What Is Moissanite Diamond Rings
IS MOISSANITE A DIAMOND?
When looking for engagement rings, buyers often ask the question: What are Moissanite diamond rings? If you’re trying to hit up Google, Yahoo or Bing for the details behind Moissanite rings, make sure not to confuse the stone for a diamond! Moissanite diamonds do not exist. While Moissanite and natural diamonds may look nearly identical, they’re two very different gemstones.
With an almost flawless clarity and crystal clear colour, Moissanite often causes buyers to look twice…especially when rings showcasing a Moissanite centerpiece are much more affordable that the same ring set with a diamond. As the stone offers an unmistakably budget-conscious price-tag, a buyer’s concern about Moissanite engagement rings often lies in the eternal question: Is Moissanite rings too good to be true?
Besides choosing an engagement ring, there’s also the question of on which finger it should be worn? Once you’re engaged, our wedding planning guide and checklist might come in handy.
So What Is Moissanite?
While Moissanite isn’t a “kind of” diamond, it’s also not a diamond imposter, like cubic zirconia, either. Moissanite is its own unique gemstone—and, just like the diamond, it’s also very rare in nature. However, in recent years, Moissanite has taken center stage in engagement rings as a substitute for the once dominant diamond.
Affordable moissanite engagement rings offer consumers two important factors that a lot of diamonds simply can’t match: low cost and ethical standards. While most prominent players within the diamond industry adhere to the Kimberley Process to assure buyers that diamonds are conflict-free, not every diamond within the market was mined in accordance to these ethical standards. As the rules only began in 2000, some diamonds that were purchased or mined before the new millennium might be conflict diamonds.
However, Moissanite jewellery has always been and can always remain conflict-free and ethically sourced. Moissanite (also referred to as silicon carbide) was discovered within a meteorite crater by Henri Moissan (for whom the gem was named) and consequently the mineral’s composition was recreated in a lab by Charles & Colvard. Today, Charles & Colvard are considered the premier creators of Moissanite. Many manufacturers of the best moissanite rings are now found worldwide and it is important that labs, and not mines, are the source of these stones.
For buyers curious about purchasing Moissanite rings in South Africa, there are a couple of details about the stone that differ from diamonds. The 4Cs of diamond grading—cut, carat, clarity and colour — don’t all apply to Moissanite.
The gemstone typically features a flawless clarity and is almost colourless; most Moissanite stones are within the D-F colour grade, and reflect a gray tinge rather than a yellow one (as with diamonds). This means that Moissanite shoppers need not be concerned about prices skyrocketing due to grade changes for clarity and colour. Since Moissanite is lab created, cut and polished, the cut is normally excellent. Carat, however, will have an effect on the cost of a Moissanite stone… but not by nearly the same as with a diamond.
Like diamonds, Moissanite is additionally available in several shapes like pear, round brilliant, Asscher, emerald, marquise, oval and cushion. Obviously, the sort of metal utilized in an engagement ring setting will affect the cost—like higher gold purity or platinum.
Those who select real Moissanite rings in lieu of a diamond ring can also be assured that the stone is strong enough for daily wear. While no gemstone can replicate a diamond’s hardness, Moissanite comes incredibly close. Although a diamond may be a 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, Moissanite comes in second at 9.25.
The colourless clear beauty and sparkling fire of Moissanite allows the stone to be the closest substitute for buyers who want the look of diamonds without the moral dilemma or higher cost. Moissanite isn’t a diamond duplicate, rather a totally unique and fiery stone that gives an equal stunning statement of a diamond at a fraction of the price!
When selected as your engagement ring center stone, Moissanite combines flawless perfection with economical brilliance.
Are Moissanites worth the cost?
Buying an engagement ring is not an easy choice. Not only is it an expression of your eternal love and commitment, but it’s also a serious financial decision. Therefore you need to know where to buy Moissanite rings in South Africa for the best results.
The biggest advantage of Moissanite vs. diamond is that it’s much more affordable. If a 1 carat diamond costs for example R75 000, a similar Moissanite might only cost R15 000. This is a significant saving on moissanite rings for sale but it’s still not exactly cheap. Some might think that purchasing a diamond is an investment whereas a forever brilliant Moissanite engagement ring won’t retain its value. Unfortunately, a diamond isn’t an investment and has no inherent value over a Moissanite.
If you are still in doubt, you will see the remarkable difference when you want to sell your diamond for the price your purchased it at. Unlike gold, diamonds don’t maintain their value. They’re like cars or household goods – as soon as you purchase them, they do drop in price. So back to talking about value retention.
The conclusion: Moissanites save you money
Do Moissanites look fake?
Moissanites are so similar in appearance to diamonds that they are the perfect stone for a diamond substitute. In most cases, nobody would even know the difference unless you tell them.
However, there’s a caveat to this. The trouble with Moissanite is that the larger they get, the more pronounced the ‘rainbow effect’ becomes. This refers to flashes of colour that emanates from the stone when viewed under natural lighting and occurs thanks to Moissanite’s high index of refraction (2.65 as against diamonds’ 2.42).
In smaller stones, up to 1.5 carats, this rainbow effect is not clearly visible. But if you’re going for an outsized Moissanite over 1.5 carats, this becomes something that might give your stone away. Your stone will sparkle and display fiery flashes under lights, which could not be the look you were looking for. If you would like to avoid this, choose a smaller Moissanite. They look near identical to diamonds.
The other thing which will make a Moissanite appear fake is that your friends and family would know that you simply couldn’t possibly afford a 4-carat diamond. If you’re flashing an outsized stone on your finger, they’re might know it is a fake.
Are Moissanites ethical and sustainable?
One way that Moissanite jewellery trumps natural diamonds is that they’re ethical and sustainable and have minimal impact on the environment. This isn’t to indicate that other stones aren’t sustainable; it’s just that diamonds have come under attack in recent decades thanks to unethical practices within the industry. If you’re concerned about buying a conflict diamond or the large devastation that diamond mining has on the earth, a Moissanite could be a more suitable option for you.
What about Moissanite oil slicks?
Sometimes Moissanite can display what’s referred to as an ‘oil slick’. This refers to a filmy layer which will coat the surface of the stone. The slick is dreaded within the Moissanite industry some potential buyers are afraid that they’ll fall victim existing infamous issue.
There’s no reason to be worried because the slick is usually temporary and comes right off with the proper polish and cleaning. The reason Moissanites can have a slick is due to production process or the chemicals used. But using silver polish and giving the stone a decent scrub with a brush or a cloth, will get rid of the stains. Most people don’t find that the slick is permanent and proper care can keep it away.
Moissanite originated in a lab.
There’s no getting around this. Moissanite does come from a lab and isn’t a natural gemstone. But what many of us don’t know is that there’s such a thing as natural Moissanite, only it’s so rare and hard to find that it’s impossible to have a natural Moissanite engagement ring. While the Moissanite on the market is an achievement of science and technology, natural Moissanite came to earth on an asteroid.
As mentioned, it was first discovered by Henry Moissan in a meteorite crater in Arizona, who thought the stone was diamonds. Natural Moissanite is naturally only found at a few places around the world, mainly in meteorites and stratum rocks. This means that Moissanite truly is stardust or space diamond. It’s a material that came from outer space and was replicated on earth. Now how’s that for an origin story?
