A diamond is forever.
This popular phrase has been honored for centuries by bridegrooms during their engagements. Gifting a beautiful engagement ring from their beloved partner is a convention. From movies to reality, it is practiced extensively and is believed to be symbolic of an everlasting relationship between husband and wife.
But things have changed with time. In the 21st century, people think and search differently. Breaking the old-school conception of conventional rings, grooms are now experimenting with other more robust and unique options that their fiancées will love. If you’re one of those innovative minds seeking an engagement ring, moissanite is the best choice you could make.
Antique Vintage 2.79 TCW Portuguese Cut Unique Moissanite Engagement Ring
What is Moissanite?
Moissanite is a gemstone that was naturally found in a meteor crater in 1893 by Henry Moissan. It is believed to have arrived from another star in the galaxy and is considered extremely rare on earth.
But fortunately, moissanite could be synthetically produced in a lab in the late 1990s. The lab reproduction exactly resembled the natural version and was indistinguishable. It was synthesized under the same conditions that might have produced it naturally. Moissanite is quite popular today as a precious stone, often having the upper hand over diamonds in terms of durability, vibrance, and price.
7 Characteristics of Moissanite Rings
If you’re inclined to opt for an unconventional choice over a diamond in your engagement rings, moissanite is a great alternative. But researching your choice thoroughly is a wise decision before making a purchase. If you’re wondering why to know your/your partner’s gemstone preferences, it’s because that knowledge will help you approach the right sellers, ask the right questions, make the right comparisons, and end up with the right purchase. Here are the seven things you must know about moissanite engagement rings before investing in them. Consider their friendly yet professional tips on picking a white stone.
Durability
Diamond is known to be the hardest substance on earth. It is preferred for its strength, durability, and longevity. But moissanite is no less. It can easily stand against diamonds because of its robust physical properties and unbreakable nature.
Moissanite can withstand very high temperatures, up to 2,000°F. It is used in satellites and bulletproof armor that can safeguard against more than 40 rounds of ammunition or grenade attacks. This shows this sturdy stone strengthens your married relationship over a lifetime.
Brilliance and Vibrance
Diamond is a highly vibrant stone that internally reflects light and gives the viewer a brilliant “fire” when placed under direct light. But moissanite goes over the top.
In the gemstone industry, brilliance is measured using the brilliance refractive index (RI). Diamond has an RI of 2.42 and a fire dispersion of 0.044, while moissanite can show up to a 2.69 RI and typically has a fire dispersion of 0.104.
Cost
Do you know what piece of jewelry is best for a budget-conscious couple? Moissanite rings! If you don’t want to waste your hard-earned money buying expensive rings, moissanite can be your cost-effective choice. Of course, you’re wondering, “How much does the average engagement ring cost?” While diamonds are expensive, costing between $3,000 to $26,000 per carat depending upon cut, color, and clarity, here’s what makes moissanite rings a popular option: the same premium look at an affordable price of $250 to $600. Why is it important to stick to your budget, though? Budgeting for an engagement ring is important because it’s easy to narrow your options and avoid getting carried away by unaffordable items.
Renewability
Diamonds are non-renewable gemstones produced under huge rock pressure over millions of years. As days go by, the availability of diamonds will diminish without any chance for replenishment. With the depletion of natural diamond sources, the price of diamonds will rise, eventually making them more expensive and hard to afford.
Moissanite vs. natural diamond comparison will tell you that moissanite is produced under artificial conditions in laboratories, making it a timeless piece of precious jewelry. It is also environmentally friendly, involving no excavation, mining, or depletion of natural resources. This keeps their price under budget, making moissanite increasingly popular among the masses.
Please note that moissanite and lab diamonds are not the same. Lab-grown diamonds share the physical and structural properties of diamonds but are created in laboratories instead of being sourced from mines. So, moissanite vs. lab diamond comparisons will present a sharp price difference.
Ethics
Do not consider price alone when considering stones. Moissanite is produced synthetically in laboratories, adhering to laws and ethics. Its production does not involve child labor or trading disputes, preserving humanity while maintaining a premium value.
So, when choosing a white stone, the winner is not the more expensive stone but, the more ethical one.
Robustness
Diamonds are indeed the hardest substances on the earth. In the gemstone industry, hardness is measured in the Mohs scale, running from 1 to 10, in which diamond sets the upper limit. No naturally occurring or synthetically produced substance can beat diamonds in toughness and strength.
If you’ve run through a moissanite vs. diamond comparison, you’ll know that moissanite is second in robustness after diamonds. While diamond has a hardness of 10 Mohs, moissanite measures 9.25 to 9.5 Mohs in strength. It is an excellent count of hardness for a synthetically generated substance, and you can rest assured that your choice for a moissanite engagement ring will not prove to be fragile.
Lifetime Guarantee
Due to its tough and robust nature, moissanite has a lifetime guarantee for any scratches or other damage. The guarantee does not only cover physical damage but also pertains to color and other imperfections that may appear in the stone with age. If you feel your moissanite stone has incorporated alterations with time and looks shabby, you can always take it to the jeweler and get it replaced.
Unique Vintage Moissanite Engagement Ring, Cyan Blue Pear Cut Antique Halo Moissanite Ring
FAQs
- Does moissanite have a good resale value?
Yes, moissanite engagement rings have a healthy value in the ring resale marketplace. You can always sell your old moissanite ring or replace it with a new one if you feel it has altered in color or quality.
- Can I pass off my moissanite ring as a diamond?
Although moissanite rings look like diamonds and have a similar premium quality, hardness, and longevity, they are produced synthetically under laboratory conditions. Thus, passing them off as diamonds will not be ethical and is never recommended. It is better to appreciate it for what it is and accept it for what it isn’t.
- Why is some moissanite rings less expensive than the others?
It is easy to get confused about the price of a moissanite ring while purchasing it. Moissanite comes in three types: the yellowish-green classic moissanite, the colorless, and the near-colorless moissanite. Classic moissanite is a basic form having lower quality and an imperfect cut. Its price is also much lower owing to its “not so beautiful” look. The other high-quality, brilliantly cut moissanite is tagged at a high price to justify its premium look.
- How can a diamond and a moissanite ring be differentiated?
To tell a moissanite ring apart from a diamond ring, you must turn the stone and observe the sparkle. If it has an equal ratio of white and colored lights, it is a diamond, while if there is a ton of sparkling colored lights, it’s moissanite. Another way to differentiate is to examine the stone’s side facets. Diamond has a single culet, whereas moissanite has a facet doubling from the side view.
To Sum Up
Moissanite is the most cost-effective choice that provides a similar look and value to diamonds. It is a manufactured gemstone that offers comparable sturdiness, longevity, brilliance, and lifetime guarantee while discouraging unethical practices, preserving natural reserves, and promoting environmental friendliness. For proposing to your beloved with a budget-friendly engagement ring, moissanite can be your best choice. If you have trouble choosing, Diamondrensu would love to have a chat with you. Based on your story and your budget, we can curate a sample of moissanite rings we think you might like.
