Shopping for an engagement ring can be overwhelming. You have to consider beauty, durability, and price.
Moissanite is an increasingly popular diamond alternative as an engagement ring option. It looks like a diamond but doesn’t have a hefty price tag or the risk of purchasing a blood diamond.
Brilliance
When choosing between moissanite rings vs diamond rings, individuals often consider factors like cost, brilliance, and ethical considerations to find the perfect symbol of love and commitment that aligns with their preferences.
While diamonds are known for their breathtaking sparkle, moissanites also have a unique beauty that shines through in any setting. These lab-created gems make for beautiful heirloom pieces that will last for generations.
Moissanites can look stunning in all types of engagement rings and jewelry. But they typically look best in cuts that hide color and show off the stone’s brilliance. These include the round brilliant cut, princess cut, oval cut, and marquise cut.
In addition to their high refractive index and intense brilliance, moissanites are lab-created, making them a sustainable choice for those concerned with the ethical side of diamond production. This has made them a popular alternative to diamonds for many consumers, including celebrities.
Regarding price, moissanites can be a more affordable option than diamonds. However, this mainly depends on the size and quality of the gemstone you’re looking for. The following table compares moissanite prices to diamonds of different clarity and carat weights.
Weight
Diamonds have a strong reputation for being the ultimate engagement ringstone. They’re a symbol of love, commitment, and eternity. But what if you’re on a budget? A moissanite ring can offer the same look as a traditional diamond for a fraction of the price.
Moissanites are a diamond substitute that is made in labs, and it’s becoming increasingly popular for engagement rings. The gemstone is similar to a diamond and is challenging, making it able to resist scratching. According to Boho Weddings, unlike other diamond simulants, it is also less likely to chip or break if dropped.
Some people prefer moissanite over a diamond for its brilliance, as it has an elegant white sparkle that is more natural-looking than the brilliant fire of a diamond. However, some believe that moissanite is a cheap alternative and not as “real” as a diamond. Ultimately, it comes down to your partner’s style and your relationship.
Clarity
Diamonds might reign supreme in the diamond engagement ring market, but they’re not the only gemstone to consider. Moissanite, a lab-created stone that looks remarkably similar to a diamond and has been growing in popularity due to its affordability, beauty, sustainability, and ethics, is also an option worth considering.
Moissanite is made from a naturally occurring mineral called silicon carbide. But because naturally occurring moissanite is rare and can’t be found in sizes large enough for jewelry, most of the gemstones we see at retailers are lab-created. Moissanite is eye-clean, meaning it’s difficult to see any blemishes with the naked eye.
Diamonds, on the other hand, are graded for their clarity based on the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Clarity Scale, which ranks stones on how clear they are, from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). Diamonds are ideal for engagement rings because they sparkle more brightly and look better under a microscope. Moissanite is colorless, but it can have tinges of yellow or green. The most colorless diamonds are rare and usually cost significantly more than a high-quality moissanite.
Color
While diamonds have long been the standard for engagement rings, many couples embrace moissanite. The beautiful and durable gemstone offers fire and brilliance similar to diamonds at a more affordable price. Plus, it’s an eco-friendly alternative to natural diamonds. The stone has become a popular choice for celebrities, including Elizabeth Olsen, Olivia Wilde, Iggy Azalea, and Molly-Mae Hague.
Moissanite occurs naturally in small amounts on the earth, but when we see it used as a diamond simulant or in jewelry, it’s almost always lab-grown. The gem is a form of crystalline silicon carbide, and it’s commonly cut into round brilliant shapes that mimic the refraction of sunlight.
Because they resemble natural diamonds, it can be challenging to discern moissanite from diamonds based on color alone. However, it’s easier to identify a diamond by its clarity, carat weight, and cut, which will most impact your price. Finding a quality center stone that fits your budget is essential regardless of which gemstone you choose.
Price
When buying an engagement ring, many factors come into play. Some of these include appearance, cost, and ethical implications. Selecting a stone that resonates with you and your partner’s values is essential.
Moissanite is an increasingly popular choice for engagement rings because of its jaw-dropping brilliance and affordability. It’s also incredibly durable, a great alternative to more common diamond simulants such as cubic zirconia.
Although moissanite can scratch, it’s less susceptible to chipping than a diamond. This means that it can be worn for years without losing its beautiful sparkle or becoming damaged.
Moissanite is a natural gemstone discovered over a century ago. However, the moissanite used in jewelry is sourced from labs that follow strict regulations and leave minimal environmental footprints. This makes moissanite an environmentally friendly and ethical alternative to mined diamonds. Moissanite is also priced 30-50% less than a diamond, making it an excellent option for those who want the beauty of a diamond at a more budget-friendly price point.
