| Diamonds are a girl's best friend is what they say. But | | | | not pass this test. However, there is a mineral called |
| can she tell the difference between a natural mined | | | | Moissanite that is laboratory made. This has become a |
| diamond and a man made diamond? Probably not, | | | | favorite material for man-made diamond |
| since even experienced jewelers have trouble at | | | | manufacturing since it will cut glass as cleanly as a real |
| times. So, for the future groom, considering a man | | | | diamond. Moissanite does not, however, possess the |
| made diamond is plausible. | | | | optical properties of natural diamond. |
| Two processes are utilized to manufacture man-made | | | | The term "man made diamond" is the same thing as |
| diamonds. The most popular is called HPHT or High | | | | "synthetic diamond" so don't be fooled by someone |
| Pressure, High Temperature. A gigantic press that | | | | trying to play word games with you. Man made |
| creates a massive pressure is used. The temperature | | | | diamonds look the same, feel the same and create the |
| created by the pressure is over 1500 degrees Celsius. | | | | same good feeling when wearing them. Comparative |
| This method can produce a 2.8 carat yellow diamond | | | | pricing is the tell tale thing here. |
| in about three days. This will yield a 1.5 carat diamond | | | | Natural diamonds are priced at around $13,500 per |
| after cutting and cleaning. | | | | carat while man-made diamonds are around $500 to |
| The other method is CVP or Chemical Vapor | | | | $700 per carat. Of course, there are others that will be |
| Deposition. In this process, a sliver of real diamond is | | | | pricier but they won't be any clearer or sharper than |
| used and various gases are used to duplicate the | | | | the next one. And keep in mind with those prices, the 4 |
| natural process inside the earth's crust. This method is | | | | C's of diamonds (color, cut, caret, and clarity) come into |
| a bit more expensive and so is not as widely utilized in | | | | play in pricing it. |
| the industry. | | | | Man made diamonds are pretty much "perfect", but |
| Aside from the processes used to manufacture | | | | they are, after all, synthetic. If it is made in nature like a |
| diamonds, there is still no replacement for the real deal. | | | | real diamond is, there are very few "perfect" |
| As far as being able to tell the difference, you couldn't | | | | diamonds, and the ones that do exist command a very |
| tell by just looking at the outside of the diamond. It | | | | high price. |
| would take the trained eye of an experienced jeweler | | | | So in conclusion, man made diamonds are good for |
| to make the judgment. Of course under magnification, | | | | the wallet, make the women happy and are easy to |
| the differences would be more apparent. | | | | come by. Many people shy away from them due to |
| The real test of a diamond has always been "Will it cut | | | | the words "synthetic" or "man-made". This is |
| glass?" Since natural diamond is the hardest naturally | | | | unfortunate because when a diamond can be created |
| occurring substance known to man that can cut glass | | | | in 3 days time compared to millions of years, it can't all |
| cleanly, this has become the test for man made | | | | be bad now can it? |
| diamonds. Most man made or synthetic diamonds will | | | | |