A
diamond simulant,
diamond imitation or
imitation diamond is an object or material with
gemological characteristics similar to those of a
diamond. Simulants are distinct from
synthetic diamond, which is actual diamond having the same
material properties as natural diamond.
Enhanced diamonds are also excluded from this definition. A diamond simulant may be artificial, natural, or in some cases a combination thereof. While their material properties depart markedly from those of diamond, simulants have certain desired characteristics—such as
dispersion and
hardness—which lend themselves to imitation. Trained gemologists with appropriate equipment are able to distinguish natural and synthetic diamonds from all diamond simulants, primarily by visual inspection.