Are you about to begin the next chapter of your life? Are you looking for a souvenir to exchange vows with your partner? Well, most modern couples these days look for pastel shades such as a morganite engagement ring, purple sapphire ring, or an aquamarine ring for officiating their engagement. However, this does not mean that the classic diamond ring has already gone out of fashion. Diamonds are always the first choice of couples when it comes to expressing heartfelt love emotions.
It surely can’t be denied that nothing compares to diamonds when it comes to brilliance. However, another fact is that the skyrocketing price of diamonds make it almost impossible for commoners to dream of adorning one in their entire life. But with a range of affordable diamond alternatives available in the market, flaunting a diamond lookalike is not a dream anymore. Are you also hunting for a diamond alternative that could mimic the legendary diamonds? Well, then this article is exclusively for you.
Also Read: How to Buy Diamond Jewelry the Right Way
Why Opt for Diamond Alternatives?
Well, the answer to this question is quite obvious. Diamonds are one of the most expensive gemstones in the world and the reason is their low availability, exceptional durability, and unparalleled beauty. Moreover, with increasing awareness about the environmental vulnerability associated with the extraction of natural diamonds, more and more people are shifting to diamond alternatives that are ethically sourced and within budget. These alternatives are either natural or lab-made but have a different physical and chemical composition from diamonds. Below are a few that you might be interested in.
Lab-Grown Diamonds
Still want to go for diamonds even if not natural ones? Lab-grown diamonds are artificial counterparts of mined diamonds. It means artificial diamonds are not lookalike but guaranteed real diamonds manufactured in labs rather than formed naturally inside the earth. But even though artificial diamonds are quite affordable as compared to natural ones, they are still the most expensive natural diamond alternative. This is because both varieties of diamonds have identical physical and chemical properties, something which a precious stone such as a Paraiba gemstone can suit with a string of lab-grown diamonds.
Lab-Grown Moissanites
The most fascinating fact about lab-grown moissanite is that it is not formed naturally but is manufactured in labs only. With a hardness of 9.5, moissanite is so similar to natural diamonds that only an expert can differentiate between the two. So a ruby gemstone with a moissanite halo can be a masterpiece you can pass on to your future generations as a keepsake.
Lab-Grown Cubic Zirconia
One of the most popular diamond alternatives is cubic zirconia, another exclusively lab-grown diamond lookalike. It offers a similar level of dispersion and brilliance as the diamonds but can be bought at a price that is a fraction of what a diamond would cost. However, cubic zirconia has quite low durability and often loses its shine over time after absorbing oils from the skin.
Natural & Lab-Grown White Sapphire
While many of us see sapphires as blue gemstones only, sapphires exist in multiple shades, one of which is a white sapphire. It has emerged as a popular diamond alternative which is available both as a natural product and a lab-grown variety. However, even though you can find a sizable white sapphire stone with impressive durability at prices that are amazingly lower than a diamond, a white sapphire will never give off a similar sparkle as a diamond, hence the distinction between the two is obvious.
Natural Quartz
Meet another inexpensive diamond alternative, quartz can not match the aesthetic appearance of a diamond but if polished well, a quartz crystal can outshine an average cut diamond. But note that you can’t expect a superior level of hardness from quartz, it will eventually scratch with continuous use.
Natural White Zircon
White zircon is the natural or mined variety of lab-grown cubic zirconia with a spectacular appearance like a diamond. It offers exceptional dispersion and brilliance and hence resembles a diamond the most in terms of any other mined white stone. Although it is easily available and highly affordable, zircon is likely to lose its charm with gradual wearing or may chip when exposed to high pressure.
Natural White Topaz
Just like a sapphire, topaz is mined in myriads of hues along with a hueless white variety. A very affordable diamond alternative, topaz could never compete with diamonds in terms of dispersion even though a white topaz may exhibit gorgeous brilliance and sparkle. Also, topaz is not a good option to be worn every day since the stone may be subjected to weathering or may get chipped due to pressure.
Goshenite
Have you ever heard of colorless beryl? It is none other than goshenite. Make an inexpensive investment in a sizable goshenite stone with a convincing durability feature. It will make your centerstone radiate brightly for a very long period though you should not expect the stone to sparkle as brilliantly as a diamond.
Parting Words
Always remember, opting for a diamond simulant is not wrong as long as your seller discloses this to you before you make a purchase. Even if you are purchasing something that might look like a diamond, your seller has no right to charge you the price of a diamond for a diamond alternative. With these many diamond alternatives available in the market, take the help of a professional expert to make you choose one that suits your budget the most.
Still want to buy diamonds, visit www.gemsny.com to get a glimpse of eye-blinding brilliance and capture your ultimate diamond ring. Those looking for affordable diamonds must check out our lab-grown diamond collection. So what are you waiting for, place your order, and the magic will soon begin.
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