Simulated diamonds, also known as diamond simulants or diamond imitations, are objects or materials that have gemological characteristics similar to those of a diamond, but are visually and compositionally different from diamonds. Simulants are distinct from synthetic diamonds, which are actual diamonds exhibiting the same material properties as natural diamonds. Simulants may be artificial, natural, or a combination thereof. While their material properties differ from those of diamonds, simulants have certain desired characteristics, such as dispersion and hardness, which lend themselves to imitation.

Simulants are created to look like natural diamonds, including brilliance and sparkle, but are composed of different materials. Their chemical makeup is completely different from that of lab-created diamonds or Earth-mined diamonds. Common materials used to create simulant diamonds include cubic zirconia (CZ) and moissanite.

Simulated diamonds are available for purchase at a much lower price than natural diamonds because they dont share the same chemical and physical properties as the real thing. In addition, naturally occurring gemstones that look like a diamond may also be classified as a diamond alternative, although they’re not diamond simulants since they aren’t trying to appear like diamonds.

Simulated diamonds are a great alternative for someone looking to enjoy the glitter and glam of diamond-like jewelry without the hefty price tag. However, its important to note that simulated diamonds are not the same as lab-created diamonds, which are created by using a tiny carbon diamond seed and arranging carbon atoms around it, and they are pure carbon, just like a natural diamond.