For the past 20 years, moissanite has become one of the most popular alternatives to regular diamonds. As a result, there has been an increase in their demand, and rightfully so. They are precious, rare, and stunning. Add them to a piece of fine jewelry, and it will immediately elevate its look and value.
But what is moissanite ‘diamond’? What factors should you consider if you’re thinking of buying one? Do moissanite and regular diamonds look the same? Most importantly, are there any alternatives to them?
Moissanite Tennis Bracelet - 4.0 MM Brilliant Cut Moissanite Wedding Bracelet
What is Moissanite Diamond?
Moissanite was discovered back in the 1800s when a meteor hit Arizona, USA. In the 1980s, a company in North Carolina started producing crystals of moissanite. Finally, in 1998, a jewelry brand incorporated these stones into their pieces and thus began the trend of moissanite jewelry.
What made these brands create jewelry out of this stone? Well, moissanite, also called silicon carbide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It has a shimmery, sparkling finish and is almost colorless.
Interestingly, natural moissanite as a mineral is extremely rare and only found in upper mantle rock and meteorites. So, is the moissanite lab created? Most of the moissanite gems created today are lab created.
Selecting a Moissanite Jewelry Piece
If you’ve been wondering why you should get yourself or your loved one a moissanite jewelry piece, here are a few factors that can help you make the right decision.
It Is Rare
Moissanite comes from a scarce mineral, making it a precious stone. However, do keep in mind that due to its rarity in extraction, most moissanite gems are created in a lab. But that doesn’t change its authenticity. It is still as real and as genuine as natural moissanite.
It Is Affordable
The most crucial factor that is taken into consideration when buying moissanite is its price. Moissanite gemstones are cheaper than regular, naturally occurring diamonds. Of course, just like a diamond, moissanite also varies in composition, making the price differ. The superior the quality, the most expensive it will be.
It Is an Eco-Friendly Alternative to Natural Diamonds
Since moissanite is created in controlled settings using high-level technology, the natural resources remain fairly untouched. The process has a limited environmental impact. Nevertheless, it does not mean that one cannot get natural moissanite. But lab-created moissanite diamonds are considered to be a more eco-conscious version of their naturally-occurring counterparts.
It Has a Better Finish
These days, a lot of people are looking for alternatives to diamonds. There are quite a few available in the market today, such as cubic zirconia. Unfortunately, cubic zirconia gets discolored upon usage, developing a cloudy appearance. This will not be the case with moissanite. In fact, a regular diamond will lose its luster over time, but moissanite will not.
Check for the 4 Cs
When you buy moissanite, you must check the 4 Cs that determine the quality of any stone: cut, clarity, color, and carat weight. Moissanite is colorless, and the color grading depends on whether the stone is completely colorless or has faint color hues.
The same goes for its clarity. A moissanite stone is graded on clarity, depending on whether it is flawless or has inclusions of crystals, feathers, or clouds. However, these inclusions can only be observed upon extreme magnification and have little impact on how the stone looks from the outside.
Can You Tell Moissanite From a Diamond?
A question that everyone asks when buying moissanite is whether it is similar to a diamond. If you put the two together, you cannot tell the difference. At first glance, they both look the same as they’re both transparent, colorless, and shiny.
However, there are several differences between moissanite and diamond. First, they are not the same; they merely look the same. Here are a few ways in which both differ from each other.
Hardness and Durability
On the Mohs scale (used to determine a gemstone’s durability), the diamond scores a solid 10, making it the hardest stone on earth. Moissanite comes a close second, scoring a 9.25 on the same scale. With minute differences in their hardness, both are considered among the market's most reliable and durable stones.
Dispersion or ‘Fire’
Fire is a term that is used to signify the dispersion of light into noticeable spectral colors. Moissanite has stronger fire and will disperse more light than a diamond.
Brilliance
Moissanite has a higher refraction index than diamond. Therefore, it refracts and sparkles more than a regular diamond.
Weight and Density
The weight of the stones, when held, is indistinguishable. But for a jeweler, the density and weight are vital components of understanding the quality of the gem. A diamond’s weight is somewhere around 3.52 g/cm3. Compared to this, moissanite is lighter, weighing approximately 3.21 g/cm3.
Price
As mentioned earlier, moissanite is cheaper than a diamond. Therefore, it is an affordable alternative to natural mined diamonds. If you’re looking to buy a bigger stone without spending a lot of money and get the same finish as a diamond, then this is the right choice for you.
Moissanite makes for a great alternative to mined diamonds. It has excellent qualities and looks incredible, too. So if you’re on a budget and looking for a substitute, you know exactly where to go.
But there’s another alternative to mined diamonds which rose to fame for all the right reasons.
Other Affordable Diamond Alternatives Lab Grown Diamond
Lab grown diamonds are an ethically-conscious alternative to mined diamonds. These diamonds are essentially created inside a laboratory in a controlled environment. Two techniques are used to create these diamonds: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) method and the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) method.
Unlike natural diamonds that take millions of years to form, these can be created in just a few weeks. It is an affordable alternative to mined diamonds.
Moissanite vs Lab Diamond
The answer for the “lab diamond vs moissanite” argument isn’t a simple yes or no. This completely depends on what your requirements are. Moissanite is the right choice for you if you’re looking for a stone that resembles diamonds. It is durable, has a higher refractive index, disperses more light and colors, and is more affordable.
However, diamonds have always been the truest symbol of love and commitment, which is why many people do not wish to invest in any stones other than these. Still, if you’re on a budget and mined diamonds seem too expensive, then lab created diamonds are the right option. They are as authentic as a natural diamond, so you know you’re gifting something of premium quality.
Lab Grown Diamond vs Moissanite
Whether you’re looking for synthetic diamonds or moissanite, at Diamondrensu, you’ll find a wide range of stones that will fulfill all your needs. Let’s take a look at some moissanite and lab grown diamonds available on Diamondrensu.
Best Examples of Moissanite Jewelry
2.92 CT Emerald Cut Solitaire Moissanite Engagement Ring
If you’re looking for a dainty ring, then a clean emerald cut moissanite ring is the perfect choice for you. Its simplistic design offers a clean look while maintaining its opulence at the same time. It has a clarity rating of VVS, which means it has very slight inclusions. Choose your ring size and your preferred choice of metal, and you’re good to go.
10.69 CT Radiant Cut Moissanite Engagement Ring
This is a perfect example of how you can get a bigger stone at a much more reasonable cost. Its shape and size are extravagant. The sides of the ring are also encrusted with moissanite diamonds, adding to its grandeur. It’s definitely a showstopper.
5.0 MM Round Brilliant Cut Colorless Moissanite Modern Tennis Bracelet
Moissanite is a versatile stone that can be used for various kinds of jewelry. This intricately designed bracelet is adorned with moissanite stones all over. Diamondrensu also allows for personalization so that you can get the jewelry of your dreams.
Best Examples of Lab Grown Diamond Jewelry
1 CT Radiant Cut Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring
This unique pave cut ring is designed to turn heads. With a beautiful lab created diamond attached with clawed hooks and diamond encrusted sides, it is one of the most beautiful rings you can gift to your loved one.
1 CT Pear Lab Grown Diamond, EF/VS Halo Wedding Pendant
This stunning pendant includes a pear cut diamond surrounded by minimal lab grown diamonds, causing a halo effect. Add your personalization and what you’ll get is a stunning piece of jewelry that you can proudly call your own.
Marquise Cut Tiara Style Lab Grown Diamond Wedding Band
This delicate ring has a tiara-styled design with small marquise cut lab grown diamonds, giving it a fresh and classy look. Pair it with some dainty jewelry and complete your look.
In Conclusion
Every piece of jewelry tells a story. When buying a precious stone, you have to understand what you connect with the most. No matter what the gem is, your attachment is what is going to make it special.
At Diamondrensu, you can be assured that you’ll get the perfect match. Head to the website and check out the versatile collection of moissanite and lab grown diamonds. We can guarantee that you’ll fall in love!
