Shopping a quality simulated diamond is almost the same as shopping for an authentic diamond. Except that their value being connected to their brilliance, shine, and durability, these simulated diamonds are usually valued by their color. So if you are looking for an alternative, here are 2 of the most sought simulated diamonds for engagement rings. They were named as, White sapphire and Moissanite. Each of them is a totally different mineral with its chemical composition and intrinsic properties. But just like diamonds, they are also as durable and sustainable gemstones. One more thing, they are often an alternative for an engagement ring because of its more affordable than diamonds. We can go further at the differences between white sapphires, Moissanite, and diamonds in a more detailed manner.
White Sapphires
Let’s start with White Sapphires. Chemically speaking, all white sapphires are corundum gem material. They belong to the same family as blue sapphires and rubies. It's the few trace elements in the corundum that sapphires derived their color with. Blue sapphires get their color from iron and titanium, while rubies come from chromium inclusions in the corundum. If there are no traces of elements in the corundum material of sapphire, then it will be colorless or it’s called white sapphire. But just like diamonds, if there are slight traces of elements in the stone, a white sapphire can also have a slight yellow, pink or blue pigments. Though White Sapphire is a good alternative option for diamonds, it has also its disadvantages. A White Sapphire does not have the ability to retain its fire and brilliance, especially for daily wear. When they encounter buildup of soap or lotions, they tend to lose their sparkle. As years pass by, they can have scratches and chipping in the edges that can lead to a "frosted" appearance.
A Diamond as we all know is the hardest mineral. Hardness is an important characteristic for an everyday ring meant to be worn for years. Diamonds reflect light in three different ways; Brilliance, Dispersion, and Scintillation. Brilliance means the ability to reflect white light. Dispersion is the rainbow of colors refracted through the diamond. Scintillation is the surface sparkle of a diamond. The combination of those 3 light reflection gives the diamond the ability to a maximum sparkle.
Moissanite
Another alternative for Diamonds is a Moissanite. This gemstone is originally discovered in 1893 in a meteor crater. Natural Moissanite is strangely rare. Therefore, the Moissanite we know today is lab created. As compared with natural gemstones, synthetic Moissanite has a much smaller carbon footprint. Therefore, they are Eco-friendly. It is a little harder than a sapphire and next to a diamond for its hardness. Its sparkle is as much as diamonds and it has more fire than most diamonds. For a naked eye, and for those who do not know more about those 2 gemstones, Moissanite can be mistaken as a diamond. So if you are looking for a more affordable engagement ring, Moissanite is a great option. Or you can find a 100% natural diamond here: https://www.classicdiamondhouse.com/
To sum it all up, a simulated diamond is different from more expensive natural and synthetic diamond but it is equally rewarding. As a matter of fact, most simulated diamonds undergo the same rating system as used to rate natural diamonds in order to make sure of their quality.
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