The material that is similar in look to the diamond is known as diamond simulant. At present it plays an important role in the diamond simulant industry.
The diamond simulant has the same characteristics of a real diamond. With the diamond simulant or the manufactured diamond, the simulant can be made of artificial material. It can be a natural or it can be combination with both. The diamond simulant is different from the synthetic diamond and the major difference is the material properties. In the case of a synthetic diamond, the properties are same as the natural diamond. The diamond simulant has dispersion and hardness properties like natural diamonds and their properties help in imitation. The differences in a diamond simulant and in synthetic diamond can be found by diamond professionals only.
The common simulants that are used in the manufacturing of a diamond are the leaded glass and the cubic zirconia. Leaded glass is also known as Rhinestones. The other materials that are used rarely in manufacturing diamond simulant are strontium titanate and the synthetic retile. But today, the moissanite plays an important role in manufacturing of a diamond stimulant even though it is costly when compared to leaded glass and the cubic zirconia.
The following properties must be possessed by the diamond simulant to have a great look and fine craftsmanship.
• The diamond simulant should look like a natural diamond.
• The diamond simulant properties should be similar to a diamond.
• The diamond simulant should cater for non-destructive testing otherwise the fine finishing will not be achieved.
• It should match the durability and the density test as per the standard laid down process.
• There should not be any scratches on the diamond simulant, other wise it will be distinct from the natural diamond.
• The diamond simulant should be hard in nature comparing to other gems.
• The manufactured diamond should have crisp and sharp edges to provide a sparkling look.
• They should be flawless and should cater for fine polishing.
• The diamond simulant should pass the window panel test.
• The specific gravity of the manufactured diamond should be around 3.5, so that it resembles the natural diamond.
• The diamond simulant should be of same weight with that of real diamond.
• The diamond simulant should match the optics and color properties with that of the natural diamond.
Artificial simulants
Nowadays the simulants of the diamonds are carried in large masses to cater the needs of the diamond simulant industry. Due the improvements in various technologies it has become very easy to manufacture diamond simulants and these simulants look more original than the natural diamonds.
At present there are two distinct methods to manufacture the diamond simulant. One of the method is the high pressure and high temperature and commonly known as HPHT method. In this method, two presses are used to maintain the constant temperature and pressure. The two presses are the belt press and the cubic press. This is one of the cheapest methods to manufacture a diamond simulant.
The second method that is used is the chemical vapor deposition, which is also called as CVD method. In this the energy used to create plasma in which the gases are broken down to form the diamond on the top and the diamond simulant is provided with fine shapes and is cut into required sizes.