Poor man's Diamond. Why so cheap?

This video goes into detail why the once expensive poor man's Diamond 'Moissanite' has become so inexpensive. Also, a look into the world of how I facet this gem.
• How To Cut Gemstones -...

[@daleclark3138]

My first moisannite was a one 6.5mm round cut I bought in 2005 for US $200. Bought some cheap green hue stones from India in 2018 but sizes and weights were not standard. Really great in 2024 to buy nice clear relatively colorless 6.5 mm, 8mm and larger for $12.50 to $80 from Chinese sources. Even found a 9mm 3.5 carat cushion cut for $55. Only less expensive stones of interest now are lab grown ruby, sapphire and pink sapphire. No good reason to use CZ with these mohs 9 to 9.25 stones being so affordable today. Good video. Good info

[@ninawernick6501]

I am delighted that the cost is coming down - moissanite is so very beautiful, and it's just nice to be able to have beautiful things.

[@VintageTimeGems]

It's a very good alternative to diamond due to its hardness. Not as hard as Diamond, but still harder and brighter than Sapphire.

[@roden70]

It's a beautiful stone. I have a princess cut one which I'm going to set in a ring. The sparkle is incredible!

[@polymathica]

I absolutely love moissanite! Both the sparkle and the price. I can have my big ol’ dream ring in moissanite at the same price as another woman’s teeny-tiny 1 carat diamond. Middle class opulence! And yes, it’s not quite as scratch resistant as diamond, but it’s less susceptible to chips from impacts. And I love all the colors and double rainbows that moissanite fires out. I am literally plotting to sell all my diamond jewelry to replace them with moissanite and invest the difference in stocks.

[@kaynefryday6637]

Such a lovely thing to say

[@Regurgitatingnineoclocknews]

I have 2 diamond princess cut moosenite if any one wants to buy them

[@MacTX]

I remember when Moissanite was an exclusive product of Charles & Colvard here in the US decades ago. They held patents on the production and no one else could offer it so they controlled the market price. $2,500 USD per carat for slightly colored (faint yellow) Moissanite was the going rate. They were still much more affordable compared to natural diamonds, but no where near what they cost today. Today, you could get better quality near colorless for less than $100.

[@VintageTimeGems]

True. Makes you wonder in 20 years time what will man made diamond will be worth.

[@roden70]

​@@VintageTimeGems What do you think will happen to the price?

[@thatsawesome2060]

I am waiting lab diamond becoming as cheap as this, because basically the base material it's just carbon I don't see why the price not going down when China start mass manufacturing it.

[@roden70]

@@thatsawesome2060 It probably will get a lot cheaper. And lab made diamonds are ethically a good choice (no blood diamomds).

[@raphaelmorgan2307]

@@roden70 yup. I've seen some people be like "no I want *real diamonds*" and that confuses me so much. why pay more specifically to have slaves forced to mine your diamond? I purposefully got a lab made diamond for my spouse's engagement ring and I still would have if I could have afforded the mined ones.

[@seymourpro6097]

In the mining and minerals industry an XRF tester can easily check the elements present in a sample. It's possible to hire them and you may find one locally to you that the owner will use for you to do a test of elemental composition. Biggest advantage is that it's a non destructive test.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Great tip..I believe XRF testers are very expensive. A specific gravity test kit would do the job also. Cheers Cliff

[@dinalou8827]

A qualified gem expert can tell if its moissanite with a loupe. Very different from natural diamonds and other stimulants

[@jenniferfox301]

That is a beautifully cut gemstone, be it natural or man-made. Polished to perfection, any inclusions just make it prettier, to me. UK 🇬🇧

[@jeffholmes1362]

Nice to see another video from you Cliff, and a fascinating video it was. Really well done

[@VintageTimeGems]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@lewisgraham4235]

Brilliant result Cliff. This reminds me of a champagne diamond. The scintillation you have achieved here is remarkable.

[@johnh8615]

Nice . Another video from my favourite gem cutter. Thank you Cliff.👍

[@VintageTimeGems]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@patpierce4854]

I’ve tried to match those GRA numbers to web sites myself, and never seemed to match the right site. I just enjoy the flash and firepower from the inexpensive items I bought; if I’m driving on a cloudy day, when a little bit of sun peeks through the clouds into my car and contact one of those stones, it shoots rainbows through the whole car! Even on a blue sky full sunny day, my natural emerald and two triangular diamonds engagement ring can’t come anywhere near the fireworks from one of those Ali Express moissanites.

[@brianlawson363]

They have actually designed the accompanying "report" to be near identical to the laboratory report issued by The Gemological Institute of America/GIA. As far as I am concerned this is fraudulent. I can't stress enough how important it is for the gem and jewelry buying public to educate themselves to include videos like those you produce to prevent theft and dishonest sales practices. Great job.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Seems to be no international laws to protect companies against China these days. Imagine what China could do to the Diamond industry?

[@eric146999]

Great information thanks for everything appreciate your valuable time

[@jamiecurran3544]

I'm glad I seen this video it was very interesting and I was thinking about purchasing some of these myself for a while now, you've convinced me on the subject thanks!😁✌️ The one you faceted looks amazing also I like the colour n think imperfections in the stone add character!🤩👍

[@VintageTimeGems]

I saw a nice tennis chain that was Moissanite and that was cheap also. I suspect man made diamonds mass produced has to be the next best thing or maybe there is another synth gem that is about to hit the market that is harder than Moissanite and looks as good as a Diamond. Moissanite is the same as Cubic Zirconia it's dirt cheap!

[@markcumbriauk]

I loved watching you cut the stone, very interesting how its done.

[@honeyebby]

You did an awesome with making your moissanite. Makes me want to check out chocolate diamonds. I remember when everyone was crazy over those

[@unity2BC]

Great to watch that moissanite cut ,like the colour of stone also .

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@tonywild1963]

Great to see you again cliff, this was a very interesting video and I always wanted to know the difference and are gems fake when they are at a low price. Hope you make some more videos soon.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Glad you enjoyed it Tony.

[@pkgoldopalhunting]

Great info mate thats how it goes now days, some times not worth the time buying rough and cutting it when you can but cut stones cheaper and just set them into rings etc

[@VintageTimeGems]

There is no point faceting rough moissanite when these gems are cheaper. The Chinese just mass produce and are happy to sell high volumes at low prices. Pretty much there business model for the last 50 years.

[@pkgoldopalhunting]

@@VintageTimeGems true mate

[@williamaycock579]

It would seem since they’re so cheap it might be worth it to do destructive testing to definitively prove it’s not coated. Chop one of the cheap ones in half and test it in the middle.

[@roden70]

Beautiful stone and cut. It's always a little miracle to see a stone blob made into a beautiful gem. How long did the whole process take?

[@tony56234]

Very good video mate Very helpful

[@michaelt.9372]

I live near meteor crater and it’s impressive how close the meteor came to hitting the visitor center without actually hitting it.

[@SimonSozzi7258]

You're stupid 😂✌(that's how we say You're Funny in NYC)

[@adelfomarrero8723]

Nice work sir,just beautiful. Thank for your video.l am a buyer of moissinite stones from china.

[@GwynneDear]

I have an antique cut diamond, the real deal, and I was told by a reputable jeweler that he couldn’t sell it. Thanks moissanite!

[@dinalou8827]

Moissanite is doubly refractive which is apparent when observing the pavilion facets through the table facet with a 10x loupe. If its not doubly refractive then its more likely to be cz or another synthetic material. This phenoma is clearly visible in the faceted brownish material at the end of the video.

[@user-hm6bn6kw6k]

1This is very interesting. Thanks!

[@Ciceroinvencoeseartes]

Excelente trabalho amigo 👍❤️👍👏👏👏👏👏

I also bought a few "moissanites" from aliexpress few months ago, indeed very cheap. I have no equipment to check if it's actually moissanite or not but I was a bit disappointed about the supposed higher dispersion that it should have compared to diamond. I will try the scratch test with synthetic ruby

[@VintageTimeGems]

I found the scintillation very much like diamond. Very happy with the product.

@@VintageTimeGems Thing is I never had the chance to compare to an actual 2 ct diamond ahah

[@roundpenguin3072]

I also bought some super cheap ones. I tested them and they are genuine, but dimensionally they did not fit perfectly. I didn't look to see if the GRA fit, but a few fellow buyers wrote in their reviews that they weren't even marked. In the end, I have quite nice stainless steel jewelry from them for everyday use.

[@emmanuels6765]

Nice video, how did you get into cutting jewelery/gems? And creating it from scratches, I'd like to learn seems fascinating to me and creative., thanks.

[@Jacquestherock...houndrookie]

A very informative video... Thank You. Did you also check the clarity, cut grade, culet and polish for accuracy?

[@VintageTimeGems]

Yes I did

[@ToniRyanNJ]

Great video! Curious, did all those outer envelopes have the same grammatical error as the first one that you showed ("it's" instead of "its" before "eternal flame")?

[@Rikaishi]

Hi, we loved the video and my mum now wants to buy one of these mossanites for her collection but we expect the chance of getting glass from a random seller is still somewhat high. Can you please reveal which sellers you bought from?

[@VintageTimeGems]

If you watch the video the name of too sellers on Aliexpress are listed.

[@edwins2595]

As a Gemologist and a colored stone faceter what the diamond semi-monopoly has to worry about is man-made diamond not moissanite, cubic zirconia, or any other stimulant. The price of moissanite will continue to drop until the rough becomes available to hobbyists and then it will be sold for pennies per carat rough like cubic zirconia

[@VintageTimeGems]

Yes, it will be interesting if man made diamond will be mass produced and kill off the industry. I agree at some point moissanite will be like Cubic Zirconia will be dirt cheap.

[@EdHunter55]

But if the coating is fooling the gem tester would it not also affect the scratch test? Coatings like these on glass or PVD on steel etc. are getting better by the day and already are very impressive in their scratch resistance

[@barry7608]

Thanks and I have subscribed. I have some nice, personally dug from the ground Zircon's from Gemtree in central Oz. My wife and I spent a day on the field and found a really large stone almost white and some more smaller ones. I arranged to get the large stone cut by the cutter at Gemtree who advised it was such a nice stone it needed to be cut by someone who knew Zircon. Well its a beautiful stone which I had set in 18ct gold with nice Italian chain. My question, do you cut Zircon as I'm keen to have the remainder cut. If not are you able to advise a suitable gem cutter? I live on the Central Coast of NSW but am happy to post if you can help.

[@VintageTimeGems]

I facet for enjoyment and as a hobby. I would contact your local gem club and ask if they have a gem cutter to facet for you. Thanks for the sub. Cheers Cliff

[@barry7608]

@@VintageTimeGems good oh thanks I'll shop around.

[@denisemarle4141]

Thank You Cliff... another Aussie here and this is just the info. I was looking for as I'm about to purchase a 9mmx9mm, collet set moissanite pendant. The old mine cushion cut is hard to find and more expensive, it was the same on the websites you showed. I'm going for moissanite as they are beautiful, I was given a gift of a Charles & Colvard channel set gold ring some years ago, almost the same as one I purchased in Hong Kong with diamonds back in the 1980's. They are good diamonds and you cannot tell the difference between the stones. I would never buy diamonds again, for anyone that's not sure, I can say moissanites are the way to go, just make sure of the seller and read reviews! I intended to buy a stone and have it made here, as I have gold from rings that no longer fit.. it was still too expensive. 🦘

[@VintageTimeGems]

You can't go wrong with Moissanite. It looks great, and hard wearing and has the diamond like qualities.

[@paulcooper8818]

Hi Cliff, Wouldn't a specific gravity test be able to distinguish Moissanite from coated glass?

[@VintageTimeGems]

Yep, but you can tell the difference by weight in the hand.

[@MikeG-js1jt]

I think currently the rough is more than the cut...unless you know a proper source for the rough?

[@StudioLB]

What piano music is that playing at the end? TIA

[@on5samsung72]

It tirn out Eddie is the actual scammer, lol.

[@DanMaker]

despite the flaws, I really like the color.

[@kimholcomb6943]

The only certificate that is real is GIA. I got my certification from GIA Gemological Institute of America as a professional jeweler

[@VintageTimeGems]

I agree. The GRA certificates are a bit of a novelty. Although, for a cheap gem the manufacturers/seller give out bang for buck. When moissanite was super expensive a certificate would be a good idea. Imagine what the Chinese will do when synth diamonds are mass produced.

[@kimholcomb6943]

@@VintageTimeGems I actually bought a couple of moisinite diamond rings I used my moisinite tester and it passed. However there are moisinite diamonds that are pretty expensive. The process for making moisinite has vastly improved. If you want to make sure that your diamond is ethically clean, this is the way to go. Today's real diamonds carry a certification number to show that it is ethically clean.

[@javierrodriguez2863]

Bull, they monopolise the market

[@okthen4820]

thanks for the good video

[@VintageTimeGems]

You're welcome

[@20melon20]

Are you keeping that as a keepsake ❤

[@Lilredridinghood555]

Actually I am not seeing going down in the USA. I need a 3 carat and lowest I can find is $1100 it’s too much

[@luapynneb3069]

The problem is if or when they start cloning GIA certified stones, then there's nothing stopping a person buying a GIA certified stone in the USA, and have a China seller clone it for you! then sell the clone back to the USA seller keeping the original or selling it at a later date.

[@Anthropologist316]

I hv lots of collections of this stone

[@vincenthazelaar8679]

How do you judge the cutting quality of these chinese stones? Compared to for instance diamonds.

[@VintageTimeGems]

In my opinion they get a 7-8 out of 10 for cutting. The meet points need to be better, but the polish is good.

[@vincenthazelaar8679]

@@VintageTimeGems wow quite good especially for the price. Thanks.

[@consciencewhisperer6976]

All of mine turned yellow over time

[@DoobyDubNCG]

nice video! i didnt know there was natural Moissanite in nature!

[@VintageTimeGems]

Yes it can be found in nature. Most likely worth more than natural diamond as it's so rare.

[@keza3250]

ONE QUESTION CLIFF,is it man made mossanite or real mossanite/real mossanite is found in Australia an Sri Lanka, The dog with chains was gold ha ha

[@VintageTimeGems]

It was found originally in a crater in the USA in Arizona in 1893 by Noble Prize winning French scientist Henri Moissan.

[@keza3250]

@@VintageTimeGems never knew that,ya learn something every day ha ha thanks mate was just curious, its gotta be man made if from china for sure

[@TonysGemDesignswithGCS]

Great Video! Are you going to cut that Moissanite I gave you?

[@VintageTimeGems]

Yep...When I get more time.

[@TonysGemDesignswithGCS]

@@VintageTimeGems Yeah, I know how that goes.

[@VintageTimeGems]

@@TonysGemDesignswithGCS Been getting the motorbike license which I got several weeks ago. Work and family are taking up time. I want to facet a few more eye designs this year if possible.

[@TonysGemDesignswithGCS]

@@VintageTimeGems Trying to cut more myself. And get to the QLD gem fields, 3/4 way there at moment. I will have a eye like design for you in a while is not mine.

[@matthewhuszarik4173]

If it is a fake diamond who cares if it is a real fake or another fake? As long as it looks good, lasts a reasonable length of time, and is cheap.

[@planethopper335]

The point Eddy was making was that the stones were glass and coated with moissanite

[@VintageTimeGems]

Did you actually watch the video?

[@planethopper335]

@@VintageTimeGems yes if they were glass and coated with something harder. A more convincing test would have been to use a diamond grit polish to remove, the, if any coating. I thought the stones were moissanite.

[@janneliimatainen6186]

@@planethopper335 if they were glass inside, every individual glass piece would need to be faceted to precise size before coating.. (you can´t make a bulk piece of coated glass..when you start cutting and faceting glass comes every time to surface in some areas!). and after coating they need to cut and faceted again.. I think this as a process would be more costly and time consuming than cutting and faceting a bulk piece of true moissanite.

[@starthompson3557]

Better diamond test them to make sure they are real cuhz thats funky

[@alldayeveryday6464]

Noo this guy is coming N

[@LAMEBOY88]

Eddie himself orders a lot from alibaba.

[@kaynefryday6637]

So what’s really going on is that the only person ripping people off is Eddie , sounds like he’s been ripping people off and he’s just having a cry cause he lost his cash cow 😂

[@davidariamirroarkyoung]

Harlem Bling is absolutely overpriced and there is countless videos where he just doesn't know or more likely is flat out lying.

[@VintageTimeGems]

I'd imagine the cost to run a business in the US would be massive, so you would have to charge more. I believe Eddie gets his necklaces made in Italy and the stones come from China. Not sure about the tennis chains though. They are really coming down in price.

[@davidariamirroarkyoung]

@@VintageTimeGems they are almost all made in China and yes the costs of equipment rough and schooling training is outrageous I live in a area of California that is similar prices to NYC the smallest studio apt in not the best neighborhood starts at $1,200.00 a month plus utilities to rent a room is starting $900.00 a month plus utilities. To buy a three bedroom house that isn't dilapidated just in ok condition in any neighborhoods in area starts at $400,000.00 and up to a few millions I am literally talking about the cheapest area to average not higher end middle class for areas and lower within a hour range. So it is outrageous prices and I don't expect to go to any restaurant with wife and kids and have bill with tip less then $100.00 usually higher McDonald's or burger king is usually at least $60.00 minimum and there is signs in many restaurants windows that says dishwasher wanted full time $20 hour no experience needed. But honestly if you're single it is extremely hard and almost impossible without government assistance or housing someone making $20.00 a hour full time could live on thier own here it is a very sad truth the wages are dramatically below the costs of living. I'm lucky and blessed and know that my family is. We have our bills covered me and lif partner are retired and live comfortably and I play with rocks crystals and minerals all day because I love it. My son's are grown but still in college and love having them home since going to both be professors and work full time to pay their transportation tuition and such.

[@TheTillmanSneakerReview]

I love it when scammers get angry when they lose money. Paying $800 for fake stone is absurd.

[@DoNotEatPoo]

How are sub millimeter gemstones faceted?

[@VintageTimeGems]

With small dops and good magnification.

[@user-kb2rl8ke6r]

Очень важный фильм! Жаль что нет перевода на русский язык,видно кому то это не выгодно.Конечно это национальным мошенникам !

[@Utube1024]

Moissanite has more fire than diamond.

[@StudioLB]

*E-slaps Eddie*

[@fannywayne1920]

Eddie lies anyone who knows jewelry knows this

[@RalfStephan]

You haven't refuted the claim that they are glass coated with Moissanite, I admit such coating would not be possible cheap but still.

[@VintageTimeGems]

The Zircon would have scratched through the coating unless it was coated with something harder which I doubt. Glass also has a specific weight and it just doesn't weigh the same as glass in the hand. Glass doesn't refract light at the angles these gems were cut at either. It's Moissanite....

[@szymonjastrzebski2909]

​@@VintageTimeGems I kinda agree and kinda don't. I think that definitive test would be to cut the gem via diamond abrasives and testing the freshly revealed surface with diamond tester and scratch test. But the refraction would indeed be significantly different as there'd be refraction going from air to coating, from coating to glass, from glass to coating and from coating to glass

[@szymonjastrzebski2909]

​@@VintageTimeGems I kinda agree and kinda don't. I think that definitive test would be to cut the gem via diamond abrasives and testing the freshly revealed surface with diamond tester and scratch test. But the refraction would indeed be significantly different as there'd be refraction going from air to coating, from coating to glass, from glass to coating and from coating to glass

[@europadmoon]

I think of moissanite as the working woman's diamond... Beautiful and affordable.

[@eric146999]

Sub today thank you