White Gemstones Compared

WHITE GEMSTONES COMPARED You probably picture a diamond when you think of a white gemstone. Although diamonds are beautiful and traditional, you may want an inexpensive alternative. Learn more about white gemstones and find the best alternative for you. DIAMOND MOISSANITE WHITE SAPPHIRE WHITE TOPAZ CUBIC ZIRCONIA Chemical Chemical Chemical Chemical Chemical Composition: Composition: Composition: Composition: Composition: ZrO2 SiC AlLO, Al:(F, OH).SiO, (Zirconium Dioxide) (Silicon Carbide) BRILLIANCE (Refractive Index) Diamond 12.417 2.691 Moissanite White Sapphire White Topaz Cubic Zirconia 1.770 |1.664 2.177 FIRE (Dispersion) Diamond Moissanite White Sapphire White Topaz LOW: 0.014 Cubic Zirconia HIGH: 0.044 HIGH: 0.104 LOW: 0.018 HIGH: 0.065 HARDNESS (Mohs Scale) Diamond Moissanite | 10 9.25 White Sapphire White Topaz Cubic Zirconia 8.5 DIAMONDe A POLYMORPH OF CARBON Graphite is another form: Shares same chemistry (pure carbon) but has different structures and properties FIRST DISCOVERED IN INDIA Formed at high temperature and pressure at depths of 87 TO 120 MILES in Earth's mantle over periods from 1B TO 3.3B YEARS RISES CLOSE TO EARTH'S SURFACE DUE TO DEEP VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS SYNTHETIC DIAMOND: • Manufactured in laboratory • Possible to produce gem quality synthetics of significant size PROS: CONS: HARDEST & RARE EXPENSIVE! Easily attracts grease, which builds up on surface and can reduce luster appearance REQUIRES SKILLED GEM CUTTERS Has long symbolized USUALLY CONTAINS IMPURITIES AND INCLUSIONS LOVE AND PURITY LIMITED RESOURCES: JUST 350 TONS INDICATES WEALTH AND HIGHER SOCIAL STATUS 3000000 000000O 000000 000000 $$ $ $ 24 24 HAVE EVER BEEN MINED MOISSANITE IN 1980S, Discovered more than 100 ARTIFICIALLY CREATED IN years ago in a meteorite LABORATORY In 1998, debuted in jewelry industry by Charles & Colvard and first sold to retailers PROS: CONS: MORE BRILLIANT NOT TRADITIONALLY SYMBOLIC than a diamond NOT AS HARD AS A DIAMOND Less likely to cleave into two pieces when force is applied Harder than sapphire, topaz, and CZ RELATIVELY LESS EXPENSIVE THAN A DIAMOND UNKNOWN • Much less commonplace than a diamond Refractive index is about 10% higher than a diamond WHITE SAPPHIRE AND WHITE TOPAZ SAPPHIRE FACTS: TOPAZ FACTS: Aluminum silicate mineral AlO, Aluminum oxide Al:(F, OH),SiO, with fluorine and hydroxyl CAN BE FOUND: Crystal formed within cavities of volcanic rock which &8 erupted millions years ago NATURALLY MANUFACTURED Becomes colorless after exposure to sunlight PROS: CONS: RARE! LESS EXPENSIVE GETS DIRTY THAN A DIAMOND EASY Topaz is cheaper than sapphire NOT ENTIRELY COLORLESS Good hardness DOES NOT GLITTER OR SHINE AS MUCH AS A DIAMOND (9 for sapphires and 8 for topaz on Mohs Scale) DURABLE & DOES NOT SCRATCH OR CHIP EASILY CUBIC ZIRCONIA O ZrO2 Cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide IN 1970S, SOVIET SCIENTISTS Found naturally occurring once in 1937 STARTED GROWING CRYSTALS IN LABORATORY ENTERED MARKET AROUND 1976 |MOST WIDELY USED DIAMOND SIMULANT PROS: CONS: INEXPENSIVE DIAMOND LOOK-ALIKE E LOSES SURFACE LUSTER QUICKLY Potential to cloud or darken if not cared for properly EASILY SCRATCHES AND ABRADES EASILY Simulant - created to resemble other substances or gemstones, but does not necessarily share similar properties REPLACEABLE INFERIOR MASS in almost every gemological property to other gems PRODUCED 75% HEAVIER THAN A DIAMOND SOURCES http://gemologyproject.com http://www.diamondtrade.com/basics/valuable.cfm http://www.whatismoissanite.com http://www.diamonds-are-forever.org.uk/moissanite.htm http://geology.utah.gov/utahgeo/rockmineral/collecting/topaz.htm http://academic.emporia.edu/abersusa/go340/students/berg/cz.html MOISSANITE COM by CHARLES& COLVARD FACTS: