary depending on their rarity, size, and quality. By now, you are
 aware of how the rarity and size of the white sapphire are capable of affecting
 the price and the availability of the sapphire.

White Sapphire

Moissanite is known to be among the rarest minerals that
 occur naturally. This stone was discovered a century ago at a place where a meteorite struck in Arizona. It does have similar looks to diamonds. However,
 scientists managed to develop a thermal growing process aimed at creating
 silicon carbide crystals that make the Moissanite in the laboratory.

Durability

Moissanite is known to be among the hardest gemstones
 currently available on Earth. In terms of durability, it is only second to the
 diamonds. Moissanite is harder than stones such as rubies, sapphires, and emeralds
 and is a great option for our day-to-day wear. The moissanite is capable of
 withstanding day-to-day exposure and has great resistance to breaking or
 scratching. On the Mohs scale, it has a 9.25 ranking. It is also a very tough stone; hence, it can never cleave or chip easily. It is also capable of withstanding high
 temperatures and is in a position to maintain the sparkle.

Selecting the Moissanite
 Color

You can always choose from three color groups when selecting Moissanite to purchase. There is the colorless (<a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/colorless-diamonds-d-e-f-color/">D-E-F</a>), there is
 the near-colorless (G-H-I), and there is the slightly tinted (J-K). The
 gemstones which are colored are more desirable and are always premium.

Moissanite usually tends to have brown, green, or yellow
 tints; hence, it is always advisable for one to have a careful look at the
 stone before buying it. This will help in ensuring there are no undesirable
 colors. In case you are interested in a colored Moissanite, getting one can sometimes be pretty difficult. Currently, the initial makers of Moissanite jewelry,&nbsp;Colvard and Charles, are known to offer only the green Moissanite. However, they
 didn’t have any listed on their website at this time.

Characteristics of a&nbsp;Moissanite

Carat Size of Moissanite

Despite having a similar look, Moissanite is known to be
 denser than diamonds. This means it is heavier. When comparing the
 Moissanite and the diamond of the same carat weight, the Moissanite will always be
 smaller in appearance. You will always notice that some vendors go for
 carat weight as others take Moissanite measurements in millimeters when
 shopping for Moissanite.

Sparkle

Moissanite is known to have an excellent sparkle and is
 considered one of the greatest gemstones. This stone is known to have
 what is popularly known as the rainbow effect, which is a colorful and fiery
 flash of color when viewing the stone under the light. All this can be attributed
 to the high refractive index of Moissanite at 2.65.

Although this is never visible in the smaller stones, the
 larger Moissanite can exhibit a stronger rainbow effect. If
 this is something you would like to avoid, then the smaller stone will be
 suitable for you.

Clarity

Since Moissanite is created in the lab, there is always
 lots of control over the final product. The majority of the Moissanites are known
 to have faint inclusions. They are usually in the shape of small and thread-like inclusions that form during the creation process of the stone. In most cases,
 the flaws will only be visible through magnification, and the stone will always
 appear eye-clean.

Resale Value and Price

With Moissanite being considered an alternative to diamonds, never expect the stone to be cubic zirconia cheaply. Since cubic
 Moissanite is a relatively affordable gemstone,&nbsp;&nbsp;they are still in a position to command high prices when they are of high quality. Creating the Moissanite, which is never cheap, takes lots of effort and is resource-consuming.

The Moissanite prices do vary depending on the quality and
 brand. However, 1 carat colorless stone generally costs approximately $
 600. The resale value of the Moissanite is never known at this stage since it
 is still a new gemstone. With the technology used in creating it still
 expanding and advancing, estimating its resale value is still difficult.

Reasons Why You Should
 Choose the Moissanite

<ul type="disc">
 <li class="MsoNormal">They are cheaper compared to other gemstones.</li>
</ul>

For example, a Moissanite carat costs $600, while a
 near-colorless one-diamond carat costs $500. However, the Moissanite price will
 be determined by whether it is enhanced or not and the size. Going for an enhanced
 Moissanite means it has been subjected to a process that will make it
 whiter. Otherwise, the Moissanite tends to have a yellow tint in most cases. It
 is always advisable for one to research Moissanite prices before they go
 shopping.

<ul type="disc">
 <li class="MsoNormal">Extreme Brilliance</li>
</ul>

Moissanites are known to be very sparkly. They are known to
 have an excellent refractive index. This will create a higher sparkle compared
 to that of the diamond. All the sparkles are rainbow-colored instead of colorless.

<ul type="disc">
 <li class="MsoNormal">Better Clarity</li>
</ul>

No moissanite will be sold unless the clarity grade is VS or
 above. The grade means there are no visible flaws. On the other hand, diamonds have flaws that the naked eye can see.

<ul type="disc">
 <li class="MsoNormal">Ethically Created</li>
</ul>

The Moissanites are never mined from the earth, unlike the
 diamonds. The moissanite will usually be grown in a controlled lab
 environment. This will do away with warfare and unfair labor practices.
 They do have a much smaller carbon footprint. All the reasons listed make the Moissanites an environmentally friendly engagement ring choice.

Moissanite

As you already know, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/natural-gemstones-types-az-information-guide-/">gemstone</a>&nbsp;is a rock or&nbsp;mineral used in jewelry after faceting, cutting, and polishing. The gemstones are known to have varying beauty features, and most
 gems are available in a great variety of colors. The gemstones have been used
 in the jewelry industry for years. Diamonds are among the most popular
 gemstones, although other types of gemstones appear great in
 jewelry.

There are many varieties of gemstones, and purchasing a
 gemstone or jewelry made from gemstones has never been an easy task. It is
 important for any aspiring buyer to first get some knowledge of gemstones
 together with their characteristics before making any purchase. You can always
 get a detailed guide on every aspect of gemstones in our guide.

The tips mentioned below will be of great help in enabling
 one to get the most suitable color stone. In most cases, people are known to
 consider the 4C’s: clarity, color, carat, and cut. However, the system
 of grading is not that uniform. The 4C’s will help in selecting the best gemstones.

Gemstone Color

<ul type="disc">
 <li class="MsoNormal">When shopping
 for a colored gemstone, you should always prioritize the gemstone color.
 They should never be too light or too dark. The best gemstone is pure, bright, rich, vivid color and intense color.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">One best way
 you can always see the best gemstone color is by looking at
 it against the white surface.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">It is advisable
 that you always check the gemstones under different light conditions when
 buying them. If the gemstone contains color range features, it should display a strong color change between alternative exposure
 to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hunker.com/13412740/incandescent-vs-fluorescent-light-spectrum" target="_blank">incandescent light</a>&nbsp;and daylight sources.</li>
</ul>

Gemstone clarity

<ul type="disc">
 <li class="MsoNormal">In most cases,
 the colored gemstones will be examined from the face or top-up position.
 When shopping for a gemstone, you must always check it from the top, and
 if a flaw or inclusion is not reveal in the face-up position, it will
 never affect its beauty and value. In the same scenario, if a gemstone
 hides an inclusion, it will never affect its beauty and value.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">It is always possible to examine a gemstone's imperfections using the microscope or the jeweler's 10X magnifying glass.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">When shopping
 for a gemstone, you should emphasize its color more than&nbsp;clarity.</li>
</ul>

Gemstone Cut

<ul type="disc">
 <li class="MsoNormal">When shopping
 for a gemstone, you should always go for an ideal gemstone
 cut of the right shape. A good cut will never cost more but can add or subtract the beauty of gemstones.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">You must ensure the gemstone is well-polished and has excellent symmetry. To balance it, you must ensure the stone is symmetrical in all measurements.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Always give
 preference to the personal choice of the wearer when shopping for a
 gemstone. The gemstone carat weight will always depend on your budget.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">You will have
 to purchase a gemstone that is averagely sized with good clarity, color,&nbsp;and cut instead of a large gemstone that has no
 good clarity, color, and cut.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">‘Carat’ is different from ‘Karat, ' which is used to describe the purity and
 fineness of gold.</li>
</ul>

Treated/Enhanced Gemstone

<ul type="disc">
 <li class="MsoNormal">When shopping
 for a gemstone, it is always important to check whether it is
 treated or natural and, if it has been enhanced or treated, what treatment
 method was used.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Enhanced or
 treated gemstones are less expensive than non-treated
 or natural gemstones.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">When shopping
 for enhanced or treated gemstones, it is always advisable that you ask
 the jeweler whether the treatment is temporary or permanent and if the
 stone will require any special care.</li>
</ul>

Gemstone Certificate

<ul type="disc">
 <li class="MsoNormal">You should always ask for a gemstone certificate when shopping for a costly <a href="https://www.petragems.com/blog/gemstones-with-names-pictures-and-colors/">gemstone</a>. Although it might cost you a little more money, it will offer
 you the required peace of mind since you will be sure you will
 be getting your value for money.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Having a gemstone
 certificate will provide you with the stone's right details, and depending
 on this information, you can make some comparisons before you make the actual purchase.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">Having a
 gemstone certificate will make it possible for you to pay money depending
 on the characteristics of the stone. The jeweler will never be able to charge you more, and you will have higher chances of getting
 the best deals.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">On gemstone
 resale with its certificate, you will be able to get
 improved prices.</li>
 <li class="MsoNormal">You will need
 to produce your gemstone certificate to be issued with insurance
 for your gemstone.</li></ul>

Natural Gemstones as an Alternative

Each&nbsp;gemstone reviewed above is known to be a completely different mineral with its own inherent properties
 and chemical makeup. All these stones are clear. Each can have a similar
 attribute in some cases or, at times, pretty different in others. At times, it
 can be easier to see a clear gem and perceive that it will
 have similar properties. One of the stones most people are familiar with is the
 diamond. However, knowing some key differences between white sapphires, lab-grown diamonds, diamonds, and moissanite is important before
 deciding which is the right stone for you.

It is important that any buyer first sets their budget when
 shopping for a gemstone before they can explore all the options. This will help
 them get various gemstones with different carat qualities and weights
 that are within your budget. Purchase a gemstone from a known, licensed, and
 reputed jeweler. If you have no idea of any good jeweler, you can always
 ask your close friends or family for recommendations. You need not be
 in any hurry when shopping for a gemstone. Instead, always shop for one at your
 own convenient time and pace.

Final Thoughts

Are you in the process of shopping for new jewelry or considering the purchase of an engagement ring? Some of the most popular precious stones used in creating 

What are the Best Alterative to Diamonds?