You might have known diamond simulants as the beloved alternative to natural diamonds, but do you know what these stones really are? We’ll tell you what Éclat by Oui’s diamond simulants are made of and how they compare to real diamonds.
Diamond Simulants are lab-cultivated stones which have a different chemical structure than that of a natural, carbon diamond. Therefore, it is important to recognise that they do not share the same chemical characteristics. At Éclat by Oui, our diamond simulants are made of the highest grade of moissanites - the highest purity silicon carbide in its crystalline form. While it performs differently from carbon diamonds, its affordability, durability and impressive visual likeness to a real diamond, has made moissanite a paramount competitor to natural diamonds.
1. Optics and colour
When it comes to choosing a diamond, colour and clarity are critical indicators of a diamond’s value. As with all things in nature, no diamond is perfect. All naturally mined diamonds have internal flaws, called inclusions, and external irregularities, called blemishes. Clarity is the relative absence of such flaws. Natural diamonds with little inclusions and blemishes are extremely rare, and therefore cost a fortune. As Éclat by Oui’s moissanites are made in lab-controlled environments, we are able to create a perfect stone every, single time.
Besides clarity, the value of a diamond is also largely determined by the colour of the stone. Colourless stones are highly valuable because of their beauty and rarity. The less colour they have, the more precious they are. Since our moissanites are lab-made, we are able to control the colour of our stones to a large extent. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades diamonds on a scale from D (colourless) to Z (yellow). At Éclat by Oui, all our lab-made moissanites are Gemological Research Association (GRA) certified, and have a stunning colourless appearance, falling under the top grade of D Colour.
GIA Colour Scale
Diamonds also occur in an array of colours such as yellow, pink, blue, green and purple, just to name a few. Coloured diamonds are extremely rare, making up less than 0.1% of naturally mined diamonds. Needless to say, a coloured diamond can cost significantly more than a standard colourless diamond. At Éclat by Oui, we believe that you do not have to compromise on quality even if you are on a budget. We provide lab-coloured moissanites that come in a beautiful assortment of colours including pink, yellow and blue, at a fraction of the price. As with every stone we work with, it is carefully handcrafted and polished to a standard befitting to its quality.
This gives you various options for your fashion statement in the form of moissanite rings, bands, earrings, ear studs, bracelets, bangles, and necklaces.
2. Durability and density
A real carbon diamond, it goes without saying, is extremely durable. They are famously known as the hardest naturally occurring material in the world, holding a perfect ranking of 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Although not as hard, Éclat by Oui’s moissanites offers an extremely close match with a ranking of 9.5. They are one of the hardest gemstones available, making it highly resistant to scratching and is an excellent jewelry choice for everyday wear. However, as with all fine jewellery, regular cleaning, maintenance and care can prolong the life of your jewellery. Éclat by Oui provides care guides and lifetime polishing services to help our customers refresh their stones and keep them sparkling.
Density is an important quality to evaluate as diamonds are sold by the carat (weight of the stone).
As the carat increases, the value of the diamond exponentially increases. This is due to the rarity of large diamonds. A very small percentage of mined stones are large enough to be made into a 1 carat diamond, let alone a 3 carat one. Since our stones are man-made, our customers will not experience the same surge in price when going up in carat sizes.
How do our moissanites differ in their density to real diamonds?
Moissanite has a slightly lower density than natural diamond, which means that a moissanite gemstone will weigh less than a diamond of the same physical size. For example, a round moissanite and a round diamond measuring the same diameter will have a different actual carat weight, even though they appear similar in size.
As carat is a measurement of weight rather than physical dimensions, comparing moissanite and diamond purely by carat weight can therefore be misleading. A moissanite weighing one carat will typically appear larger than a one-carat diamond. Unless a recipient’s heart is set on a specific diamond size, this may not be the most important criteria when choosing a diamond.
That is why, for easier reference when choosing your jewellery, we use the term "carat-equivalent" sizing to describe our moissanites. This refers to the approximate size and dimensions of a diamond of the corresponding carat weight, allowing you to more easily visualise how the gemstone will look when worn.
Bottom line is to know thy heart. If you love to wear jewelry as an everyday fashion statement, moissanites are your best friend. You can easily build up your own collection of jewelry with our guilt-free prices. Choose from our extensive range of cuts, carat-equivalent sizes, colours and setting styles. If you travel frequently, moissanites are strongly advisable as they are worry-free and you don’t have to be troubled by the thought of having your expensive diamonds being lost or stolen.
At Éclat by Oui, each moissanite is made to resemble the colour and clarity of a flawless natural diamond. Every stone is meticulously cut and polished to showcase the brilliance of naturally mined diamonds. With proper care and regular cleaning, our moissanites will hold their sparkle for an extensively long time. We are passionately dedicated to producing the most luxurious moissanites in the market.
View our latest range of moissanites jewellery.
