Diamonds are well known for their timeless and luxurious beauty. However, moissanite engagement rings have become a rising affordable alternative to the classic gem due to their similarities for a fraction of the price.
What is moissanite?
Like diamonds, which are composed of carbon structures that have undergone intense heat and pressure, moissanite also has poetic naturally occurring origins. Usually found in meteorites, moissanite is composed of silicon carbide. Moissanite for jewelry is created in a lab. While some diamonds are made in labs as well, if you hear the term “lab created diamond” often this is a reference to moissanite; which is the most common diamond alternative.
Diamonds vs. Moissanite
Price
Moissanite is significantly more affordable than diamonds. Price is one of the main reasons why people have been gravitating towards moissanite over diamonds. When it comes to moissanite, you definitely get much more bang for your buck. Of the criteria discussed here, price is where you will find the greatest contrast between diamonds and moissanite. Pricing for moissanite is usually only determined by the size (carat) of the gem used and whether it is premium or super premium. Moissanite engagement rings are a great option for future brides who aren’t diamond obsessed or would rather allocate the money towards other wedding and life expenses.
Durability
One of the key characteristics of diamonds is their hardness on the Mohs Scale. Diamonds reign supreme in this category with a score of 10. However, moissanite isn’t trailing too far behind. Considering the price, moissanite scores an impressive 9.25-9.5. This is one of the most notable qualities of moissanite in regard to their similarity to diamonds.
Brilliance
Moissanite has a higher refractive index than a diamond; meaning that it bends light more effortlessly. Compared to a diamond, moissanite is much more colorful and displays rainbow light. Some say that moissanite has almost a holographic like shine to it. The larger the moissanite, the much more noticeable this rainbow light effect is. Diamonds have a whiter light appearance.
Color
Both diamonds and moissanite can be colorless or have some traces of color. When moissanite does possess some color, it is usually a yellow or grayish hue. Diamonds on the other hand have a greater variance in color; and are graded on a scale from D-Z.
Sourcing
For consumers looking for an option that is eco-friendlier, moissanite is a great option. Since moissanite jewelry comes from a lab, environmental and work labor concerns that are often associated with diamonds are waived. In addition to feeling at ease that your moissanite gem is more responsibly sourced, it is also easier to track where your moissanite gem actually came from since they are lab made.
Overall Appearance
Unless you’re a gemologist or trained jeweler, the overwhelming majority of people cannot distinguish between a moissanite and a diamond. Their physical appearance properties become more visible as the gem size increases. Moissanite is intentionally engineered to look like a diamond. Grading criteria for diamonds are based upon cut, color, clarity, and carat whereas moissanite is based upon carat and whether the moissanite is premium or super premium. Premium and super premium refer to the color of the moissanite. Premium moissanite is colorless or nearly colorless making it a “D’ on the color scale when compared to a natural diamond.
