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Natural diamonds are unique, loved and exquisite gemstones.
However, there are a lot of substitutes to them. Sometimes even specialists cannot distinguish whether it is a diamond or a look-alike gemstone.
Here is a guide of the most popular gemstones that bear a strong resemblance to diamonds.
White sapphire
Pure corundum is white sapphires are made of. They are:
– natural
– high durability (hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale)
– optical properties differ from those of the real diamond (white sapphire has more muted, silvery sparkle)
– relatively inexpensive
White topaz
White topaz is a colorless variety of the mineral topaz. Their characteristics are:
– natural
– relative softness (8 on the Mohs scale)
– optical properties differ from those of a diamond (over time the brightness and shininess of white topaz will fade)
– relatively inexpensive
White spinel
Spinel is a naturally occurring mineral that is occasionally used as a diamond substitute. It is a white stone which is:
– natural
– relative softness (around 8 on the Mohs scale)
– optical properties are similar to those of a diamond
– expensive (due to its rarity)
Moissanite
Moissanite is a form of silicon carbide. This stone is:
– laboratory-created stone
– high durability (9,25 on the Mohs scale)
– optical properties differ from those of a natural diamond (more shimmering than a diamond and also sparkles in more colors when light enters it)
– relatively inexpensive
Cubic zirconia
Cubic zirconia is a form of zirconium dioxide.
– laboratory-created stone
– relative durability (8,5 on the Mohs scale)
– optical properties are similar to those of the real diamond
– relatively cheap
Because they are more affordable than actual diamonds, lookalikes might be a good option. However, always get a certificate before making a purchase if you are looking for a real diamond and do not want to make a mistake.
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