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