Top Diamond Simulant Myths....article in progress

[talk-admin]

After seeing a lot of diamond simulant sellers making many of the same false claims, and customers falling for them, I have been working on an article called ''Top 5 Diamond Simulant Myths'' to help consumers seperate fact from fiction.

Its a work in progress, but I'm open for feedback on it before it gets posted more publicly.

Currently there are 5 common incorrect assertions I often see, but let me know about others that should be added.

Article (in progress) is here:
Top 5 Diamond Simulant Myths...

Best regards,
Less

 

[talk-admin]

Two possible additions to this article might be:

a)Our moissanite is whiter than other moissanite. Technically, there is only one supplier of moissanite and they have always refused to color grade, so its basically luck of the draw what you get. There are some claims about proprietary heat treatment for making it whiter being done by some sellers, but as a general rule, the only way to get whiter moissanite is to buy a large lot, color grade them yourself, and send back the ones you don't want. However, C&C hates when you do that...

b)All CZ is the same... CZ can be made with different dopants, and can be produced to a number of different quality grades depending on quality and % ratios of the different ingredients. The cooling process, and of course, the actual cutting and polishing also impact its final appearance. All CZ has a common ingredient (zirconium) but to say they are all the same is like saying all wine is the same because all wine is made from grapes.

Not sure if the above should be added to the article or not....but feel free to post on the above, or if there are other common myths I've overlooked.

Best regards,
Less

 

[gemcat]

Great article, Less. You might add something about the heat tolerance of CZ, since at least one vendor I saw made a big deal of their simulant tolerating much higher temps than CZ.

 

[karenleah]

I agree about the moissanite. People are often confused about it. About the color issue and what really makes it different from CZ and diamonds. I recently received a moissanite ring. I told a co-worked it was moissanite and she said "oh isnt moissanite that new CZ that just got big on the market?" I think many think CZ and moissanite are one in the same.

 

[talk-admin]

Great article, Less. You might add something about the heat tolerance of CZ, since at least one vendor I saw made a big deal of their simulant tolerating much higher temps than CZ.

Great suggestion GemCat. I can use the photos I pulled from the Gordon Max part of an Australian TV show....I'll add it now. Thanks!

 

[Cricketgrrl]

Two possible additions to this article might be:

a)Our moissanite is whiter than other moissanite. Technically, there is only one supplier of moissanite and they have always refused to color grade, so its basically luck of the draw what you get. There are some claims about proprietary heat treatment for making it whiter being done by some sellers, but as a general rule, the only way to get whiter moissanite is to buy a large lot, color grade them yourself, and send back the ones you don't want. However, C&C hates when you do that...

b)All CZ is the same... CZ can be made with different dopants, and can be produced to a number of different quality grades depending on quality and % ratios of the different ingredients. The cooling process, and of course, the actual cutting and polishing also impact its final appearance. All CZ has a common ingredient (zirconium) but to say they are all the same is like saying all wine is the same because all wine is made from grapes.

Not sure if the above should be added to the article or not....but feel free to post on the above, or if there are other common myths I've overlooked.

I think these are both valid and valuable points, Less. Excellent article! The same questions are asked on the boards all the time. While folks may not take the time to cruise through all of BTD's main site, it'll be great to have this info gathered into one place to point folks to. <img src=''http://talk.jewelry/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/graemlins/default/cool.gif'' alt='''' /> <img src=''http://talk.jewelry/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/graemlins/default/smile.gif'' alt='''' />

gemcat's temperature suggestion is also a good one to include!

Will there be something mentioned dispelling the fear of ''cloudiness'' in modern CZs? Perhaps something about superior cut/polishing and of course regular cleaning?

 

[grigsby72]

Great article Less!

Will there be something mentioned dispelling the fear of ''cloudiness'' in modern CZs? Perhaps something about superior cut/polishing and of course regular cleaning?

Gai is right, this is one I see people ask about constantly! People are always concerned/believe that their CZ will eventually cloud or turn foggy. They always ask...''How long will it last?''

 

[VioletBlue]

what about a short paragraph discussing the difference between a diamond 'simulant' and a 'synthetic' diamond.

i often hear those terms used synonymously, when they're truly two very different things.

 

[talk-admin]

Great feedback - thanks for the additional areas that need to be covered.

I'll add the explanation between 'synthetic' and 'simulant' (and even point out that they are not 'stimulants' as I often see posted <img src=''http://talk.jewelry/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/graemlins/default/laugh.gif'' alt='''' /&gt.

Additionally, I'll provide more info regarding the whole color turning phenomenon (clouding/yellowing) that was characteristic of lower grade czs.

I'll have to wait until next week to do it, as my wife already yelled at me for trying to work on our vacation...

Best regards,
Less

 

[Trysh]

I kinda think they are "stimulants"

 

[Pookarina]

they stimulate ME!!!

 

[diamondangel]

Re: Top Diamond Simulant Myths....article in progr

That is such a cool article, Less!

 

[Cricketgrrl]

I'll have to wait until next week to do it, as my wife already yelled at me for trying to work on our vacation...

LOL!!! <img src=''http://talk.jewelry/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/graemlins/default/grin.gif'' alt='''' /> <img src=''http://talk.jewelry/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/graemlins/default/grin.gif'' alt='''' /> <img src=''http://talk.jewelry/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/graemlins/default/grin.gif'' alt='''' /> <img src=''http://talk.jewelry/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/graemlins/default/tongue.gif'' alt='''' /> We women always know best, even when we don't, hmmmm?! <img src=''http://talk.jewelry/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/graemlins/default/blush.gif'' alt='''' /> <img src=''http://talk.jewelry/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/graemlins/default/grin.gif'' alt='''' />

 

[nicclark]

Excellent article! I like the pictures showing the diamond coating and what it does. Of course, I couldn't get my Asha with the coating because you were sold out of the stone I needed, but I'm still looking! Can't wait to read what you add about the clouding/yellowing of the stones...

 

[cynner]

Nothing to do with false claims but my pet peeve is the belief that diamonds do not window, or that they can't/won't show areas of light extinction at an angle. So many people think a 'giveaway' that a stone is a CZ rather than a diamond is because of a bit of windowing or a dark 'V' seen at an angle in an RB stone.

 

[DiamLady]

You touched on this in #3, but I feel a bold statement that differentiates between a Synthetic and a Simulant should be included.

Soooooooooo many people (including a lot of jewelers) use the terms interchangeably, and they are not the same thing.

 

[adzuraelier]

great article and very helpful!due to the price of an asha,i hav 2 admit 2 looking at other options (what the heart likes n the pocket can afford may not be the same...)the Sona diamond sellers claim that their diamond have the same chemical composition 2 asha but do not expressly deny that theirs arent CZ.m confused...are there anyone out there who has bought Sona n compared to asha?is it the same or different?significant or negligible?

 

[Cricketgrrl]

Firstly, welcome to the BTD board, aea228. <img src=''http://talk.jewelry/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/graemlins/default/cool.gif'' alt='''' /> <img src=''http://talk.jewelry/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/graemlins/default/smile.gif'' alt='''' />

Regarding your query, if you do a search on ''sona'' you'll find plenty of information. I'll post a thread to you in the main ''Simulants and Synthetics'' forum, with a couple links to start you off. <img src=''http://talk.jewelry/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/graemlins/default/smirk.gif'' alt='''' />

 

[adzuraelier]

thank u 4 the threads.very helpful.already feeling very very lucky to stumble onto the wonderful world of BTD enthusiasts.

 

[Valeria101]

Richard Hughes has this cute little article about Moissanite - LINK

I already envy the folks who have not yet went through the readings on the website where this one comes from! I'll never forget my first (48 hours of doing little else, after the first encounter with the respective prose and author)

Enjoy!