Diamonds, often referred to as ‘girls’ best friends’ are mesmerizingly beautiful but very expensive. And this makes them out of bounds for the majority of people.
Therefore jewelry trade folks started looking out for diamond substitute gemstones that look like diamonds but are much affordable.
In this tell all guide, we will share 8 best diamond alternatives that mimic diamonds in some form or the other. We will also share the best alternative on each of diamond’s characteristics so that you can make your decision based on your preferences.
About Diamonds
Diamonds are highly prized and cherished gems worldwide due to their exceptional physical properties. People also value them for their deep symbolic meaning, often representing lasting love and commitment, making them a popular choice for engagement rings.
In terms of their makeup, diamonds are made up of carbon atoms arranged in a special way in a crystal structure. This unique arrangement gives diamonds their remarkable hardness and transparency. These gems usually form deep within the Earth under extreme heat and pressure, taking billions of years to develop. Sometimes, volcanic eruptions bring diamonds closer to the Earth’s surface, where they can be found and mined.
Throughout history, diamonds have held a special place in human cultures and beliefs. Ancient civilizations believed in the mystical and healing powers of diamonds. According to Sanskrit manuscripts, diamonds have been mined for thousands of years in India, along the Krishna River. Over time, the demand for diamonds grew, and their trade expanded to regions like the Middle East and Europe. By the 18th century, diamond mining had spread to Brazil, significantly increasing the global supply of these precious gems.
Today, most diamonds come from a few key regions, including Russia, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Canada, and Australia.
What Makes Diamonds Unique?
Here are some revered qualities of diamonds that make them so unique and sought after.
- Hardness and Durability: Diamonds are the hardest natural material known to humanity. They score a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Along with their hardness, diamonds are incredibly durable. They can withstand high temperatures and are resistant to chemical corrosion.
- Brilliance: Diamonds are renowned for their exceptional brilliance and fire. Brilliance refers to the white light reflection, while fire relates to the colorful flashes of light that diamonds emit when exposed to light. These optical properties result from the diamond’s ability to refract and disperse light, creating a stunning play of colors.
- Rarity: Natural diamonds are incredibly rare. The mining process for natural diamonds is labor-intensive and requires the extraction of tons of ore to find just a few gem-quality diamonds, making them a finite and highly sought-after resource.
- Transparency and Clarity: Diamonds are known for their exceptional transparency and clarity. When cut and polished, they can be almost entirely free from impurities, allowing light to pass through unobstructed and enhancing their sparkle.
Price: Diamond prices per carat can vary significantly depending on the 4Cs (carat weight, cut, color, and clarity). On average, for a good quality round brilliant-cut diamond with color in the near-colorless range (G-H) and clarity in the VS2-SI1 range, you could expect to pay anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000 per carat or even more for larger stones or those with higher grades.
The Best Diamond Alternatives
The best alternative to a diamond depends on your preferences and priorities. But here’s our take.
Best Affordable Alternative: Zircon and Cubic Zirconia
Zircon and Cubic Zirconia are both excellent choices when affordability is the primary consideration.
Zircon, a naturally occurring gemstone, and Cubic Zirconia, a lab-created diamond simulant, share this top spot for their wallet-friendly prices. Zircon, often found in various colors, can offer an attractive alternative with a range of hues. On the other hand, Cubic Zirconia, known for its colorless appearance, closely mimics the brilliance of a diamond without the high cost.
However, in our opinion, these stones are suited for trending jewelry but not for timeless jewelry like engagement rings.
Diamond Substitute With The Best Brilliance: Moissanite
When it comes to brilliance and sparkle, moissanite takes center stage. Its refractive index surpasses that of diamonds, resulting in a gemstone that radiates exceptional fire and brilliance.
Whether set in an engagement ring or other jewelry, moissanite’s unmatched brilliance ensures it captures attention and admiration. If you prioritize a gemstone that truly competes with the finest diamonds in terms of sparkle, moissanite is for you.
Best Ethical: Lab-Grown Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds are leading the way when it comes to ethics. They are made in special facilities, which helps the environment by reducing the harm caused by traditional diamond mining.
These diamonds have the same physical qualities as natural ones, like being hard and sparkling beautifully, but they’re sourced in an ethical and sustainable way.
Best Overall: Moissanite and Lab-Grown Diamonds
If you want an all-round best alternative to natural diamonds, we suggest you go for either moissanite or lab-grown diamonds.
Moissanite is incredibly sparkly, even more than diamonds, and it’s not too expensive. Lab-grown diamonds are made in a clean and eco-friendly way, so they’re really ethical. They’re just as strong and shiny as natural diamonds.
Both these gems match natural diamonds in terms of hardness and brilliance. So, they are suited for not only your regular jewelry but also engagement rings. Depending on whether you want sparkle, care about doing the right thing, or want to save money, going for both moissanite and lab-grown diamonds gives you a good choice.
Diamond Substitutes: Details About Stones That Look Like Diamonds But are Cheaper
Moissanite
Moissanite offers an excellent choice for individuals seeking a reliable and affordable substitute for a diamond. Moissanite was first discovered by the French scientist Henri Moissan in a meteorite crater in Arizona. Initially, Moissan mistook it for a diamond due to its dazzling appearance. However, further analysis revealed that it was an entirely different gemstone.
Natural moissanite is quite rare in nature, but it is now available as a lab-created gemstone. This quality makes it an environmentally sustainable and ethically sourced option, aligning well with the growing conscientiousness towards jewelry sourcing.
Key characteristics and advantages of Moissanite include:
Hardness and Durability: With a hardness of 9.25 on the Mohs scale, Moissanite ranks just slightly lower than diamond’s perfect 10. This means it is highly resistant to scratching, making it suitable for everyday wear in jewelry.
Brilliance: Moissanite exhibits exceptional brilliance and fire. Its refractive index is higher than that of diamond, which means it has a greater ability to bend and reflect light, resulting in impressive sparkle and brilliance.
Transparency: High-quality moissanite is transparent and clear, with minimal to no visible inclusions or imperfections. Each time you clean your Moissanite, it will be as clear as a diamond.
Affordability: One of the most significant advantages of moissanite is its affordability compared to natural diamonds. Moissanite typically costs significantly less per carat than diamonds of similar size and quality. You could find high-quality moissanite for anywhere from $300 to $800 per carat.
Lab Grown Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds, also known as synthetic or cultured diamonds, have emerged as a remarkable and sustainable alternative to natural diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds possess the same chemical composition as natural diamonds, consisting of carbon atoms arranged in a crystal lattice structure. These diamonds are created through advanced technological processes that mimic the conditions under which diamonds form deep within the Earth’s mantle.
Lab-grown diamonds have a lower environmental footprint compared to natural diamond mining. They are also considered an ethical choice as they eliminate the concerns associated with traditional diamond mining
Key characteristics of lab-grown diamonds include:
Hardness and Durability: Lab-grown diamonds are just as hard and durable as their natural counterparts, ranking a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.
Brilliance: Lab-grown diamonds exhibit the exceptional brilliance, fire, and scintillation for which diamonds are renowned. Their optical properties are virtually identical to those of natural diamonds.
Transparency and Clarity: Lab-grown diamonds are known for their outstanding transparency and clarity. When expertly cut and polished, they can be almost entirely free from impurities, allowing light to pass through unobstructed and enhancing their sparkle.
Price: Lab-grown diamonds offer a significant cost advantage compared to natural diamonds. On average, lab-grown diamonds can be up to 40-60% more affordable than their natural counterparts.
White Sapphire
White sapphire offers an appealing option for individuals seeking an alternative to traditional diamonds, combining beauty and affordability. Unlike moissanite, which was discovered relatively recently, white sapphire has a long history as a gemstone.
White sapphires are essentially colorless sapphires, and they have been cherished for their sparkling clarity for centuries. They share the same mineral composition as colored sapphires and rubies, which is corundum, making them a durable and resilient choice for jewelry.
Key characteristics of white sapphire include:
- Hardness and Durability: White sapphires are one of the hardest gemstones, scoring a 9 on the Mohs scale, and are comparable to diamonds in terms of hardness. This exceptional hardness ensures resistance to scratches and abrasions, making them suitable for everyday wear.
- Brilliance: White sapphires exhibit a brilliant sparkle due to their high refractive index. They can disperse light effectively, resulting in flashes of color and fire. However they aren’t as brilliant as natural diamonds. And this difference becomes even more prominent when a large size white sapphire is used in the jewelry.
- Transparency: High-quality white sapphires are prized for their transparency and clarity. They are typically free from visible inclusions or blemishes. However, it is important to note that sapphires can exhibit a cloudy or milky appearance, so it’s advisable to opt for a top-tier “AAA” gemstone for superior clarity and brilliance.
- Affordability: White sapphires are more affordable than diamonds. The price per carat for white sapphires can vary widely depending on size and quality. Still, they are generally more budget-friendly as compared to the high diamond price tag.
Cubic Zirconia (CZ)
Cubic Zirconia (CZ) represents a compelling option for individuals seeking an economical and visually appealing substitute for diamonds. CZ is entirely lab-created and is crafted through a specialized process.
CZ was first developed in the 1970s as a diamond simulant due to its remarkable optical properties. It possesses a strikingly similar appearance to diamonds, and its affordability has made it a popular choice in the world of jewelry.
Here are some key attributes related to Cubic Zirconia:
Hardness and Durability: CZ ranks at 8 to 8.5 on the Mohs scale. While CZ is relatively hard and suitable for use in jewelry, it is not as durable as natural diamonds, moissanite, or some other gemstones.
Brilliance: Cubic Zirconia boasts a remarkable level of brilliance and sparkle that make it look like diamonds.
Transparency: High-quality Cubic Zirconia is transparent and clear, with minimal to no visible inclusions or imperfections.
Price: Cubic Zirconia is renowned for its affordability, often costing a fraction of the price of natural diamonds or even moissanite. The cost of CZ can vary depending on factors like size, quality, and craftsmanship, but it is generally very budget-friendly.
Zircon
Zircon is renowned as one of the world’s oldest known gemstones and a notable diamond simulant. It is found in various locations globally, including the United States, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Burma. However, zircon comes in a diverse array of colors, with colorless zircon being particularly sought after as a diamond substitute.
Despite sharing a similar name with Cubic Zirconia, they are distinct gemstones with different properties.
Here are some key attributes related to Zircon:
Hardness and Durability: Zircon registers a 7.5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. While this places it above many other gemstones in terms of durability, it is still more susceptible to scratching compared to diamonds. Therefore, it may not be the ideal choice for everyday wear, especially in engagement rings.
Brilliance: Zircon shines beautifully and reflects light in a captivating way. While it may not sparkle as much as diamonds, it still has a wonderful glow.
Transparency: White zircon typically exhibits good transparency, with high-quality stones appearing clear and free from visible inclusions or imperfections.
However, it is important to note that, unlike diamonds, zircon exhibits double refraction, also known as birefringence. This phenomenon occurs when a single ray of light in the crystal is bent, slowed, and split into two, leading to the captivating rainbow light effect.
While this effect adds to its beauty, it can occasionally make zircon appear slightly fuzzy, particularly in certain lighting conditions.
Affordability: Zircon is generally affordable, especially in smaller sizes, making it accessible to a wide range of budgets. Prices for zircon can range from approximately $45 to $400 per carat. However, larger stones may command higher prices.
White Topaz
White Topaz offers another appealing option for individuals seeking an alternative to traditional diamonds, combining beauty and affordability.
Due to its clear appearance, White Topaz was not very popular in history like other colored gemstones. It wasn’t until more recent times that colorless or white topaz was more accurately identified and distinguished from other gemstones. It gained popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries as a more affordable alternative to diamonds.
Key characteristics of white topaz include:
Hardness and Durability: White topaz is a relatively hard gemstone, scoring an 8 on the Mohs scale. While still durable, it might need a bit more care to keep it looking its best and avoid any small scratches that could happen over time.
Brilliance: White topaz exhibits a decent level of brilliance and sparkle, although it may not match the brilliance of a well-cut diamond. Its refractive index is lower than that of moissanite and diamond, resulting in a slightly different play of light. However, it still offers an attractive, diamond-like appearance.
Transparency: High-quality white topaz is prized for its transparency and clarity. When cut and polished, it can be nearly free from impurities, allowing light to pass through unobstructed and enhancing its sparkle.
Affordability: White topaz is more affordable than diamonds. The price per carat for white topaz can vary widely depending on size and quality, but it is generally more budget-friendly, making it an attractive option for those looking for an elegant gemstone without the high diamond price tag.
Goshenite Beryl
Goshenite, a variety of beryl, stands as a unique and lesser-known alternative to traditional diamonds. Goshenite was once considered a possible diamond simulant but gradually lost that status with the rise of lab-grown diamonds in the market.
Unlike its more famous beryl counterparts, such as emerald, aquamarine, and morganite, which showcase vibrant green, light blue, and pink hues, goshenite is recognized for its clear and colorless appearance.
If you want a low-maintenance gemstone that looks like a diamond, goshenite might not be the best choice. But if you like its unique qualities and are willing to take good care of it, it can be a lovely and more affordable alternative to diamonds.
Here are some key attributes related to Goshenite:
Hardness and Durability: Goshenite is relatively hard, scoring 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. While not as hard as diamonds, it is durable enough for use in jewelry, making it suitable for various settings.
Brilliance: While Goshenite does have sparkle, it’s important to know that it doesn’t shine as brilliantly as diamonds do. It’s a bit less sparkly because of its lower ability to bend and reflect light.
Transparency: Goshenite is generally transparent but over time, the stone may develop a cloudy appearance. It’s important to note that goshenite demands more care and maintenance compared to diamonds. To maintain its luster, it requires regular cleaning with soap and water after each wear.
Price: Goshenite is generally more affordable than natural diamonds. The price per carat for goshenite can vary based on size, quality, and other factors. On average, you can expect to find goshenite priced in the range of $50 to $200 per carat, making it a cost-effective choice
White Spinel
White spinel is composed of magnesium aluminum oxide with the chemical formula MgAl₂O₄. Its pure form is colorless, and it has a crystal structure that contributes to its brilliance and transparency, making it a popular alternative to diamonds for jewelry.
White spinel has been valued for its beauty and brilliance since ancient times. It was used in jewelry by civilizations such as the Egyptians and Romans. Notably, the “Black Prince’s Ruby,” a red spinel, holds a place of honor in the British Imperial State Crown.
Key characteristics of white spinel include:
Hardness and Durability: White spinel is relatively hard, registering 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. This places it on par with many other popular gemstones used in jewelry. While it may not be as hard as diamonds, it is still durable enough for everyday wear.
Brilliance: White spinel exhibits a striking brilliance due to its high refractive index. It can disperse light effectively, resulting in flashes of color and fire reminiscent of diamonds.
Transparency: White spinel is celebrated for its remarkable transparency and pure, colorless appearance. It can closely resemble the icy brilliance of diamonds when properly cut and polished.
Price: White spinel is generally more affordable than natural diamonds. Prices per carat can vary based on size, quality, and the specific source, but they often fall within the range of $100 to $500 per carat.
Are Swarovski Stones Diamonds?
Swarovski stones, also known as Swarovski crystals, should not be confused with diamonds. These crystals, crafted by Swarovski AG, an Austrian company renowned for its precision-cut glass crystals, are distinct from diamonds in several key ways.
While Swarovski crystals are celebrated for their remarkable clarity, brilliance, and sparkle, they are fundamentally made from glass. Swarovski crystals, though durable, are not as hard and can be more susceptible to scratching than diamonds.
As a result, Swarovski crystals offer an accessible and visually appealing alternative to diamonds.
Final Word
Choosing the right (and perfect) diamond alternative will depend a lot on your personal preference. If you are attracted to diamond’s brilliance and hardness, then Moissanite and lab grown diamonds are the right choices. However, if you don’t want a lab grown gemstone and are interested in natural stone, then our recommendation will be white sapphire.
If you want the cheapest substitute for diamond, then we will recommend going for cubic zirconia.
