Buying a moissanite ring has emerged as an option for lots of couples. The question is, should you? When it comes to diamonds, a diamond is a diamond, (whether it is a mined diamond or a created diamond) anything else is a simulant. Which means it is like but not the same thing. Stones like a white sapphire, Cubic Zirconia (CZ) or moissanite are all similar looking to a diamond, but as I go into in this article are quite different.
Whether a moissanite or another simulant is right for you will come done to many factors. For some price is considerable factor, however there are others that genuinely like the look of a moissanite.
What is Moissanite?
Moissanite was first discovered in 1893 by a French scientist named Henri Moissan, who later won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He discovered the gemstone in a crater created by a meteorite that fell to Earth. He initially thought that he had discovered diamonds, but later determined that the crystals were composed of silicon carbide, which is different to diamonds that are made of carbon.
Are all Moissanite natural?
Natural moissanite is incredibly rare. The moissanite found in jewellery today is laboratory-created or referred to as synthetic moissanite. Moissanite is created to give the illusion of similarity to diamonds. However visually it is quite different from a real diamond. Most notably the durability, brilliance, and colour of the two gems are quite different.
Brilliance and Fire
We refer to the amount of white light coming out of a diamond as brilliance whereas fire or dispersion is seen as the blues, reds and yellows coming out of the gemstone. Interestingly moissanite shows both, but typically has more fire or dispersion than diamond. The visual effect of this is more rainbow flashes of light (or disco ball type look) than diamond. While some people find this appealing, the downside is that it can sometimes make the stone look artificial or unnatural.
Colour
Traditionally moissanites were identifiable by a characteristic yellow/greenish tinge, which are made significantly more visible when heated with a flame. Colours that were comparable to a J – M colour of diamonds. However today they come in a range of colours that are comparable to D-F or G – I colour of diamonds. Still, moissanite can change colour based on lighting and may not always look perfectly colourless.
Still, moissanite has been known to change colour based on lighting and may not always look perfectly colourless.
Clarity
Just like with diamonds, moissanite is graded for clarity. While they are created in laboratories, moissanites still have inclusions that are often visible with a magnification lens. Moissanites are graded on a similar scale to the one used by the GIA for grading diamonds.
However, it is important to note, that most moissanites will only come with a certificate issued by the manufacturer not an independent diamond grading laboratory like the GIA.
Since moissanites are artificial, unlike natural diamonds, it is very uncommon to see moissanites with a clarity grade below the VS level for sale.
Is a diamond more durable than moissanite?
Hardness
At the end of the day there is no stone that is as hard as a diamond. A diamond is a ten on the Mohs scale, diamond is well-known as the hardest material. Nothing but a diamond can scratch another diamond. While Moissanite has a hardness of 9.25 and is the second-hardest material used a gemstone, but it is destructible. Having a hard stone helps to ensure that the daily accidental bumps and scrapes that you hardly even notice, do not gouge, and scar the surface of your beautiful ring
Budget and Size for Moissanite vs. Diamond
The one big benefit of a moissanite ring is the cost. Which can play a significant factor when choosing an engagement ring for some couples. When comparing moissanite ring vs diamond ring, moissanite has a clear advantage in this aspect.
How much does a 1ct Moissanite cost?
Typically, a 1ct equivalent size moissanite stone will be under the $1000, depending on the colour, clarity, and manufacturer.
Disadvantages of Moissanite
Value – While diamonds do not meet any of the characteristics of an asset, other than an investment in your happiness, they still have a base value that is retained over the long term. Whereas there is no retained value in a moissanite.
Not a traditional diamond – diamonds have long been associated with engagement proposals. If you are considering using a moissanite in an engagement ring, it would be an innovative idea to have that discussion with your partner prior to proposing, to see if this is something important to them.
How to tell if your stone is a moissanite?
Doubling View of the facets in Moissanite. Unlike many other types of diamond simulant, moissanite displays an optical effect called double refraction. This means that when a light ray enters the gemstone, it is slowed down, bent, and split into two light rays. Which is different to a diamond which is singularly refractive.
The best way to observe this effect is to view the gemstone at an angle from the crown (bezel) facet. By bringing a ten times loupe and focusing on the culet through the bezel facet, you can check the gemstone for a “doubling facets” effect.
Will Moissanite show up on a diamond tester as a diamond?
No, most conventional diamond testers today will differentiate between a moissanite and a diamond. Most reputable jewellers will have one of these testers.
Whether or not a moissanite ring is the right stone for you will depend on your personal circumstances, and what is right for both of you. Sometimes a moissanite can be a great alternative for right now, and one that can be upgraded at some point in the future. At Xennox Diamonds we can make any of our engagement rings with a moissanite stone. We look forward to seeing you in our showroom for one of our design consultations, which you can book here.
