💎 Comparison of Natural, Synthetic, and High-Quality Crystal Gemstones
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To understand the differences, it is useful to divide stones into three broad categories based on their origin and composition.
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Category |
Example |
Composition |
Hardness (Mohs Scale) |
|
Precious & Semi-precious Stones |
Diamond, Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, Aquamarine, Topaz, Natural Zircon |
Natural Minerals |
(6.5 - 10.0) |
|
Synthetic Stones |
Cubic Zirconia (CZ) or Synthetic Zircon |
Chemical Compounds Created in the Laboratory |
(8.0 – 8.5) |
|
High Quality Crystals |
Swarovski Crystals, Primero Crystals |
Highly refined glass with lead oxide |
(about 7.0) |
1. Precious and Semi-precious Stones (Natural)
These are naturally occurring gems. The distinction "precious/semiprecious" is historical and less relevant today, but the four traditional precious stones are diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald.
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Characteristics |
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Hardness (Mohs Scale) |
Diamond is the hardest substance known (10 out of 10). Ruby/Sapphire are 9 out of 10. Emerald/Aquamarine/Topaz range between 7.5 and 8. Natural zircon is between 6.5 and 7.5 . |
|
Diamond Brilliance/Reflection |
Excellent/Highest. Brilliance (the reflected white light) and dispersion (the "fire" or flashes of color) are intrinsic to the optical properties of the mineral. Diamond has the highest dispersion and refractive index of any natural gemstone, resulting in maximum sparkle . |
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Diamond Brilliance |
Glazed/Adamantine. The surface is very smooth and reflective, especially after cutting and polishing. |
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Diamond Value |
Determined by Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat (the 4 Cs). It is the highest and most durable value. |
2. Synthetic Stones (Laboratory)
They are created in a laboratory, but have the same chemical composition and crystalline structure as their natural counterparts (for example: a synthetic sapphire is chemically identical to a natural sapphire).
Specific Case: Cubic Zirconia (CZ)
Cubic Zirconia is a diamond simulant, not a synthetic diamond (which is something else entirely).
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Characteristics |
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Hardness (Mohs Scale) |
About 8.0 - 8.5. It is scratch resistant enough for jewelry, but much lower than Diamond. |
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Brilliance/Reflection |
Very Good, but Too Much "Fire." The CZ has a higher dispersion (fire) index than diamond. This results in very intense, almost rainbow-like flashes of color , which, while beautiful, make it easily distinguishable from a diamond. |
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Brightness |
Very good. |
|
Main Difference |
It is denser than diamond (for the same size, the CZ weighs more) and is not able to maintain its brilliance like a diamond over time, tending to tarnish more easily due to oil and use. |
3. High Quality Crystals (Lead Glass)
These products are glass worked and cut with extreme precision . The references to Swarovski and Primero are the best known examples.
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Characteristics |
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Composition |
High-quality glass enriched with lead oxide . The high lead content (up to 32%) increases the glass's refractive index, improving its ability to reflect light. |
|
Hardness (Mohs Scale) |
About 7.0 |
|
Brilliance/Reflection |
Excellent, given the composition. The exceptional brilliance comes not from hardness or crystalline structure (as in gems), but from the precision of the cut (the art of shaping glass into perfect facets) and its chemical composition. Light is "trapped" and reflected very effectively. |
|
Brightness |
Excellent, very glassy (typical of polished glass). |
|
Value |
Value is given by the brand, the precision of the cut and the finishing, not by the intrinsic value of the material. |
Summary Table: Hardness, Gloss and Wear
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Typology |
Hardness (Mohs) |
Main Source of Brilliance |
Wear Resistance |
|
Diamond |
10 |
Intrinsic Refractive Index and Dispersion (Focus) |
Maximum |
|
Sapphire/Ruby |
9 |
Intrinsic Refractive Index |
Very High |
|
Natural Zircon |
6.5 – 7.5 |
Intrinsic Refractive Index |
Medium High |
|
Cubic Zirconia (CZ) |
8.0 - 8.5 |
High Dispersion (too much "Focus") |
High, but tends to dull over time |
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Swarovski Crystals and Primero |
7.0 |
High Lead Content and Precision Cut |
Medium High |
In short, high-quality crystals offer exceptional brilliance at a low cost, but require more care due to their medium hardness.