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Posts Tagged ‘man made diamonds’

Many jewelry stores have been showing an increase in lab diamonds as the stone of choice for women for their engagement or wedding rings. Not surprising, however, is the gravitation towards more ethical and environmentally-friendly, reasonably priced stones. Many may not know that lab diamonds are truly the “real deal.” If you aren’t familiar with lab diamonds, it might be worth your while to understand the basics so you can make the best possible decision.

Synthetic diamonds are also referred to as lab diamonds or laboratory grown diamonds. The process is faster than naturally grown diamonds, and involves high standard equipments and laboratory facilities in order to produce these gem stones. Although laboratory grown diamonds are basically the same in quality as natural and mined diamonds, they are far more cheaper, and to the untrained eye, they are undetectable whether it is lab grown or not. Unlike cubic zirconia, which is simulated and artificially grown, lab grown diamonds are actually real, authentic diamonds, only that these are made in laboratories instead of being mined or naturally produced by nature.

The only way to determine whether a diamond is natural or manmade is with the use of special equipment or instruments. Both are made with nearly pure carbon, and their crystalline structures are almost identical. While natural diamonds originate from 200 kilometers beneath the surface of the earth, lab diamonds are made in a laboratory with facilities that allow the use of two methods, namely High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Natural diamonds are slowly made from the intense heat and pressure from volcanic activities, and can take up to millions or even billions of years to create. Lab diamonds are made only within weeks or months, and are much cheaper than natural diamonds, sparing you from the guilt of having to buy “blood diamonds” which have been causing conflict in many nations.

Getting deeper into this process, lab diamonds are made with equipment which replicates nature’s fascinating way of producing diamonds. Once there is enough synthetic diamond crystals created, the new stone is cut, polished and finished to the same standard of quality demanded by the finest jewelers. Most lab diamonds are used for engagement, wedding or anniversary rings or matching earrings. Many of the companies specializing in man made diamonds offer a wide range of color, from canary yellows to reds to strikingly bold blues.

After scientists and chemists have developed scientific methods of producing lab diamonds, the demand for these gem stones have increased rapidly. And, because manmade diamonds are far cheaper, most consumers prefer these as engagement rings without worrying about their budgets.

Before you buy an engagement ring, be sure to check out Jeff Amasio’s articles on alternatives to diamonds and the ring buying process. His valuable seminars are respected throughout the “diamond industry” and offer insight into the similarities betweenlab diamondsandcubic zirconia.

For centuries, diamonds have been evaluated using the four Cs: cut, clarity, color and carat. However, recent innovations have allowed the addition of a fifth C: created. Thanks to innovations in modern chemistry and physics, it is now possible to create jewel-quality stones. These created gems are free of the defects and inclusions that are present in most mined stones.

The first C, “cut,” refers to how the diamond has been cut by a jeweler. Even the most beautiful gem starts out as a rough stone with no facets. The way in which a gem sparkles and reflects light is dependent on how the facets are cut into it. The cut is one of the largest determinants of a stone’s value. An excellent cut can turn a the right raw gem into a stone worth thousands or even millions of dollars, while a poor cut may ruin even an excellent gem. Since a cut cannot be undone and gemcutting takes years to master, the value of the cut cannot be underestimated.

The next two Cs, “clarity,” and “color” are determined by impurities in the gem’s crystal structure. Small mineral deposits that appear as darker spots in the stone, called inclusions, are common. Inclusions do not necessarily ruin a gem; very few mined stones are given a grade of “flawless,” and those few are incredibly expensive. Only the lowest clarity grades feature inclusions that are easily seen by the naked eye, and a good cut can help to conceal small inclusions and bring out the best of the stone.

The purest of diamonds have no tinge of color. “D” denotes colorless, and the grading goes all the way to Z for light yellow. The further down the alphabet you go, the less desirable and thus, less expensive, the stone becomes. However, the right concentration of mineral impurities within the stone can be a good thing! These can create the rare colored, or “fancy,” gems that feature attractive colors, including vibrant and intense yellows, pinks, champagnes and even deep blues like the famous Hope Diamond. The more vibrant or deep the color, the more valuable the gem becomes. Very few gem-quality mined diamonds achieve the “fancy” grade.

The final C used to grade mined stones is carat size. Carat denotes the weight of the stone, regardless of its dimensions, and is a standardized measure equal to .2 grams. During the 1800s, a few rare gems of over 100 carats were discovered in remote South African mines. However, most gems used in jewelry range from .25 carats to 5 carats in size. The largest stones in this range are quite rare and very expensive. Carat weight increases a gem’s price 10-20% for each step in size difference.

The fifth C, “created”, only applies to man-made stones. These cultured diamonds are produced in a lab by accelerating the natural processes which create gems. Man-made gems are free of inclusions because they are created under controlled conditions. However, most of them have vibrant colors that rival the most desirable and rarest mined “fancy” gems. They are indistinguishable from natural stones in their chemical makeup and optical qualities, and can be cut just like mined stones to provide the same luster, brilliance and scintillation.

Cultured gems are also created in first-world laboratories and minimize the ecological impact of mining and the social impact that comes from the sale of so-called “blood diamonds.” With all of these advantages, from quality to social concerns, it’s not surprising that man-made diamonds are quickly becoming very popular.

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There is often some confusion when looking for diamond jewelry because of the differences between natural diamonds, cultured diamonds, and cubic zirconia. There are some important differences between these choices that should be understood before looking for jewelry set with these gems. When choosing between cubic zirconia, cultured diamonds and natural diamonds, there are appearance and quality variations to consider, in addition to the cost variations between the three gem choices.

Diamond is a natural gem which is not manufactured. Diamonds are mined from the earth, and are the hardest material found in nature, being composed of a particular carbon atom formation. There is often a certain degree of controversy surrounding the mining of real diamonds, and as such, some individuals prefer to buy diamond alternatives. Cubic zirconia and cultured diamonds are less expensive than mined diamonds.

There are some differences between cubic zirconia and mined diamonds, although they often appear similar. Cubic zirconia is visually flawless because it is synthesized, and it is quite hard. Usually it is colorless, but it can also be made in various colors.

Cubic zirconia is a less expensive diamond alternative, although as compared to mined or cultured diamonds, it is not nearly as hard.

Cultured diamond is another popular option to mined diamonds. Often referred to as lab grown diamonds, cultured diamonds are created to be identical chemically, physically and optically to natural diamonds. Cultured diamonds are still more costly than diamond hybrid or cubic zirconia, but they are more economically priced than real diamonds. Cultured diamonds are available in brilliant colorless white stones, as well as many different colored stones.

The diamond hybrid has many specific advantages over the other varieties of natural diamond alternatives. A crystalline core is covered with a layer of diamond to create a diamond hybrid. This creates a very hard and brilliant gem that looks very close to a mined diamond in regards to light dispersion and index refraction. These hybrid diamonds do not discolor over time, and when cut by an expert and polished, are absolutely brilliant.

Hybrid diamonds are less costly than mined or traditional cultured diamonds, although they are more expensive than cubic zirconia. These lovely gems are becoming quite popular as an alternative to mined diamonds for those who want the sparkle and beaut of a diamond without the high price.

Sona Diamond custom jewelry is the world’s top-quality, Cultured Diamonds and they have a real diamond layer and the similar brilliance, clarity and created diamond hardness, to a natural diamond on the market today. http://www.SonaDiamondJewelry.com is a trusted online source of over 5000 affordable styles and consumer Ranked#1 in the World.

Although people often think that artificial diamonds are easy to identify from naturally mined diamonds, in actuality, the average person would have trouble telling the two apart. Depending on the variety of artificial diamond, they are often hard to tell from natural diamonds because they have the same or similar chemical composition.

There are several different techniques that are used to create what are commonly referred to as artificial diamonds. In the case of cubic zirconium, the material itself is not the same, being made from the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide. The process for making cubic zirconium creates a gem that can be totally colorless and optically perfect. It is quite beautiful and brilliant and more economical to purchase, but is not as hard as mined diamonds.

Another category of artificial diamonds is the cultured diamond. Lab grown diamonds is another word that is commonly used to refer to these gems. Cultured diamonds are created to have the same chemical composition as real diamonds and they can be optically almost identical, except to gem professionals. Many people don’t use the word artificial to describe these gems, because they are so similar to natural diamonds, even though they are manufactured.

Cultured diamonds are a popular jewelry choice, and while they are more expensive than cubic zirconium, then still cost less than naturally mined diamonds. Many people also have issues with the way the natural diamond industry operates, including how those who work in the mines are treated, and as such, they opt to buy artificial diamonds instead of mined diamonds. Artificial diamonds are often thought to be a “greener” and more humanitarian choice when compared to mined diamonds.

Diamond hybrid is another popular variety of artificial diamond that is becoming very popular. These beautiful gems are less expensive than cultured diamonds, but are visually quite similar. Diamond hybrids are quite brilliant and hard, and are produced by covering a crystalline core with a natural diamond material layer. The sparkle, clarity and color of a diamond hybrid is often hard to match, especially when the gem is expertly cut.

Artificial diamonds are a popular alternative to buying mined diamonds, although natural diamonds are sure to always remain a popular choice as well. When one considers the many advantages of artificial diamonds, it is obvious why they are often preferred by many people.

Sona Diamond custom jewelry is the world’s top-quality, Artificial Diamonds and they have a real diamond layer and the similar brilliance, clarity and created diamond hardness, to a natural diamond on the market today. http://www.SonaDiamondJewelry.com is a trusted online source of over 5000 affordable styles and consumer Ranked#1 in the World.

A diamond ring is a great way to promise eternal commitment to special person that is your one true love. But think how much more romantic your moment would be if you expressed your undeniable affection with one of the many custom designed diamond rings that are available.

Presenting one of these custom diamond rings can be the perfect beginning to creating a beautiful life together; a perfect way to say “I’ll love you forever”; or another way to show your deep rooted feelings of unconditional love.

The wonderful opportunity of personally created custom diamond rings is that a person is able to be elegantly simplistic or incredibly extravagant. But it is a good thing to keep in mind to have a financial plan, because this will help control your spending.when making the final decisions about the custom diamond rings.

A customized ring doesn’t have to put a strain on your wallet . This is very beneficial if you happens to be watching his finances carefully. When creating your own custom diamond rings a great starting place lies right within your own mind. Think about the details that you find most meaningful when creating this one of a kind masterpiece.

When you have considered some of the possibilities regarding the ring and a budget to match, it’s time to find a good jeweler. A highly qualified professional with experience in creating custom diamond rings will be able to offer the assistance you require in order to offer you the one-on-one assistance you require. Look for someone who has experience and expertise, as well as the ability to provide you with the personal assistance in dealing with your specific needs regarding custom diamond rings.

The setting will be the foundation of your custom designed diamond ring. It will not only offer beauty and shine, but will also hold your diamond in place. When choosing a setting, you will find that there are a variety of options regarding custom diamond rings. ring settings can be made from gold, silver, platinum and titanium. Every different substance has something to special to offer.

Sona Diamond custom jewelry is the world’s top-quality, custom diamond rings and they have a real diamond layer and the similar brilliance, clarity and created diamond hardness, to a natural diamond on the market today. http://www.SonaDiamondJewelry.com is a trusted online source of over 5000 affordable styles and consumer Ranked#1 in the World.