ManMadeLabDiamonds — Diamonds or Simulants?

There is always a misunderstanding between 'diamond simulants' and 'man made diamonds'. With this, some companies only obfuscate the situation instead of clarifying it. So when we come across new names of companies offering diamond jewelry, we believe it is our duty to make it clear are those diamonds real or not.

For the start, let's remind what man made diamonds are. You will find many names for man made diamonds: synthetic, lab grown, created and cultured diamonds. 

Though different, all of them characterize real diamonds created synthetically in the laboratory conditions. Notion of synthetic diamonds usually refers to diamonds aimed for industrial needs while the rest are normally associated with diamonds of jewelry quality. So, synthetic diamonds are 100% diamonds with a wide range of properties inherent to this solid stone. These diamonds shouldn't be mixed with diamond simulants, which only visually resemble diamonds when first seen. They are usually cubic zirconia or moissanite accurately treated to acquire diamond-like 'make-up'. Now let's get to ManMadeLabDiamonds.

Even though the name makes a customer think of real diamonds, as well as their high price looks persuasive, but the truth is that jewelry offered by ManMadeLabDiamonds is artificial. Though the gems are supposed to be of superior quality, they are simulants but not real diamonds. The company offers you to save money on diamond engagement ring but will that ring stand a test of time and last as long as your marriage?

When opting for man made diamonds, you will find they come with the certificate (on demand) confirming the diamond you have is real. This document is given by one of the world-known gemological institutions such as GIA, EGL or AGS. While buying artificial jewelry you get nothing but for a jewel.

So, be caution when buying 'man made' diamonds, not all of them are real diamonds and be it your first question to clarify are the jewelry you want to buy real or not.

Smile With Diamonds

There is a good old technique a man uses to show he is interested in a woman: wink of an eye. In some cases it works of course, but it can't be called a 100% win-win method what most of men expect it to be. Now if an Indian man wants to win a girl over, he gives her a glimpse of his diamond... teeth.

India is one of the largest exporters of diamonds in the world and diamond gems are in favor there. Even though the greater part of the population is poor, there is nothing to prevent rich ones from buying diamonds or from capping them in teeth (don't mix it with diamond grills) . According to Dr Vivek Saggar, dental jewelry is very popular among youth now and being an orthodontist he has a range of patients who inquire about dental jewelry procedures. Actually, this trend for 'diamonds in teeth' started seven or eight years ago but at that time it could be only one person per month who was interested in capping a gem in his/her tooth. Now the number of them is growing very fast with about 10% increase almost every year.

Who are they?

These are mostly young ladies in their twenties and thirties who do want to shine a diamond glimpse. Guys want to be the eye-catchers as well, but the ration of males vs females is 3 to 7, with girls wining!

Where do they put diamonds?

As far as this is the gem to be shown off, it should be in plain sight so the choice of a tooth is evident: this is either an upper canine or lateral incisor.

What gems do they opt for?

They are diamonds but in fact synthetic ones! Similar to natural diamonds they possess that brilliance needed to jazz up any smile. The choice of a color depends on the personal preferences. White diamonds are more popular compared to colored but some fashion-mongers prefer green, pink and red gems. These are mostly round cut diamonds, but star-shaped also seem trendy.

To sum up, if you want to add some zest to your smile choose a diamond as a win-win option.

Diamonds and Platinum on the Red Carpet 2012: Primetime Emmy Awards

The Red Carpet has always been a grandiose event, when the whole world is thrilled with the expectations to get to know who is the best lead actor, lead actress, guest actors, director, etc. But not only that, this is always a huge party flashy with luxury gowns, eye-catchy high heels, bizarre accessories and fine jewelry. Speaking about the latter this is platinum that is again

loved by celebs today.

Hollywood's stars as if all of them were in collusion celebrated this big event wearing platinum. The choice is absolutely decent. This is the precious metal that never changes its color or fades over time. Couple it with diamonds and you will get an everlasting jewelry that can be handed down to many generations.

Platinum is a beneficial setting for diamonds of any color: while it enhance the brilliance of colorless stones it also underlines the beauty of colored ones. Now it's clear why such mega stars like Sofia Vergara, Padma Lakshmi, Christina Hendricks, Tina Fey and others were radiant with drop earrings, cuffs bracelets and rings. Male stars such as Jon Hamm and James Van Der Beek didn't yield the ladies in terms of exquisite style and dazzled platinum and diamond cufflinks.

Chopard and Bvlgari are definitely an old-school brands that stood the test of time and rivalry, but these were Neil Lane, Lorraine Schwartz and Fred Leighton who ruled the Red Carpet. The most exotic jewelry (Neil Lane) were worn by Padma Lakshmi who chose platinum pendant earrings from the 1920's with coral, onix and diamonds, and platinum coctail ring from the same period featuring diamond and onix. Starling Sophia Vergara opted for the largest pieces offered by Neil Lane, this is a set of platinum and diamond earrings (45 carats), cuff bracelets (110 carats) and a ring with two center diamonds (20 carats).

The Idea of Created Diamonds

Are diamonds beautiful? No doubt they are! Everybody will surely agree with this fact. But is the hole in the Earth several kilometers in diameter beautiful, or swirl of dust raised by giant truck wheels, or hectares of cut forests, or polluted rivers? Do they look great? Till recently it was impossible to comprehend the beauty of a diamond gem without making such harm to nature.

Probably the main idea of created diamonds is to be eco-friendly. Scientists and engineers spent years to study the nature of diamonds to find the possibility to recreate them synthetically. Supported by eco-conscious people and the department of environmental control they managed to reach success and found the way to grow diamonds in the laboratory. HPHT is already a known abbreviation that refers to high pressure high temperature technology. Judging from the name you may guess that diamonds are grown under intense pressure and high heat - in simulated conditions that are equal to natural. A grain of natural diamond and a handful of graphite put into a chamber under certain conditions turn into 100% real eco-friendly diamond.

Created diamonds are real ones with the same properties as mined diamonds have: optical, physical and chemical. They look like mined diamonds, they have the same diamond lattice structure and bands and they hardly be distinguished from mined ones. Lab grown diamonds are solid, wearproof, tough, fadeless, endurable and of course possess that stunning luster and brilliance diamonds are loved for. But what they are really praised for is their origin. Being grown by man created diamonds do not imply digging, thus make no harm to nature - no more air and water pollution, no more soil erosion, no more damage to rare species of flora and fauna. Currently created diamonds are number one choice for followers of green movement and the rest eco-conscious people.

To conclude, there is a possibility to comprehend brilliance and beauty of real diamond without causing damage to nature. Don't be indifferent to environment we live in and make a right choice when buying diamond jewelry.

Your darling has presented you diamond jewelry. What this may mean?

If you are presented diamond jewelry there can be three (at least three main) reasons for that:

1. Your darling wants to show how much he loves you.

Well, diamonds are considered to be the best and most precious present. They are valued for their unique properties not a single stone possesses yet: longevity and hardness. Probably, majority of girls are prone to make parallel between diamonds and feelings of the person, who presents diamonds: solid gemstone - solid feelings. Diamonds are a kind of symbol of everlasting and intense love. This is one of the reason they are set in engagement and wedding rings. So, if your darling has chosen diamonds among the rest of jewelry most likely he wanted to express his tender yet intense feelings to you.

2. OR probably he wants to redeem his fault. 
For this purpose diamonds suit just perfect. These bright, sparkling and extremely beautiful gemstones can easily melt even the frozen heart. To be sure this method of atonement works, your darling will probably choose the diamond of fancy color, like yellow or greenish. However, it will cost him a real fortune if speaking about natural diamonds, but it will surely impress you! (by its price also, hope your darling knows about cultured diamonds to give you a perfect and fancy present).

Moreover, diamonds are not the stones to be bought so often due to high price for them. They are usually bought for special events like anniversary or wedding. Thus, whatever the fault the diamonds ideally suits to redeem it.

3. Your darling wants to make "investments". 

Probably, he thinks you will make him an expensive present in return, like Rolex watch or exclusive leather wallet from collection of Alexander McQueen. Or he is rather practical and has chosen diamonds to invest money in them as the price for them is only rising, so in future they are going to cost let's say twice expensive than at the moment they have been purchased.

Anyway, wish your darling loves you and the only reason he presents you diamonds is his sincere feeling to you!

And what do you think could be other reasons?

Images in this post are the courtesy of it's respective owners: Frode Inge Helland, 1978