Maybe You Should Buy a Moissanite Engagement Ring Instead of a Diamond
Marriage and diamonds are just a few of the things millennials are accused of murdering. But while claiming that millennials don’t buy diamonds (and don’t get married, for that matter) is not entirely true, it’s true that they buy differently .
The high price and ethical considerations of mined diamonds are just a couple of reasons why people choose lab-grown stones or alternative gemstones like moissanite-like stones for wedding rings.
Moissanite is one of the few common diamond alternatives that include colored stones such as sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. But compared to other gemstones, moissanite is almost visually indistinguishable from diamond and, as the second hardest stone used by jewelers, is also similar in durability.
Here are some reasons to choose a moissanite engagement ring.
What is the difference between moissanite and diamonds?
If you are looking for the look of a diamond but don’t actually buy a diamond, moissanite is about as close as you can get.
Price: Moissanite is cheaper
One of the biggest obstacles to buying diamonds is their cost. Even a very small, good quality diamond is out of reach for many – unattainable on a limited budget and meaningless for those who would simply prefer to spend their money elsewhere.
Moissanite accounts for about 10% of the value of a diamond of similar size and quality. So if you are looking for a larger stone, moissanite will give you more bang for your buck.
Ethics: Synthetic moissanite
You can certainly buy a laboratory-grown diamond, but all moissanite stones are synthetic and not mined, which alleviates many of the ethical concerns of the diamond industry. Moissanite occurs naturally but does not have chunks large enough to be cut into usable gems.
Appearance: Moissanite is almost identical
To the average person, moissanite is indistinguishable from a diamond, and hardly anyone will be able to tell just by looking at your stone.
A few very minor differences : moissanite can change color slightly depending on the lighting, although it is possible to get “colorless” stones. It can also reflect colored light instead of white. However, it is unlikely to contain any of the visible flaws that less expensive diamonds tend to have.
Durability: Moissanite is almost as durable as diamonds.
One of the disadvantages of gemstones other than diamonds is that they are softer and more prone to damage, which is not ideal for an engagement ring that you will wear every day. Moissanite is as close to diamond as possible when it comes to toughness and is unlikely to shatter or crack.
Which is better: a ring with moissanite or cubic zirconia?
Cubic Zirconia is another clear stone that looks like a diamond, but is much less durable and more porous, which means it is prone to scratching, cracking, and tarnishing over time. This is a relatively cheap (and synthetic) alternative, but cubic zirconia stones may need to be replaced at some point. There are other clear stone options , although they vary greatly in brightness and strength.
How to choose a moissanite stone
If you are looking for an engagement ring and have decided that you need moissanite, there are several shopping strategies to keep in mind:
- Compare Prices: Online jewelers may charge less than your local jewelry store, but price isn’t everything. At the very least, searching around can give you a better idea of what’s reasonable and some leverage for negotiation.
- Bigger can’t be better: just because you can afford a much larger moissanite doesn’t mean you have to go that route. Larger stones may have a more obvious color difference.
- Don’t settle for imperfections: In most cases, moissanite is said to be ” clean on the eyes, ” so there is no reason to pay for a dull stone that has scratches on its surface or is faded in color.