Colorless Diamonds are the most popular gems on the planet today. They have a distinct set of physical and chemical properties such as hardness, fire and brilliance that make them highly coveted by the consumer market as jewelry accessories. As such, in-depth research into suitable gems for your wedding or engagement ring is bound to yield more information on diamonds than any other gemstone available.
Well, You should be pleased to hear that there are diamond alternatives in the market.
These gems have their own unique set of qualities, which while they may not compare to a diamond’s, stand out as suitable for engagement rings or wedding rings in the areas that count: Beauty, price, size, and even rareness.
The most popular Diamonds alternatives include: White Sapphire, Moissanite, White Topaz, Agate, Zircon, Moonstone and Danburite.
White Sapphires and Moissanite are more commonly used as alternatives hence the need to compare them to the Diamond.
However, I will also provide an overview of Zircon and White Topaz and how they compare to the diamond to expand your knowledge base on gems.
Diamonds Vs White Sapphire
Understandably, from the formation process, diamonds are the hardest stones in the world. They have a hardness rating of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them the most durable stones to wear and tear. As such, they can last for ages without requiring to be replaced, a necessary aspect of jewellery intended to last.
White Sapphires, like diamonds, are inherently harder than other gemstones and found in the earth crust. They have a Mohs Hardness rating of 9. However, unlike diamonds, White Sapphires may show signs of weakness after sustained durations of use, requiring replacement.
Regarding the gems refractive index [referencing the gem’s interaction with light], white Sapphires have a near similar refractive index to diamonds, a feat that makes them sparkle in direct light. Only, White Sapphires require frequent maintenance as their lower fire and brilliance reduces their sparkle when dirty. When observed against a clean background, white Sapphires appear to be transparent. Over time, the transparency may take a more frosted appearance.
White Sapphire
Diamonds have a very high refractive index, a feat that gives it the capacity to sparkle in darkness and even dirt. The refractive index (RI), allows the diamonds a higher and more wonderful brilliance and fire that make them unique among other gemstones.
With the quality of a diamond's interaction with light, they require little maintenance activities like frequent clean up to maintain their glow, unlike others such as the white sapphire.
Despite the differences, when well cut, White Sapphires offer an affordable alternative to a diamond ring.
White Sapphire Ring
Noteworthy, while diamonds are naturally occurring in the earth crust, they can also be synthetically made in the lab when the conditions necessary for formation are recreated. Synthetic diamonds, while indistinguishable from naturally occurring diamonds, are slightly cheaper. The process of synthetic diamond formation is very similar to Moissanite, developed by Charles and Colvard.
White Diamonds Vs Moissanite
As mentioned, Moissanites are synthetically manufactured in the lab using similar technology to that used for synthetic diamonds. This feat renders them hery hard and durable gems, coming second only to synthetic diamonds.
Having been laboratory manufactured, Moissanites are relatively affordable and hence more commonly used as an alternative to Diamonds.
These gems are also colorless, with a high eye-clarity, and similarly high durability. They also have a relatively high brilliance and fire, making them sparkle even in low light conditions. It would follow that they make for a better second choice for use as a centerpiece.
More: White Diamonds Vs white Zircon, White Topaz, Danburite and Cubic Zirconia
These colorless gems are more affordable than diamonds, hence used as their alternatives. However, they have a few distinguishing qualities that make them less attractive.
Firstly, they have slightly lower ratings on the Mohs hardness Scale, indicating lower durability and more susceptibility to wear and tear. White Zircon has a rating of 6-7, White Topaz 8, cubic Zirconia 8 and Danburite 7.
These gems take on a frosty appearance after certain durations of use and may often break or chip. As such, while the initial cost of installation may be low, the need for replacement increments the cost drastically.
Parting Shot
The type of gem to purchase strongly relies on individual taste and ability. My recommendation would be to base the purchase decision on the first 3 options: diamonds, white Sapphires and Moissanite as they have better qualities. The information above ought to provide clarity by equipping you with the necessary knowledge to decide.
