A Simulated Diamond Is NOT A Created Diamond!

I got an email from someone I NEVER heard of before--some random Etsy jewelry seller.  He was accusatory and threatening, and I have NO idea what his problem was---he didn't really say!  But by simply looking at his shop, I could only guess that apparently he read my blog post about created diamonds v. simulated diamonds, and felt I was unfairly attacking him or something.  (Guilty much?)

To this seller---and for anyone who is reading this blog---here are the FTC rules regarding this very issue.  I didn't make it up!!  This isn't my opinion!!  I'm not writing "nasty" things about anyone---just the FACTS regarding compliance with the FTC!!   There are rules that are enforced in the jewelry industry to protect consumers from fraud!  I've put the text regarding "created" stones in bold:

§23.23   Misuse of the words “ruby,” “sapphire,” “emerald,” “topaz,” “stone,” “birthstone,” “gemstone,” etc.

(a) It is unfair or deceptive to use the unqualified words “ruby,” “sapphire,” “emerald,” “topaz,” or the name of any other precious or semi-precious stone to describe any product that is not in fact a natural stone of the type described.
(b) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word “ruby,” “sapphire,” “emerald,” “topaz,” or the name of any other precious or semi-precious stone, or the word “stone,” “birthstone,” “gemstone,” or similar term to describe a laboratory-grown, laboratory-created, [manufacturer name]-created, synthetic, imitation, or simulated stone, unless such word or name is immediately preceded with equal conspicuousness by the word “laboratory-grown,” “laboratory-created,” “[manufacturer name]-created,” “synthetic,” or by the word “imitation” or “simulated,” so as to disclose clearly the nature of the product and the fact it is not a natural gemstone.

Note to paragraph (h): The use of the word “faux” to describe a laboratory-created or imitation stone is not an adequate disclosure that the stone is not natural.

(c) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word “laboratory-grown,” “laboratory-created,” “[manufacturer name]-created,” or “synthetic” with the name of any natural stone to describe any industry product unless such industry product has essentially the same optical, physical, and chemical properties as the stone named.

So, again, per §23.23(c) of the FTC Rules:  it is deceptive to call a gemstone (like a diamond) "created" or "laboratory created" UNLESS it has the same physical, chemical and optical properties as the natural gemstone. 

So a CREATED DIAMOND is a diamond that is laboratory created, also known as a synthetic diamond, and there are only a handful of labs that are capable of creating gem-quality diamonds.   Created Diamonds are very expensive (about the same cost per carat as natural diamonds) and for a long time, were only created in canary yellow colors.  Colorless created diamonds are produced now, but only in smaller sizes---about .60-cts is the largest clear created diamond available today. Larger sizes of created diamonds in colors can be found (canary, pink).   Created Diamonds are micro-engraved (seen with a high powered loupe) indicating that they are created.  This is done so a created diamond is never confused with a natural "mined" diamond--and there is no other way to tell them apart, since any test would confirm this "created" diamond to be in fact a diamond.  Created or Synthetic gemstones are lab-created stones that don't just look like the gemstone--they have the same physical and chemical properties as well.

A SIMULATED diamond or other gemstone is just that---a stone that LOOKS LIKE a diamond or gemstone.  The most diamond-like SIMULATED stone is a Cubic Zirconia.  A CZ is grown in a lab, which would make this a lab-created CZ simulated diamond (NOT created diamond). The CZ industry has come a LONG way since it was first producing CZs, and now they rival the finest diamonds in appearance and WILL NOT cloud or yellow.  In fact there are "grades" of CZ.  These CZ stones are affordable alternatives to diamonds.  Moissanite is another popular Diamond simulant---it is a lab created stone (man-made) and is a lot more expensive than CZ.

There is nothing "wrong" with a CZ simulated diamond!  In fact, as anyone who reads my blog knows, I love them and own them and have even heat-treated them myself.  And any seller, per the FTC RULES, *must* disclose that a stone is a CZ and not a "diamond" or "created diamond". 

But there is EVERYTHING wrong with calling a CZ a "created diamond".  It is NOT.  It is a violation of the FTC to do so.  This isn't my opinion----I'm only INFORMING consumers regarding this.  And sadly, it appears there are plenty of sellers who aren't informed, or choose to thumb their noses at the FTC.

You can find beautiful CZ simulated diamond engagement rings set in solid gold all over the internet or in jewelry stores everywhere, on TV channels like HSN and QVC, and they are BEAUTIFUL.  And they are affordable.  They are, in MY opinion, the BEST diamond-like choice for an engagement or wedding ring (I'm not really a diamond fan, for ethical and other reasons). But reputable places like HSN or QVC or large name jewelry stores (as well as smaller jewelers) will ALWAYS disclose that these are CZ, these are "simulated diamonds" or "diamond simulants" and even give them their own trade names (such as Diamonique or Absolute, which are trademarked Cubic Zirconia stones by QVC and HSN respectively).  Reputable jewelers will always comply with the FTC and disclose the nature of their stones and gemstones, and any treatments to the stones.

You will NEVER find a misleading term like "created diamond" or "synthetic diamond" by any reputable, knowledgeable jeweler, unless it is in fact a 100% carbon diamond, which will be almost as expensive as a "mined" diamond.  NEVER.

By the way....as a senior executive at a major worldwide advertising agency, I worked as the marketing specialist for many companies, including several  high-end jewelery companies in the United States, South America, and Europe, and so I'm VERY familiar with the FTC Rules, consumer information, legalese, and the consequences of such violations.

So if you have any questions, feel free to ask!