Cultivated diamonds have been gaining traction in the market, and today, we’ll delve into a highly-discussed topic—how do cultivated diamonds differ from moissanite? Let’s find out together!
Understanding Moissanite and Cultivated Diamonds
Moissanite:
Moissanite, chemically known as synthetic silicon carbide, is an artificially grown gemstone produced by cultivating carbon and silicon minerals. It has a specific gravity of 3.22 and a hardness of 9.25 (natural diamonds have a hardness of 10). Moissanite exhibits high refractive index and dispersion under the influence of silicon, making it more brilliant and fiery than natural diamonds. Therefore, it’s often used as a substitute for diamonds.
However, it’s crucial to note that moissanite is not a diamond! Moissanite’s composition is silicon carbide, whereas natural diamonds are composed of carbon, with differing chemical compositions and atomic structures.
Cultivated Diamonds:
Cultivated diamonds are diamonds grown in laboratories. Currently, there are two main methods for manufacturing cultivated diamonds in the market: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) method and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) method.
HPHT diamonds are created through high pressure and high temperature synthesis. They are typically placed in growth chambers containing iron and carbon, where carbon dissolves in molten iron and grows into diamonds. These diamonds are mainly cubic or octahedral, often yellow-brown, and can be color-enhanced through irradiation to blue, orange, pink, brown, or yellow. HPHT synthetic diamonds are now commonly found in the DG color range, exhibiting irregular dark inclusions or feather-like patterns, or point-like inclusions.
CVD diamonds are produced through the Chemical Vapor Deposition method. Carbon atoms from methane continuously deposit onto a diamond substrate, synthesizing layers of diamond growth. As a result, the diamond grows layer by layer on the substrate, rapidly “growing” in size.
Cultivated diamonds have identical chemical composition, physical structure, appearance, hardness, density, and refractive index to natural diamonds. Therefore, cultivated diamonds are true diamonds!
At this point, you might still be feeling a bit puzzled. Let me highlight the key points for you!
Distinguishing Moissanite from Cultivated Diamonds
1. Different Chemical Composition:
– Moissanite is composed of silicon carbide, while cultivated diamonds are composed of carbon.
2. Varied Hardness:
– Moissanite has a hardness of 9.25, whereas cultivated diamonds and natural diamonds both have a hardness of 10. Observing through a magnifying glass, you’ll notice that the edges of moissanite are relatively blunt compared to diamonds, while cultivated diamonds have very sharp edges. This is because cultivated diamonds, like natural diamonds, are the hardest substances in nature.
3. Distinct Optical Properties:
– Moissanite and cultivated diamonds also differ significantly in their optical properties. Moissanite exhibits heterogeneous optical properties, meaning that when light passes through moissanite, the direction and vibration characteristics of light change, splitting into two beams with different refractive indices, resulting in noticeable facet doubling under a magnifying glass.
– In contrast, cultivated diamonds, like natural diamonds, are homogeneous, with no double refraction, and no observable facet doubling phenomenon.
In contrast, cultivated diamonds, like natural diamonds, are homogeneous, with no double refraction, and no observable facet doubling phenomenon.
Regardless of whether it’s moissanite or cultivated diamonds, there are reasons for choosing each. Everyone should choose based on their own needs! Before making a purchase, it’s essential to have a basic understanding of both to avoid any pitfalls.