There is a common misconception that lab grown diamonds are a diamond simulant. The first option for getting the look of a diamond is well, a diamond! When it comes to this beautiful gem, there are two options: lab grown, or natural. Perhaps one may be the perfect center stone choice for you. Here are the most common diamond alternative stones. Perhaps a natural diamond is perfect for you, but maybe you want to explore diamond simulate center stones. While we won’t go into all the details of natural diamonds, you can learn about them here. They score a perfect 10 on the Mohs hardness scale and are highly refractive (2.417-2.419). They’re unique, rare, and take a really long time to form. That’s right, billion! This is precisely the reason diamonds are so pricey. This process is a long one, taking between 1 and 3.3 billion years. They are created with intense heat and pressure, deep under Earth’s surface.

You learned about them in middle school geology class and have been dreaming about one being on your finger since you were a little girl. Natural diamonds continue to be the first choice of most brides-to-be. We’ll also show graphs to give you a visual representation of where each diamond or diamond alternative falls on these charts. These tools show two aspects of each stone: how hard and durable it is, and also the “brilliance,” which is essentially how sparkly the stone is. In this post, we’ll reference two aspects of diamonds and diamond alternatives: hardness and refractive index. Keep reading to discover which option is best for you!

We’ll walk you through all the center stone options if you want the classic look of a diamond, or diamond alternatives. When it comes to engagement rings, he knows it all! And he is GIA certified in Diamond and Diamond Grading. We consulted our Store Director and expert designer, Darrell, to get the facts.

When it comes to the gemstones you put in it, there are so many options that it can sometimes be overwhelming. Congratulations! It can be hard to find the perfect ring, and when you do, your decisions aren’t over.

White sapphire hardness