In this guide, we list the names of different types of diamonds on the market, and explain what each is.
These include Real Diamonds (also called natural or mined diamonds) vs Lab Created vs Moissanite vs Cubic Zirconia vs Simulated vs Hybrid vs Synthetic vs Man Made vs Fake vs Enhanced vs Cultured/Cultivated Diamonds.
Summary – The Different Types Of Diamonds, & Different Names For Different Types Of Diamonds
– ‘Real’ Diamonds
Also called natural or mined diamonds.
They form via natural processes beneath the Earth’s surface, and are mined/extracted by human mining practices.
Mined diamonds can also be recycled, re-cut, re-polished and sold secondhand refurbished to other owners.
– Lab Grown Diamonds
Diamonds that are grown by humans, with a controllable growing process in a lab.
They are grown from a seed of real/pre-existing carbon diamond material, and are physically and chemically the same as real/mined diamonds in almost every single way.
These guide may provide more clarification on what lab grown diamonds are:
Pros & Cons Of Lab Grown Diamonds
Lab Grown Diamonds vs Mined Diamonds: Comparison, Differences, Similarities
Buyer’s Considerations For Lab Grown Diamonds
– Moissanite Diamonds
A simulant diamond – contains no real diamond material
– Cubic Zirconia Diamonds
A simulant diamond – contains no real diamond material
– Simulated Diamond
Created to mimic the look of real diamonds, but contain zero diamond material, and are non precious.
In addition to CZ and Moissanite, White Topaz is another example
– Hybrid Diamonds
A blend of lab created diamond and diamond simulant technology
– Synthetic Diamonds
A form of fake diamonds
– Man Made Diamonds
Made via human processes as opposed to geological and natural processes
– Fake Diamonds
Simulant diamonds
– Enhanced Diamonds
A type of diamond that uses advanced technology to improve the appearance of low grade or low quality real diamonds
– Cultured Diamonds
Another name for lab grown diamonds
What Are Real Diamonds? (i.e. Natural, Or Mined Diamonds)
These are diamonds that are made of crystallized carbon.
These diamonds form over the timespan of millions, and usually billions of years.
They form as carbon atoms via natural processes miles beneath the Earth’s surface when they are exposed to the right mix of pressure, temperature and with the right chemical reactions.
They are brought closer to the surface in rocks by magma from volcanic eruptions.
At this point they can be mined by human mining practices.
Not all diamonds formed naturally of worthy of being ‘gem quality’.
What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?
Lab created diamonds are also crystallized carbon
They are like mined diamonds in every way physically, chemically and from a visual/optical standpoint to the naked human eye.
They are grown in labs from ‘seeds’ or ‘slivers’ of carbon based pre-existing diamond material.
Growth machines mimic the natural formation conditions with the right mix of temperature and pressure.
In the same way that mined diamonds aren’t all of ‘gem quality’, lab grown diamonds have a ‘failure rate’ as well.
However, apart from the difference in the way they are formed and brought to market, there are minor and ‘insignificant’ differences between lab created diamonds and mined diamonds when inspected under specialized equipment and devices like spectrometers or x-rays.
Read more about how mined diamonds and lab grown diamonds differ in these guides:
Lab Created Diamonds vs Real (Mined/Natural) Diamonds: Comparison, & Differences & Similarities
Pros & Cons Of Lab Grown Diamonds
In this guide we also summarise some of the products that popular lab grown diamond sellers offer:
Finding the Best Lab Created Diamonds: Reviews, Buyer’s Guide & FAQ Guide
What Are Moissanite Diamonds?
A type of simulant diamond that is created to mimic the look of natural diamonds, but contains zero diamond and is non-precious.
When analyzing it’s refractive properties, moissanites are usually double refractive and real diamonds are usually single refractive.
Moissanite diamonds are not true carbon crystals.
Simulants do not have the same chemical and physical properties as natural diamonds.
Moissanite diamonds have thermal conductivity properties that differentiate them from natural diamonds when tested with a handheld diamond tester.
Usually much cheaper than mined/natural diamonds.
What Are Cubic Zirconia Diamonds?
A type of simulant diamond that is the most popular simulant on the market.
It is created to mimic the look of natural diamonds, but contains zero diamond and is non-precious.
CZ are not true carbon crystals.
Simulants do not have the same chemical and physical properties as natural diamonds.
CZ have thermal conductivity properties that differentiate them from natural diamonds when tested with a handheld diamond tester.
Usually much cheaper than mined/natural diamonds.
What Are Simulated Diamonds?
Simulated diamonds are created to mimic the look of natural diamonds, but contain zero diamond and are non-precious.
Examples of diamond simulants are Cubic Zirconia (CZ), Moissanite and White Topaz.
They are not not true carbon crystals, and may have different physical, chemical and visual properties to natural diamonds.
They may be tested to have different thermal conductivity, refractive, harness, clarity and other properties to natural diamonds.
Simulated diamond are usually much cheaper than mined/natural diamonds.
What Are Hybrid Diamonds?
[A blend of] … both lab-created diamond and diamond simulate technology.
[Starts with a] porous crystal core that is not diamond, and then infuse a form of lab-created diamond (carbon) on the outer layer.
Because it’s not pure crystallized carbon and not 100% chemically identical to the earth-mined diamond it is still classified a simulant.
We call it a “Hybrid” because it is using a blend of lab-created diamond and diamond simulate technology
– miadonna.com
What Are Synthetic Diamonds?
A ‘synthetic’ diamond can be a confusing term used in the jewelry industry, mainly due to the marketing used by different retailers and sellers.
The word synthetic is usually used to describe a man made product that imitates a natural product.
So, synthetic diamonds should really be fake diamonds such as CZ and Moissanite diamonds.
Lab grown diamonds are not technically synthetic diamonds because although they are man made, they are the same physically, chemically and visually as natural/mined diamonds.
So, be careful when you see the word ‘synthetic’ used to describe diamonds – check what sort of diamond it really is.
What Are Man Made Diamonds?
Diamonds made by human processes as opposed to geological and natural processes.
They can include lab grown diamonds, simulants like CZ and Moissanite, and hybrid diamonds – just to name a few.
What Are Fake Diamonds?
Fake diamonds are simulant diamonds like CZ and Moissanite that are not true carbon crystals, and have different chemical, physical or optical properties to real diamonds.
What Are Enhanced Diamonds?
[Diamonds that make use of] advanced technology … to improve the visual appearance of lower grade diamonds by the process of laser drilling or fracture filling (israeldiamond.com)
So, these diamonds are not the same as buying a real or natural diamond – you are getting a modified product.
What Are Cultured/Cultivated Diamonds?
Cultured or cultivated are terms usually used to refer to lab grown diamonds.
Some people disagree with the use of this term because lab grown diamonds are man made
How To Make Sure You Know What Type Diamond You Are Getting
We wrote about understanding what you are getting when buying diamonds in this guide, and also this one.
But, a summary of points includes but isn’t limited to:
– Do your own research of diamonds, sellers, and buying consideration beforehand
– Look at what gurantees, warranties, return policies and trade in policies the seller offers
– Always ask for a third party certification certificate from a recognised independent gemological with your diamond purchase
– Ask for any other testing and diamond verification data or certifications with your purchase
– Going a step further, you can ask sellers about where they source their diamonds from (i.e. who their supplier is), and also ask for some type of diamond origin or traceability guarantee
– You may also want to visually inspect the diamond before purchasing, or if purchasing online, make sure it comes with some type of return policy or warranty in case you are dissatisfied or find an issue with the diamond when you receive it
Sources
1. https://www.brilliantearth.com/lab-created-diamonds/
2. https://www.miadonna.com/pages/stone-guide-compare-stones
3. http://www.israeldiamond.com/buyer-beware
4. https://www.diamonds.pro/education/lab-diamonds/
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