If you’ve heard how cubic zirconium looks as good as a real diamond, and that is tempting you to buy it instead of a genuine stone, you need to hear the rest of the story. Do some research first, to compare real diamonds to synthetic diamonds before you drop any cash on either one. There are differences in hardness, the way light reflects on the material, and the value of the gemstone. The last thing you want to do is pay top price for a simulated diamond that has no secondary market value whatsoever, meaning no one will ever buy this type of jewelry on the secondary market, unlike genuine diamond rings.
Differences In Hardness
As far as genuine diamonds go, they are the hardest substance when compared to imitations. That means they last much longer than synthetics. The surfaces don’t scratch for real diamonds, but can scratch for fake diamonds. No matter how good a cubic zirconia looks in the jewelry store, it may not keep that look once it starts experiencing normal wear and tear. The fact that simulated stones are much softer means that they don’t polish as well either, unlike diamonds that have a superior polished surface on most jewelry pieces.
How It Picks Up Light
Diamond will reflect light so well that you can’t even read newsprint through it. That’s what gives it that glowing brilliance. Other simulated diamonds will fail the newspaper test, and that’s also what contributes to a dull appearance when compared to genuine diamonds. Some diamonds even fluoresce giving it a light blue appearance, which some prefer although it does impact the price of the diamond. In terms of light reflection, there is really no comparison between simulated diamonds and genuine diamonds. The genuine diamonds always win.
No Lasting Value
Finally, the simulated diamonds hold no intrinsic value, unlike natural diamond stones. They have little commercial value, and no secondary value whatsoever. When you buy a simulated diamond piece of jewelry, it is akin to costume jewelry. You might get a few cents for it at a garage sale, but you’ll never convince a knowledgeable diamond buyer in the market to buy it for the same price as a real diamond.
Real diamonds, on the other hand, retain their value based on the 4 C’s and an excellent system of certification that can evaluate how much a stone is worth with great consistency amongst jewelers. Even diamonds that are enhanced with heat treatments and fillers will lose value, as it is no longer considered a purely natural stone. Some labs will even note the enhancement to signify why the stone is not worth as much as a real diamond. While the enhanced stones may look spectacular to the naked eye, a jeweler won’t be fooled and they will appraise it and any simulated stones way below what a natural diamond is worth. When you are looking to buy jewelry that is valuable now, and ten years from now, only genuine diamonds have that potential. All other simulated stones don’t even compare when it comes to investment value.