| Early experimentation with synthetic
diamonds, sometimes referred to as diamond simulants, first began around 1900. Gem quality
synthetic diamonds have entered the jewelry market in recent years and the technology used
to create them is improving rapidly. Today, there are many different technologies used to
produce synthetic diamond and many of these man made diamonds are essentially equal to the
appearance of natural diamond certified gemstones. Synthetic diamonds are also evaluated by
color, cut, clarity, and carat - just as natural diamonds are. Gem-quality diamonds grown
in a lab can be chemically, physically, and optically identical to naturally occurring
ones. The quality of some synthetic diamonds is so high and natural looking, that most
expert gemologists are unable to tell these man-made diamonds from natural diamonds
without the use of scientific testing equipment. Naturally, the diamond mining companies
of the world, such as De Beers, are very concerned about these developments. They have
developed electronic equipment such as the Diamond View Tester and X-rays methods to
identify subtle differences between man-made and real diamonds. The three largest natural
diamond distributors have also implemented methods to laser inscribe serial numbers on
their gemstones in order to help in identifying them as natural stones.
Lab-created precious gemstones
are not subject to the price-fixing and market manipulations of the “natural”
diamond and gemstone industry. Man-made, flawless, perfect gemstones cost a small fraction
of the prices charged for mined gemstones. By owning and wearing synthetic diamonds, you
are savings thousands of dollars, and banking the difference. |
