Lab-Created Diamonds - Simulated Diamonds And ManufacturedDiamonds Review

There has been a great deal discussion about lab-createddiamonds. Along with that talk, there is much misinformation andperplexity. The jewelry lover, who is interested in realizingthe huge savings and aesthetic beauty that simulated diamondsoffer, is often bewildered by the manufactured diamond industryjargon and available options. This article will categoricallybreak it down in easy-to-understand terms so that anyone canmake an intelligent decision when choosing a simulated diamond.

GEM MATERIALS: 99% of all lab-created diamonds sold worldwideare polycrystalline on a molecular level. The differences arefundamentally in the technical aspects of manufacturing,cutting, and polishing. Think of it this way--all coffeemakersare made of plastic, steel, and glass, the differences are howthese materials are designed and implemented. Higher qualitycoffeemakers make a better tasting cup of coffee. Higher qualitymanufactured diamonds are in line with mined diamonds.

QUALITY VARIANCES: It seems like grade variations are made outto be a more complex lab-created diamond issue then it reallyis. Once boiled down, there are three primary grades ofsimulated diamonds--high, medium, and low. For the jewelryshopper it should be noted that the quality of setting goeshand-in-hand with the quality of the gemstone. Those that sellmanufactured diamond jewelry off point-of-purchase displays inthe costume jewelry sections of discount stores use low qualityor scrap stones that are not gem quality, and have disco ball ormurky look. Those that sell manufactured diamond jewelry on theTV shopping channels--which is generally with a sterling silveror a micro-thin layer of gold plated over silver (Vermeil[pronounced ver-may]) settings--use medium quality stones not ofgem quality. Those that sell solid 14K gold or solid platinumsettings, as a rule, use the highest gem-quality man madegemstones that replicate mined diamonds.

PRICING: Low grade stones are sold in bulk to costume jewelrymakers and are often glued on electroplated settings. Thisjewelry is fine for children, where loss risk is high, andusually retails for less than $15 per item. You will find mediumgrade stones primarily in sterling silver jewelry that sells forunder $100 per item, settings and stones. Medium grade simulateddiamonds can be distinguished by the naked eye as not beingmined diamonds. High grade gemstone quality lab-createddiamonds, undistinguishable by the naked eye from mineddiamonds, are found mounted on settings of solid 14K gold andplatinum. This is considered to be fine jewelry, with the bestquality gemstones selling for under $100 per carat for thegemstones alone. Manufactured diamonds that sell for over $100 acarat are not higher quality than those that sell for between$80 and $100 per carat.

RECOMMENDATIONS: If you are buying for someone that is likely tolose the jewelry, there is no reason to spend any more than youhave to, and Wal-Mart will do just fine. On the clearance rackyou can even pick up some jewelry for less than $5 per item. Ifyou buy simulated diamonds set in sterling silver, expect decentstones, but they will fool few into thinking they are mineddiamonds. Also, your fingers are likely to turn green or blackin response to a chemical reaction, not with the silver per se,but with the nickel/copper alloys in sterling silver. With anyplated settings, gemstones are low to medium grade, and theplating will eventually chip off, particularly around the edges.When that happens, the nickel/copper alloys will be exposed, thesetting will look like it came out of a gum ball machine, andyour finger will generally turn green or black. It is just amatter of common sense, if you want simulated diamonds withmined-diamond qualities, they must be set in 14K solid gold.Jewelers who offer lab-created diamonds are not going spend onmoney on gold and not mount the highest quality stones, whichwould defeat the purpose of creating fine diamond-like jewelryand alienate customers