Are you looking for something different than a diamond ring? Check out all about moissanite rings, what exactly they are and a comparison to diamonds.
Choosing the perfect engagement ring is one of the most exciting things you can do but paying more than you can afford will tarnish the experience. Known for their exceptional hardness and eye-catching sparkle, is there really any alternative to diamond?
Moissanite rings have taken the jewelry world by storm and, for the first time, an ideal alternative to diamond has arrived. Available in endless designs and settings, the range of moissanite rings is so huge you’ll always be able to find one that speaks to you.
There are many benefits to choosing moissanite over diamond and it’s even better than diamond in some respects. When you propose with a moissanite ring, you won’t be making any compromises and it’ll shine as brightly in twenty years as the day your partner says ‘yes’.
Keep reading to find out what moissanite rings are and how they match up to diamonds.
What Is Moissanite?
Moissanite is made from a naturally occurring substance called silicon carbide. Found in nature in small quantities, it shares many features with diamonds. The French chemist Henri Moissan discovered moissanite back in the late 1800s but it was so rare, the jewelry industry couldn’t use it.
Moissanite is rarely found in nature but when it is, it’s often from meteorites. That’s right, this mineral comes from outer space!
A hundred years after Moissan’s discovery, scientists worked out how to recreate moissanite in laboratory settings in large enough sizes for use in jewelry. From the late 90’s onwards, this fantastic stone has been lighting up the engagement ring world.
Why Moissanite Is the New Diamond
Diamonds might be a girl’s best friend but they’re not wallet or earth-friendly most of the time. Diamonds are rare and mined diamonds come with ethical issues. Before moissanite gained popularity, only lesser gemstones were alternatives to diamonds.
With the hard-wearing nature and brilliance of diamonds, it’s no wonder alternatives never had a good reputation. Until moissanite. This unique gemstone finally gives you the opportunity to get the look and feel of a diamond.
- Hardness Rating
Diamonds aren’t just used in the jewelry world, they’re also used in industrial settings where their hardness is essential. Used to drill and cut other hard materials, diamonds are a 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale for measuring the hardness of minerals.
So how does moissanite compare?
You’d find moissanite at 9.5 on the scale, only fractionally less hard than diamonds. This makes it harder than any other gem used in jewelry, except for diamond.
As the engagement ring you buy will be worn for a lifetime, hardness is important, you won’t want scratches or damage. This is one of the reasons why moissanite is the ideal engagement ring gem to buy.
- Brilliance Rating
Aside from their incredible strength, diamonds are also known for their eye-catching sparkle. Measured by its ‘brilliance’, this rating shows how light refracts through the mineral.
Measured on the Refractive Index, diamond has a score of 2.42. Moissanite actually has a higher brilliance rating than diamond though, at around 2.65. This means that moissanite engagement rings sparkle more brightly than diamonds.
- Ethical
These days, we’re ever more conscious of buying products from ethically-sound, sustainable sources. Diamonds have always had a difficult ethical background due to the way they’re extracted and the labor used. As both the people and the environment can suffer through diamond extraction, better ways to source precious gemstones are vital. Aside from Canadian and lab-grown diamonds, very few are traceable back to their source. While there is some certification for mined diamonds, opting for a different option might be better. Moissanite is lab-created and free from the ethical difficulties that diamonds face.
- Color Choice
As moissanite is lab-created, it’s available in a wide variety of colors. While many people choose a classic colorless gem for their engagement rings, opting for a favorite color can be a great way to make it more personal. Moissanite is colored at the bottom and, thanks to its amazing clarity, the color shines through the entire stone. It won’t suffer from fade and will remain vibrant and beautiful for the rest of your life.
- Affordable and Forever
The cost of getting married these days is high and buying an engagement ring might be intimidating when looking at the price of diamonds. Expensive to mine and manufacture, diamonds are out of the price range of many people. Moissanite rings can be around 90% cheaper than diamonds which is a fantastic saving. Considering they’re almost impossible to tell apart from diamonds and they shine more brightly, they’re a perfect alternative. A moissanite ring will last forever and won’t make a big dent in your wedding budget. You can use that saved money for the wedding and honeymoon of your dreams instead.
- The Best of Both
A popular option for those who love diamonds is to choose a ring that has both. You can buy stunning moissanite rings that are set with small diamonds to have an affordable diamond ring with a central moissanite stone. This works well for those who want to save money and want a unique ring. You can opt for a colored moissanite stone with clear diamonds or choose clear moissanite with diamonds for a classic look.
Beautiful, sparkling, and incredibly hard-wearing, moissanite rings are more popular than ever. Thanks to their affordability, you can choose a much larger moissanite ring for a fraction of the cost of a diamond. With different colors, settings, and styles, finding a moissanite ring that suits your tastes is easy. By choosing this exceptional gemstone, you won’t have to compromise on your budget or the gem size and it’ll make proposing all the more special.