Do Synthetic Diamonds Cloud Up?

by Stacey

Do the synthetic diamonds eventually "cloud up" even after being cleaned like CZ do after a few years? I hear that there are fine cracks in the surface and oils get in and it is almost impossible to remove it, which in turn, causes that "cloudy appearance."

Thank you for your answer and information.

Stacey

Hi Stacey,

Synthetic diamonds will not cloud with time. Synthetic diamonds have the exact same physical and chemical properties as real diamonds - they are real diamonds, the only difference is that they are produced in a lab instead of in nature.

Just as natural diamonds never cloud, nor will synthetic diamonds.

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The tendency for CZ to take on a cloudy appearance is mostly due to the hardness of the stone. At a hardness rating of 8.5, CZ will eventually accumulate scratches plus it may absorb oils. Also, if the back of the CZ stone becomes dirty under the setting it can lose a good amount of its luster and shine.

Synthetic diamonds, at a hardness rating of 10.0, will not accumulate scratches like cubic zirconia. Natural diamonds, and synthetic diamonds, can become a bit duller in appearance if they are dirty - or if the backing of the setting has become dirty or oily - but a professional clean and polish will brighten them right up to their original shine.

Concerning the fine cracks, here is one area where natural diamonds are different than synthetic diamonds.

Diamonds in nature can occur with severe, moderate or minimal inclusions or blemishes; the higher clarity grade natural diamonds have minimal blemishes or inclusions and only in extremely rare instances do diamonds form in nature without these imperfections. Flawless natural diamonds are exceedingly rare.

Synthetic diamonds which are grown in the lab often have only very minimal inclusions and blemishes. These slight imperfections are similar to what you would find in top grade natural diamonds - they are not visible, and they will not cause a cloudy appearance or lower the durability of the stone.

Because these slight imperfections do occur in synthetic diamonds - just as in natural diamonds - most synthetic diamond manufacturers offer a GIA or IGI certification grade report with their diamonds which includes a grade on the diamonds' clarity, cut, color and polish.

In fact, to make sure you are really purchasing a real synthetic diamond and not a diamond simulant, it is best to select only certified synthetic diamonds - ideally with a certification from the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) or the IGI (International Gemological Institute).

As with real diamonds, with synthetic diamonds for jewelry purposes you'll want to stick with these grade parameters for premium diamonds: