You’re officially in love…with an extraordinary engagement ring that you spotted for your favorite person. The center stone is moissanite, but it looks exactly like a diamond! AND the price is just right. Is this gem too good to be true? Let’s find out! We’re here to give you a crash course in moissanite, so you can become a smart ring shopper.
What is Moissanite?
First, a bit of background. Moissanite is considered a diamond alternative, since both gems have similar qualities. They’re durable, versatile and, of course, sparkly. When moissanite was discovered, the crystal pieces were too small to form gemstones. So, scientists developed a thermal growing process to produce them in a laboratory. By the 1990s, jewelry company Charles & Colvard turned moissanite into gemstone quality and became the premier creators of the gem. Now, it’s a popular choice for engagement rings!
Pros and Cons of Moissanite
But is moissanite right for you and your partner? Hint: Think about their lifestyle and fashion sense. Each gem has its share of benefits and drawbacks, so let’s dig a bit deeper.
Pros
● Durability: Moissanite is made from the rare mineral silicon carbide, a combination of silicon and carbon. That means it’s a very durable gem and resistant to scratching. In fact, moissanite scores a 9.25 out of 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale — a scale that ranks the durability of diamonds, gemstones and other minerals. Diamonds are the only stones that surpass moissanite in strength.
● Romantic History: Do you count your lucky stars that you found your better half? If so, you’ll want to hear this. Moissanite is actually known as the gemstone born from the stars! That’s because the first silicon carbide crystals were found in an Arizona meteorite crater nearly 130 years ago.
● Affordability: These stones are lighter and typically cost 70% less than natural diamonds! So, you can choose a bigger gem for a lower price and save a few bucks. Tip: Unlike diamonds, moissanite weight isn’t indicated in carats. Instead, it will often be labeled as “diamond equivalent weight” (aka DEW).
● Diamond Look-Alike: As you already know, moissanites and diamonds are similar, especially when it comes to appearance. They look so similar that Dr. Henri Moissan, the Nobel Prize-winning chemist who first came across silicon carbide crystals, thought they were diamonds. No one will be able to tell that you spent less on your stone!
● Extra Sparkle: With higher ratings for fire dispersion and brilliance, this gem truly shines. For reference, moissanites range between 2.65 and 2.69 on the brilliance refractive index and receive a rating of 0.104 for fire dispersion. Diamonds only score a 2.42 on the refractive index and 0.044 for fire dispersion. What does all of that mean? To put it simply, moissanites reflect light better than diamonds and display more colored sparkle.
● Eco-Friendly: If your partner cares about the environment, you’ll be happy to know that moissanites’ laboratory creation process causes less damage to nearby land and natural resources.
● Clarity: The procedure also results in fewer visible imperfections. So, nearly flawless moissanites are readily available at reasonable prices. And since these stones contain silicon, they don’t dull or attract dirt as much as other gems.
Cons
● Color: At times, you might catch unwanted yellow, gray or green flashes in some moissanite stones, especially larger ones. Check your gem under different types of lighting, so there are no surprises after you make your purchase!
● Diamond Look-Alike: It might be fun to impress your friends with a stone that rivals a diamond, but shop wisely. Some sellers might try to mislabel moissanites as diamonds and raise prices. When you’re ready to buy, make sure to choose a reliable jeweler, like Gage Diamonds, where a trusted representative can answer your questions.
● Prestige and Value: Although moissanite is becoming increasingly popular, it doesn’t have the longstanding, elegant reputation of a diamond. According to The Knot 2021 Jewelry & Engagement Study, 86% of couples still selected a diamond for their center stone, making it the standard symbol of love. Moissanite is also less valuable, so it’s not a great option if you’re interested in passing your ring along to future generations.
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Gage Diamonds is Chicago's premier jewelry showroom and online retailer of engagement rings, wedding bands, and fine jewelry. We offer a selection of dazzling Gage Select and Charles & Colvard moissanite rings.
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