A new gem-like product has recently appeared on eBay that claims to be a “crystal carbon” replacement for diamond/moissonite.
http://stores.ebay.com/Crystal-Carbon-Laboratories?_trksid=p2047675.l2563
Note that it does NOT say CZ and that when inquiries have been sent to the seller asking as to whether it might BE CZ, the reply:
“NO. CZ is composed of zircon only. Crystal carbon laboratories comprise of 8 elements and the outcome is a more brilliant stone compared to CZ and much more durable (harder). It will never scratch or change color.”
And in the reply above the seller does NOT deny there is CZ or zircon in this product.
Another red flag is their use of the term “investment quality.” In my opinion, this is virtually ALWAYS a tip-off that it’s a rip-off. As I explain to clients all the time, just ask yourself “if I were to sell this stone today, how liquid is it for me? How many gem buyers do I have in my ‘little black book?'” The answer is “none” and even if you had a hundred, any gem dealer would tell that it’s still no guarantee of liquidity. Even a good stone my lay in a gem-dealer’s wallet for months or years before it is sold.
The maker also claims this diamond imitation (note, NOT a diamond) is:
“The closest diamond substitute ever created by Crystal Carbon Laboratories.
Characteristics that on the surface seem just as beneficial as having a real
diamond without the expense. While the process that created the Crystal
Carbon lab created stone remains under wraps, the benefits that this lab
grown stone are well documented.”
Preliminary surmise on the part of this appraiser: in my opinion, this is most likely a CZ with diamond coating or a CZ with some sufficiently carbonized stabilizer to make the above claims. Stabilizers are used to get zirconium dioxide to form in the cubic rather than monoclinic system. Either way, caveat emptor !
