| The terms "synthetic" and "simulated" are | | | | |
| confused in the minds of most folks. | | | | "Metals." Platinum is an excellent choice for |
| Synthetic means a "REAL" diamond material but | | | | a ring but keep in mind that platinum will |
| manmade. Simulated means a material that | | | | not keep a shine like white gold will. |
| looks pretty much like a diamond but is made | | | | Platinum is durable, hypoallergenic, holds |
| from something else. A "synthetic" diamond is | | | | stones well and all that. Platinum is much |
| actually diamond but is manmade in the deep | | | | more expensive than gold. Still, expect |
| secrets of the laboratory. The "simulated" | | | | platinum do develop a dullish look after |
| diamond is either a CZ, a Moissanite or other | | | | wearing a while. The other metal might be |
| simuilant. | | | | Palladium, another metal in the platinum |
| | | | family. |
| So far to date, the moissanite is the best, | | | | |
| even if color might be a bit off. Moissanite | | | | Palladium is a decent metal but many jewelers |
| is a very durable stimulant for diamonds. The | | | | cannot work it properly and very, very little |
| only drawback is the particular stone, since | | | | choice is on the market in palladium. We have |
| some may show a greenish tint. I suggest you | | | | "No" palladium rings in our business. |
| ask to see more than one stone and compare | | | | Palladium is mostly used to add to gold to |
| the color for the whitest (least colored) | | | | make a form of white gold. Now, a white gold |
| moissanite. | | | | made with palladium is an excellent metal |
| | | | choice. |
| Moissanite is a diamond like clear form of a | | | | |
| substance you are likely familiar with: | | | | You will have to go to a knowledgeable |
| Silicon Carbide. Think of wet/dry sandpaper. | | | | jeweler to find someone who knows the |
| That is silicon carbide, a very hard and | | | | difference.This is what I mean: White gold is |
| durable material. When science was able to | | | | made by taking pure gold which is yellow, |
| consistently manufacture clear crystals of | | | | adding other metals to make it a "karat" |
| silicon carbide, the gemstone "Moissanite" | | | | gold, like 14k or 18k.(Pure is 24k and too |
| was born, named after the original discoverer | | | | soft for jewelry.) Sometimes metals is added |
| from many years ago and before marketable | | | | to change the color of the karat gold. For |
| crystals were producible. | | | | instance, more copper makes rose gold. More |
| | | | nicklel makes white gold. In recent years, |
| This material is harder than most gemstones, | | | | more manufacturers are using palladium |
| not bothered by the heat used in jewelry work | | | | instead of nickel since some people are |
| (meaning if prongs holding the stone need | | | | allergic to nickel or have a sensitivity to |
| work in the future, the stone may be left in | | | | the metal. |
| place for the work to be done). The stone is | | | | |
| bright, durable, wonderful to the eye. The | | | | Those people cannot wear white gold made |
| only distraction is the "sometimes" slightly | | | | white with nickel. So, we have palladium |
| off-color. That is why I suggest asking a | | | | white gold which is a slightly different |
| jeweler to have more than one stone for you | | | | white than nickel white gold but looks great |
| to select from. Do this with unmounted | | | | and has no skin sensitivity problems. Some |
| stones. Remember, carat is a weight and not a | | | | newer nickel metal mixes of gold meet higher |
| dimension! | | | | standards and have no "sensitivity" issues |
| | | | either. |
| Moissanite and diamond do not weight the same | | | | |
| and a carat of one is not the same size as a | | | | I suggest asking for white gold(if platinum |
| carat of the other. Simply ask for a | | | | is out of the budget) and finding out if it |
| "diamond, carat, and size" when getting the | | | | is palladium white or nickel white. Ask if |
| stones to view. Most jewelers will do this | | | | the nickel white meets the new 'European |
| automatically since they understand the size | | | | standards' and is hypoallergenic. If the lady |
| the customer wants is relative to the sizes | | | | is use to white gold and has no problems |
| of diamonds. | | | | with, regular nickel white gold should work |
| | | | fine. Just keep it out of anything with |
| I believe a good look at some loose stones | | | | chlorine, like swimming pools, bleaches, hot |
| and a mounting selected and they you will be | | | | tubs, etc. Chlorine works real danger on |
| on your way, happy with the stone. These | | | | white gold made with nickel. |
| stones beat CZ is all aspects except the | | | | |
| sometimes "tint" of color. CZ must be | | | | The wedding ring goes closest to the heart. |
| perfectly clean to really look diamond-like | | | | In other words, put on the wedding ring |
| but the high refraction and characteristics | | | | first, then the engagement ring. In ancient |
| of Moissanite keep it looking diamond like | | | | times, it was believed that there was a vein |
| even when soiled somewhat. | | | | that went directly from your ring finger on |
| | | | the left hand to the heart. That's where the |
| Still, make an effort to keep all gemstones | | | | symbolism of wearing the wedding ring on that |
| clean! All looks better that way and regular | | | | finger started. The ring is not the most |
| cleaning is the best way to check for wear | | | | important thing. The love you two share is |
| and loose stones. Many jewelers will clean | | | | and that's what you need to focus on instead. |
| your item for free. Most should do that, I | | | | I know he could be a little more generous |
| believe. Moissanite is an excellent choice. | | | | with the price, but if that's his decision, |
| But, be sure to see the stone first and pick | | | | go ahead and settle with it or make a |
| the whitest(most color free) stone. | | | | compromise. |