Diamonds, Simulants, Lab Gems, Synthetics & Hybrids : eBay Guides

What is the difference between SIMULANT, SIMULATE, SYNTHETIC and HYBRID?

Recently, the term 'simulate' became another name for a simulant. They are one and the same. The basic definitions are as follows:

A SIMULANT, looks and feels like its natural counterpart.  For diamonds, there are a myriad of simulants, some are common, others are not...some are natural gems that give the impression of a diamond, some are synthetic gems that give the impression of a diamond..

1. YAG, not common
2. CZ, Cubic Zirconia (Diamonique, Diamonelle, Diamonel, Briolite, Russian Brilliants, Russian Ice)
   Not all CZ's are created equally...many are poorly cut and can sell for a few cents per carat.  Sometimes brand names really DO make the difference.
3. Glass
4. Rhinestones
5. Stronium Titanate, not common
6. Synthetic Rutile, not common
7. White Sapphire, Natural or Synthetic
8. Zircon - NATURAL, do not confuse with Cubic Zirconia
9. Moissanite, (it should be called Synthetic Moissanite, because the only natural Moissanite is located in Space...with the exception of a few tiny crystals that made it to earth...I have yet to see a piece of Moissanite that actually CAME from the stars!)

A synthetic ANYTHING, will have the exact same composition as its natural counterpart, and also mimic the visual characteristics. (IE:  Synthetic Sapphire)

The chemical composition of a simulant is nothing similar to its natural counterpart however, it will have many of the same physical or visual characteristics.

A Hybrid is a combination of simulant and synthetic.  They are still considered a simulant, as they are not chemically identical to any natural material.

A HYBRID stone, though they may contain traces of SYNTHETIC, are still considered a simulant. For example, our own Russian Jewels mimic virtually ALL of the physical properties of a natural diamond, however, their chemical composition is different. What makes these stones, along with a few select others (Diamond Hybrid, Asha, Sona), a hybrid, is that they are coated with a DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coating, assisting in the prevention of abrasions and the relatively quick clouding over of most low end simulants. (A common CZ will cloud within 5-6 months with regular wear. The clouding is actually tiny abrasions on the surface of the stone.) What the DLC coating does, because it IS so durable, is extends the life of the stone.

Hybrids are better, as far as simulants go, but they are NOT the real thing.  Hybrids, regardless of how much elemental carbon is infused, coated, included in the creation of the stone, WILL NOT fool a diamond tester.  Simply because they are NOT diamond :)

Please do not be fooled into thinking any SIMULANT gemstone is a SYNTHETIC gemstone! Synthetic diamonds ARE available (in fact, we have connections to three of the worlds top secret sources and can get them at approximately half the price of natural, mined diamonds.)

Clear, white Synthetic diamonds are in the early stages.  So far, only very small crystals have been created.  Blue, Green, Yellow and Red Synthetics are available, often up to 1 carat in size or more.  While this is exciting, just be careful when shopping on eBay...the term "LAB DIAMOND" comes up often and it is not the appropriate name to give a simulant or a hybrid.  Only a SYNTHETIC stone should be referred to as a LAB DIAMOND.

Thanks for reading!