Diamonds have long been a girl’s best friend and one of the most popular stones used in jewelry. However, as opposed to natural diamonds, synthetic diamonds have a reputation for being considered fake or not as valuable. To help clear up the differences between these two stones, here is what you need to know.
Natural Diamonds Vs. Synthetic: Creation
Natural diamonds are a substance that can only form in the earth’s mantle, about 100 miles below the surface. In contrast, synthetic diamonds are created in laboratories using high heat and pressure to simulate the conditions that form natural diamonds.
Because of their man-made origins, many people assume that synthetic diamonds aren’t real or are otherwise fake. However, despite not being made naturally, synthetic diamonds still have the same physical properties and chemical makeup as natural ones do. The only difference is they didn’t take millions of years to form deep beneath the earth.
Can You Identify Synthetic Diamonds?
Due to their similarities, even the most experienced jewelers can have difficulty telling synthetic diamonds from their natural counterparts without special equipment. It is highly unlikely that anyone would be able to tell with the naked eye, and the best way for you to know is to ask for a certificate. The Gemological Institute of America issues diamond certificates that indicate whether or not a stone is synthetic or natural.
Are There Advantages to Synthetic Diamonds?
While natural and synthetic diamonds are compositionally the same, synthetic diamonds can have some advantages. Most notably, they are almost always less expensive. While this may make them seem less desired, consider the fact that you can get a synthetic diamond that is flawless or nearly flawless for a much lower price than a natural specimen. Unless you are specifically seeking a natural diamond, you shouldn’t turn your nose up at a synthetic that can be just as gorgeous in a jewelry set.
Both Have Their Benefits
While there may be no real differences between synthetic and natural diamonds aside from the method of their creation and price points, they each have their own benefits. Natural diamonds, formed in the mantle over millions of years, can be desirable due to their status, while synthetic varieties can allow anyone to purchase a gorgeous high-quality diamond, without going too far over budget.