Chemically physically and optically lab grown diamonds are the exact same as mined diamonds the difference between the two lies within the origin one comes from the ground and one is man made in a lab as you can see in the chart below lab created diamonds are formed with the same chemical composition as mined diamonds.
Cubic zirconia vs lab created diamond.
Cubic zirconia cz has been the most popular diamond alternative for years.
Before the advent of superior and more durable man made diamond coatings and cultured diamonds cubic zirconia was the most common consumer choice for a more affordable diamond alternative.
Diamond grown in a lab.
Diamond simulants like cubic zirconia and coated cz sold by companies like diamond nexus labs are extremely inexpensive to produce.
Lab grown diamonds vs cubic zirconia.
Lab created diamond alternatives are a new development in jewelry.
Lab grown diamonds and cubic zirconia are completely different in terms of physical and chemical properties.
Cz has an ri of 2 15 2 18 which means lab created diamonds have a depth of brilliance uncommon to cubic zirconia bringing the lab diamond closer in nature to the real diamond in terms of light refraction.
These products are typically 2 50 per carat at wholesale from distributors like stuller and yet they can retail online for over 100 per carat.
Cubic zirconia and diamond are two distinct stones even though they may look similar from afar.
It s easy to differentiate between lab created diamond versus cubic zirconia with a diamond tester because their conductive properties vary greatly.
Cubic zirconia is lab created.
The stones lack brilliance and lasting beauty.
Lab created diamond vs cubic zirconia conductive properties.
Check out this extensive selection of cubic zirconia jewelry.
The diamond authority prides itself in educating the public about all the options out there for their jewelry needs and this includes discussing the diamond.
For this reason cubic zirconia is much easier to scratch and is generally less durable than lab created diamonds.
They offer the clarity shine and fire of mined diamonds without the financial or ethical costs.
Lab created diamonds have an ri refraction index of 2 42 giving them a depth of brilliance that has become a signature of real diamonds.
With all the talk about diamond simulants cubic zirconia man made diamonds diamond alternatives and lab created diamonds it s no wonder people get confused in their search for the perfect engagement ring.
Lab grown diamonds are much more durable than cubic zirconia while synthetic diamonds are rated 10 on the mohs scale of hardness same as natural diamonds cubic zirconia is rated 8 5.
Updated in january 2016.
For this reason cubic zirconia is less durable.
A diamond tester will let you know with certainty if a gemstone is a real diamond whether it was lab created or mined.