Diamond Education

Diamonds have a secure spot as the top engagement and wedding ring gem. Their monetary and aesthetic value can’t be denied, which is why so many people opt for this stunning option. If you’re thinking about including a diamond in your engagement or wedding ring, here are the basics you should know.

Natural Diamonds

Lab Grown Diamonds

Diamond Alternatives

Benefits of Diamonds

Natural Diamonds

About 3 billion years ago, heat and pressure in the Earth’s mantle crystallized carbon atoms to create diamonds. Over time, those diamonds were brought to the surface by deep-source volcanic eruptions.

The pressure under which diamonds were formed gave them a hardened exterior that has allowed them to be turned into durable jewelry.

Benefits of Natural Diamonds

Lab-Grown Diamonds

Thanks to modern technology, the diamond formation process has been replicated to produce high-quality, lab-grown diamonds. The technology uses extreme pressure and heat to form a diamond in a matter of weeks. These diamonds have essentially the same physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds, which means they look identical and are just as hard. The biggest difference is the price and resale value.

Benefits of Lab-Grown Diamonds

Diamond Alternatives

Natural and lab-grown diamonds are the only true diamond options, but some jewelry offers diamond alternatives. While some diamond alternatives are great options, others are not.

Moissanite

If you want high brilliance, clarity, and durability, moissanite is one of the best alternatives to diamonds. Moissanite is an incredibly rare white gemstone that has been replicated in lab-grown processes. Moissanite is actually more brilliant than diamond and almost as strong (measuring at about 9.25 on Mohs scale of hardness).

Cubic Zirconia

Cubic zirconia is quite different from a diamond. It isn’t formed from carbon atoms, which gives it less brilliance and a lower hardness rating. It is also much cheaper than both diamond options and has an extremely low resale value.

Most quality jewelry will use other options over cubic zirconia.