MOISSANITE ENGAGEMENT RINGS - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT & HOW TO

WHAT IS MOISSANITE AND WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

Moissanite is a rare, naturally occurring mineral also known as silicon carbide. Named after Nobel Prize-winning chemist Dr. Henri Moissan, moissanite was first discovered in 1893 at the site of a massive meteorite strike in Arizona.

IS MOISSANITE A GOOD ENGAGEMENT STONE?

Moissanite is the second hardest to diamonds on the Mohs hardness scale,” O'Connell says. “Based on rankings from one to 10, diamonds are a 10 and moissanite is a 9.25-9.5.” Moissanite is a very durable option for an engagement ring stone, especially since the material doesn't scratch easily

WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF USING MOISSANITE IN AN ENGAGEMENT RING?

PROS

MOISSANITE IS BUDGET-FRIENDLY

When compared to diamonds, moissanites are much more friendly to your budget. If you want the look of a larger stone but don’t have the budget for it, then moissanite is a great option for getting that maxed out bling look without maxing out your budget However, moissanite is not cheap. It’s still a gemstone in its own right and has a high quality and durability, so don’t expect to be paying CZ prices. If you are, double check where that stone is coming from and if it’s a purchase you really want to make. Moissanite coming from countries other that the US is made under different laws and standards, and may not really be moissanite at all.

MOISSANITE IS AN ETHICAL CHOICE COMPARED TO MANY DIAMONDS

To begin with, moissanite is super cool—it was originally discovered in rock samples from a crater, which is pretty fabulous to begin with. However, and perhaps most importantly, it’s man-made now, which is absolutely a pro as you can be positive it’s created in an ethical and sustainable way. If the ethics of the diamond industry are a concern for you, choosing a moissanite ring might be the perfect way to get that diamond aesthetic you love, but with an unethical background.

MOISSANITE SPARKLES MORE THAN DIAMONDS

Moissanite is less likely to attract dirt, grease, and debris than a diamond and it’s also extremely “bright,” meaning it reflects white light beautifully and more than an actual diamond. So, if you’re looking to get a ring with a lot of sparkle factor, moissanite actually might even be a better choice than some other gems, including diamonds themselves.

MOISSANITE IS COMPATABLE TO DIAMONDS IN HARDNESS

Although not technically as hard and therefore scratch-resistant as a diamond, moissanite actually comes pretty close. At a 9.25 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, moissanite is second only to diamonds in regards to gems, and is therefore quite difficult to harm or scratch. If you’re comparing the two and want to go with the one that’s more scratch-resistant, both stones are comparable in this arena and would come out pretty close in that competition.

MOISSANITE IS CHEAPER IN PRICE THAN DIAMONDS

Perhaps considered one of the biggest pros of all, it’s no surprise that when it comes to price, moissanite is going to win hands down. It’s significantly less costly than its other precious counterparts, and because it is so aesthetically similar to diamonds, it’s an especially great options for couples who love the diamond look, but don’t love the diamond price tag.

CONS

SOME PEOPLE WILL MAKE ASSUMPTIONS BASED ON YOUR NON-TRADITIONAL STONE CHOICE

Something that comes along with choosing a ring that bucks tradition in any way is that other people are going to have opinions and assumptions about it. People may make unnecessary comments about your decision, whether they are super traditional and feel like any non-diamond ring goes against the point of the “diamonds symbolize forever” philosophy or if they assume you’re getting a “fake diamond” rather than an intentional separate stone. Of course, at the end of the day your ring choice is nobody’s business but yours and your spouse’s. It’s just good to know that you may need to be ready for some less-than-stellar comments from people who don’t agree with or understand your situation.

THE COLORING OF MOISSANITE IS NOT AS CLEAR AS DIAMONDS

Depending on the brand and type, moissanite can appear to have a yellow or green-ish tone in some lighting situations. If you’re looking to purchase a moissanite ring but would like it to have as close to diamond aesthetics as possible, really make sure you look for one that is intentionally as colorless as you can find. Although this is not a major concern for most people, it is true and is important to keep in mind as you choose your ring.

SOME JEWELERS WON’T WORK ON SYNTHETIC STONES

It’s important to know before you take the plunge with a moissanite engagement ring that some jewelers won’t work on moissanite stones. In fact, some jewelers won’t work on synthetic stones at all. So it’s important to know ahead of time whether or not your jeweler or a jeweler in your area will actually help you with your moissanite stone, should you need it. It’s a good idea to call your local store and make sure you speak with a jeweler before you commit to your ring or take it in to be looked at, reset, etc. Of course, not all jewelers refuse to work on moissanite, but it’s better to save yourself a trip and find out before you make assumptions on.

DIAMONDS OFFER A UNIQUE WHITE SPARKLE THAT MOISSANITE CANNOT REPLICATE

Because the clarity of moissanite is superior to that of most diamonds, you always receive a rainbow sparkle with this gemstone. When you choose a diamond instead, then you will receive a stunning white sparkle that its counterpart cannot offer. You can also choose different colors of diamonds to create unique hues and twinkles that show off your personal style. Because there is a subtle shift in how light refracts through the stone, people who know their diamonds will immediately confront you if you try to pass moissanite off as the real deal.

MOISSANITE DOES NOT OFFER THE SAME HEIRLOOM QUALITY

When you own diamond jewelry, then you are handing down something which offers value as an heirloom. Moissanite does not retain its value at all. The only thing that you will receive if you inherit or give a moissanite item to someone is sentimentality. Although diamonds do not retain their overall value well, anything containing them will certainly have more long-term worth than a laboratory-grown stone.

FREKVENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MOISSANITE ENGAGEMENT RINGS

WHAT SOMEONE WILL OR WILL NOT DO WITH YOUR RING

At the end of the day, moissanite as an engagement ring stone is a great option for many couples, whether their priority is keeping their rings budget-friendly, ethically sourced, or just plain gorgeous and sparkling. Moissanite is a popular alternative to a traditional diamond, and is becoming even more popular and accepted by the day. When you’re looking for ring options, be sure to check out some moissanite choices and see if any of them strike your fancy—you just might find your dream ring in a material you never imagined you’d love!

Moissanite might look like a diamond, but looks don’t change the composition of it.
Diamonds are the traditional gift to offer for a wedding, anniversary, or similar special event. Society looks at these gemstones as the ultimate symbol of love between two significant others. That means a substitute stone might not hold the same weight for its representation when compared to the real thing. You can save a lot of money by choosing moissanite over diamonds, but some people may not think that it is a worthy substitute.

IS MOISSANITE OK FOR AN ENGAGEMENT RING?

Have you been engagement ring shopping online? Just came across a gemstone you've never heard of, Moissanite? Wondering how they compare to Diamonds and if the sparkling stone is worthy of your big proposal? Yes, Moissanite engagement rings are fabulous.

HOW LONG DOES A MOISSANITE RING LAST?

Will Moissanite last forever? Yes it will. Moissanite is a beautiful gemstone that is very hard – a 9.25 on the hardness scale! So, just like a Diamond is forever, so too, is Moissanite. “Moissanite has become a popular choice for engagement rings. Moissanite, like diamond, is a very durable stone.” notes Opperman, citing IDoNowIDont’s increasing amount of estate and recycled Moissanite.

WHY IS MOISSANITE LESS POPULAR?

Given the circumstance of this gem's origin, natural Moissanite is not available to be mined and astronomically expensive to source. When the idea of engagement rings became popular around 1910, Diamond had enough natural supply in the mines around the world to meet the demands of the newly adopted proposal culture. However, modern technology has fundamentally shifted the supply of Moissanite through synthetic creation. Moissanite is extremely rare in its natural form because it doesn't grow on earth like other gemstones.

WHY IS MOISSANITE SO CHEAP?

As Moissanite is grown in a laboratory, they do not have the usual cost of digging, shipping and the discovery of a common mineral diamond. So, the Moissanite rings and jewelry cost less per carat than a diamond engagement ring, yet they are a little better. This means a lot of bang for your money

IS THERE A DOWNSIDE TO MOISSANITE?

They're Way Too Shiny. Moissanite has a crazy amount of sparkle. Its refractive index is higher than a natural diamond's, producing more shine and a special kind of fiery rainbow brilliance. While some people go crazy for these sparkles, others turn up their noses at them.

WILL MOISSANITE PASS THE DIAMOND TEST?

Unlike fake diamonds and various other gems, moissanite is likewise an effective conductor of heat. Therefore, when using a diamond tester that discovers thermal conductivity, moissanite will certainly pass as a diamond. Despite having well-known flaws, they are a valuable tool for jewelers and gemologists.

CAN THE AVERAGE PERSON TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MOISSANITE AND DIAMOND?

Most people cannot tell the difference between moissanite and diamonds. The GIA has even stated that moissanite is “much closer to diamond in overall appearance and heft than any previous diamond imitation.

CAN I SHOWER WITH MY MOISSANITE RING?

Yes, you can wear your moissanite engagement ring in the shower. On its own, water will not harm your moissanite stone. However, repeated exposure to soap, shampoo and conditioner can create a build-up of oils on the surface of your ring.

DO MOISSANITE RINGS HOLD VALUE?

The short answer is yes! Many people are mistaken in thinking that a diamond is an investment.

DOES MOISSANITE SPARKLE LIKE A DIAMOND?

Moissanite has been segmented differently than diamonds, resulting in less refraction of bright light. It does sparkle, but never as brightly or as clearly as the diamond. Moissanite possesses a higher fire than diamonds.

SUMMARY

Yes, moissanite looks very similar to a diamond. It's near-colorless, has a similar refractive index to a diamond and the GIA deems moissanite the closest diamond imitation. Many jewelers consider moissanite a diamond alternative, not an imitation, though you will find plenty of that language on the internet.