Jewelry is your best option for an engagement, birthday, promotion, or just another Saturday to express love. The sparkly little rocks ignite romance and happiness everywhere they go. Jewelry is made of many precious metals and stones silver, gold, diamond, pearls, and more. It comes at many different price points according to the material used. Gold is more expensive than silver, and diamond is more expensive than gold. But what if we told you that diamonds are now available for 1/10th of their original price? You would be ecstatic, of course, and so are we to introduce the best moissanite loose stones.
Moissanite is a silicon carbide that occurs naturally. It was discovered in the 19th century by a French chemist named Henry Moissan. Moissanite was first found while examining a meteor crater in Arizona. Due to its exceptionally similar appearance to a diamond and shared properties, it was mistaken for a diamond.
Naturally occurring moissanite is extremely rare. Moissanite is said to be ‘born from the stars’ as it was only seen in meteorites until as late as the mid-twentieth century. Since the occurrence of these beautiful crystals is rare in nature, the moissanite we see today is mostly lab-grown. It took years of trial and error to successfully create this mesmerizing gemstone in a lab.
Properties Of Moissanite
Certain terms help us measure the beauty and durability of gemstones. They are:
1. Refractive Index
It is the measure of the amount of light that is reflected once it enters the gemstone. The refractive index of moissanite is between 2.65 and 2.69.
2. Fire
The design of the cutting and dispersion of the stone together result in fire. It is measured by the number of colored rays obtained when the jewel is moved at different angles. Fire is the phenomenon of the right rays dispersing into a spectrum when they hit the moissanite. The fire dispersion of moissanite is 0.104.
3. Luster
Luster is measured by the amount of light reflected off the surface of the gemstone. The lustre of moissanite is 20.4%.
4. Hardness
Moissanite is extremely hard, with a hardness index of 9.25 Mohs. This implies that moissanite is durable and suitable for people working in various sectors.
5. Heat Resistance
Moissanite is exceptionally heat resistant and can withstand temperatures as high as 1,100°C.
Moissanite vs. Diamond
Diamonds and moissanite look remarkably similar and are almost indistinguishable to the naked eye. So what makes these two equally gorgeous gemstones different? Let us consider certain factors:
1. Price
One of the biggest advantages of moissanite over diamonds is the significant price difference. The value of moissanite increases with the increase in carat weight. The best moissanite loose stones are approximately one-tenth the cost of diamonds of equal quality and size.
Wanting a sizeable sparkly gemstone of high quality does not always have to burn a hole in your pocket. An individual could spend a lot of money and still end up with a small, low-quality diamond. On the other hand, they could buy moissanite and spend the same amount on larger, better-quality stones.
The question now arises: What makes moissanite considerably cheaper than diamonds? Thankfully, the lower prices of moissanite are not indicators of poorer quality. Moissanite is cheaper due to the disparity in the supply and demand of moissanite and diamonds. While many buy loose moissanite, diamonds are still the preferred gemstone for special occasions such as engagements. The exceptionally high demand for diamonds makes them much more expensive than moissanite. This means that as long as there is a higher demand for diamonds in the market, the prices for moissanite will be lower and more affordable.
11.16 CT Marquise Cut Loose Moissanite for Engagement Ring
2. Durability
The durability of a moissanite stone is defined by its ability to bear through wear and tear. One of the factors that are taken into consideration to determine this is the hardness of the stone. Diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring minerals. They have a hardness index of 10 Mohs, making them an excellent choice for everyday wear. Diamonds are known for their durability.
Although diamonds rank number one on the hardness index of gemstones, moissanite is a close second. They outrank many other colored gemstones, such as rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. Moissanite is ideal for long-term wear with a hardness index of 9.25 Mohs Mohs. They are suitable for people with different job profiles. Moissanite does not scratch easily and hence is perfect for engagement rings.
3. Color
Both diamonds and moissanite can be colorless or have some color. The color of diamonds can vary greatly. The color of diamonds is graded on a scale of D-Z, where D refers to colorless diamonds, and Z refers to light yellow or brown diamonds. You can find diamonds in a plethora of colors, such as yellow, pink, green, red, blue, or brown.
Moissanite initially had a slightly yellow or green color. But with technological advancement and years of tweaking the manufacturing process, manufacturers can now produce high-quality colorless moissanite.
4. Brilliance
One of the biggest differences between a diamond and a moissanite is its brilliance. Moissanite has much more brilliance compared to a diamond. Brilliance is determined by the fire and refractive index of the gemstone.
Since moissanite is double refractive, it has more fire than any other gemstone. The dispersion value of moissanite is twice that of diamonds. Moissanite has greater fire than diamonds which means they display spectral colors when moved in the light. Moissanite hence has a rainbow-like effect, while diamonds reflect a whiter light.
Now that we have a working knowledge of moissanite, let us talk about loose moissanite.
Difference Between Set and Loose Moissanite Stones
As the name suggests, a set stone is moissanite that is set in some jewelry. A moissanite stone can be set in various ornaments, the most common being rings. A loose stone is a moissanite stone that is sold independently, i.e., without any structure surrounding it.
Many assume that getting a custom ring for an engagement or a special event may be out of their budget, but the best moissanite loose stones are cheaper than set moissanite. There are various cuts and qualities to choose from so that one can build their dream ring. A Colored loose moissanite is also a great option for customization.
Where Is Loose Moissanite Used?
Loose moissanite makes a unique gift. You can buy loose stones from dealers like Diamondrensu to make a beautiful occasion special. It allows you to gift jewelry and freedom at the same time. The receiver can take their loose stone to a store and get custom jewelry built according to their tastes.
In Conclusion
Loose moissanite possesses all the qualities offered by diamonds and is considerably cheaper. It is exceptionally durable and suitable for daily wear as it can handle wear and tear. It produces a rainbow-like effect when rotated in the light. Loose moissanite comes in various qualities, cuts, and colors, to match everyone’s tastes and budgets. It is an excellent alternative to expensive diamonds. If you have someone special in your life and want to gift them gemstones, buy loose moissanite from Diamondrensu.
