Diamond Stand-Ins

While diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, they often don’t fit a girl’s budget. Luckily there are several lower cost alternatives with lots of sparkle.
​
Lab-grown diamonds are as the name implies made in a lab rather than made by Mother Nature. They are grown in highly controlled laboratory environments using advanced technological processes that duplicate the conditions under which diamonds naturally develop when they form in the mantle, beneath the Earth’s crust. Lab-grown diamonds have the same physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds.

Crustal Cube Necklace

Diamond simulants are man-made stones which simulate the look of natural diamonds. The most well-known of these are cubic zirconia (CZ), Moissanite, and crystal.
​

• CZ is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2). This synthesized material is hard and usually colorless but may be made in a variety of different colors. It has a close visual likeness to diamond.
• Moissanite is the synthetic form of silicon carbide. It has some optical properties, i.e., sparkle, that exceed those of diamonds.
• ​Crystal is glass that is precision cut and highly polished. Daniel Swarovski’s vision was to “create a diamond for everyone.” Swarovski crystals and Preciosa crystals do just that. Unfortunately, Swarovski no longer makes crystal beads. However, Preciosa, located in the Bohemian region of the Czech Republic, manufactures sparkly crystals that I use in my jewelry.

Natural gemstones, many of which are naturally colorless or clear, are made by Mother Nature. Their natural beauty makes them a great stand-in for diamonds.

• Rock crystal quartz is the colorless version of quartz and is considered the ideal of quartz. It is thought to unlock memories.
• Zircon is a natural stone with fire and brilliance that rivals even diamonds. It is a gem of purity and innocence
• White Topaz is a natural stone with the clarity and hardness of a diamond. It is believed to promote openness and honesty.

Amethyst & White Topaz Necklace

​Regardless of your budget you can always add a bit of sparkle to your life.