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Diamonds can last forever, but they don't compare to moissanite engagement rings. More and more people are choosing these wedding ensemble alternatives because of the unique look and beauty of the stone.
What is moissanite?
Before the fight begins, let's introduce our rivals in detail. And the first gem we're going to review is moissanite.
Some people romantically call moissanite "Space Diamond" or "Stardust". Although this name sounds quite pathetic, it has rational reasons. In fact, moissanite has a cosmic origin - the gem is usually found in the craters of a fallen meteorite. Due to its unique chemical makeup, it is impossible to confuse moissanite with other stones. Precisely, this jewel is made of a rare combination of silicon carbide.
Another interesting fact about moissanite is its name. Henri Moissan was the first to find it, which is why the stone bears his name. Its remarkable discovery came in 1893 during an expedition to a meteor crater in Arizona. It took him nine years to figure out that the crystals found were not diamonds, but samples of moissanite.
While natural moissanite (which comes from real meteorites) is quite rare, scientists have successfully reproduced it to create a durable gemstone that is versatile enough to eclipse fine jewelry pieces on the market.
What Is Diamond?
You don't need to give a long diamond presentation speech. We all know that they are girls' best friends and are a symbol of undying love and serious marriage intentions. And of course, everyone knows diamonds are forever.
In fact, the creation of this gemstone is on the verge of eternity. Specifically, it takes hundreds of years for carbon to turn into diamonds at high temperatures and pressure. Unlike the spatial origin of moissanite, this gem is mined from the ground and then carefully cut to perfection. To be considered a good deal, diamonds must pass lab tests with good marks on several parameters, including clarity, cut and color dimensions. These requirements leave only the best samples in the diamond business. They also add value to these gemstones once they are eligible for sale.
Also, it's not just natural diamonds in the jewelry market these days. Recently, lab-grown diamond rings and earrings have appeared. These gemstones go through the same stages of formation, but in a controlled laboratory environment and much faster. However, the popularity and quality of this jewelry are far from the real alternative to natural diamonds.
Difference between moissanite and diamonds
The main discrepancies between moissanite and diamonds are the fire and hardness of the two gemstones. Moissanite outperforms diamonds in terms of stronger fire, while diamonds outperform moissanite in durability. And while the hardness is largely minor, the fire difference is mostly intuitive - some people like the fire-colored moissanite while others prefer the clean brilliance of diamonds.
Diamonds may be number one in the engagement ring world, but they are definitely not the only gemstone option on the market. If you want something a little different, there are plenty of options, including stones that look a lot like diamonds, like moissanite.
The strongest fire of moissanite is the main thing that visually distinguishes it from diamonds. However, you really need to know what to look for if you want to tell the difference between a moissanite fire and a diamond fire. After all, some diamonds also have a very powerful fire.
So if you are unsure, it is usually best to seek professional advice. Any true jeweler should be able to distinguish moissanite from a diamond at 10x magnification. Additionally, like lab-grown diamonds, moissanite stones have a small lab ID number underneath to identify the origin of the stone.
"Moissanite is a naturally occurring mineral called silicon carbide, which occurs very rarely and is not large enough in nature to be cut into a single carat gemstone." For this reason, moissanite used in fine jewelry is made in the lab - unlike diamonds, which occur naturally.
Price: Perhaps the biggest advantage of moissanite over diamonds is its price, as moissanite Diamond is considerably less expensive than a diamond. "A moissanite gemstone costs about a tenth the cost of a mined diamond of the same size and quality." "Moissanite is worth more with a higher carat weight."
Moissanite Diamond is several times cheaper than natural diamonds and is roughly comparable to lab-grown diamonds. The reason why the lower cost of moissanite is the same as that of lab-grown diamonds - they are much easier to grow and refine than the long, tedious, and cost-effective process of mining and refining natural diamonds.
For this reason, moissanite Diamond is generally mentioned alongside lab-grown diamonds as an affordable alternative to natural diamonds. It has most of the same qualities as diamonds, it has no major drawbacks, and it is much cheaper.
Color : Moissanite and diamonds can be colorless or have a certain color. “Moissanite traditionally has a yellowish or greenish tint. However, manufacturers have perfected the manufacturing process over time and now you can get high-quality colorless moissanite. "
Cut: Both gemstones are available in different cuts including round, oval, pear, cushion, square, princess, marquise, emerald, stripe, and Asscher shapes. Moissanite turns out to be quite old-fashioned here - some diamond cutters don't use certain shapes yet, but they still appear in some moissanite collections.
The similarities between a diamond and moissanite increase the popularity of selected cuts. Most moissanite stones and diamonds are round in shape. In this cut, the two gemstones display their sparkle, appear completely colorless, and fit perfectly into any jewelry design.
Additionally, moissanite is beneficial as an ethical gem that you can wear every day. At the same time, it may seem artificial to an admirer of high-end jewelry. You also don't have a strong cultural background to be part of an engagement ring. She may even get mad that you decided to save for her! So think twice and ask them before you make that decision.