Moissanite formations are pretty uncommon on the planet. It is basically a precious gemstone from space. This outstanding diamond-like stone demonstrated incredible brilliance, fire, sparkle, and hardness. Diamonds may remain dominant in the world of engagement rings. However, they aren’t the only gemstone option available. If you want something different, there are many great options, including stones that look surprisingly similar to diamond rings, such as Moissanite rings.
What is moissanite?
Moissanite seems like a diamond at first glance. It is not, however, the same as a diamond. Moissanite is almost colorless and is a naturally occurring mineral composed of pure silicon carbide, whereas diamond is made of carbon. Natural moissanite is so rare that using it in jewelry is nearly impossible. It was discovered in 1893 by a French scientist named Henri Moissan while inspecting rock samples taken from an Arizona meteor crater. Moissanite used in jewelry today is formed in a laboratory due to its rareness.
What is a diamond?
Diamond is a mineral made entirely of carbon. It’s one of the most popular gemstones and the extremely hard naturally occurring substance known. Diamonds have a variety of vital industrial uses due to their extreme hardness.
Moissanite vs. Diamond: Which is More Beautiful?
The major point of contention in the moissanite vs. diamond discussion is whether one is more beautiful than the other. Moissanite is undoubtedly a convincing diamond substitute. Even jewelry specialists need a “moissanite tester” — a device that evaluates electrical conductivity and a magnifier for a close visual evaluation to differentiate between diamonds and moissanite. However, buyers may notice subtle differences in their beauty.
Key differences between Moissanite rings and Diamond rings
Color: Mined diamonds are available in a range of colors, from icy-white clear to yellow or gray hues. Neither two mined diamonds are alike, just like snowflakes. The range of color variation in a mined gemstone is caused by environmental factors in which the gemstone grew naturally. The clearer or whiter a diamond appears, the more useful and desirable it is to consumers.
Moissanite, on the other hand, is a space meteorite-derived gem that does not occur naturally on Earth. Because of this, all Moissanite gems are lab-created since obtaining their natural form in nature is nearly impossible. As a result, Moissanites rings in the market currently are mostly colorless.
Hardness and Durability: A diamond’s hardness differs from that of moissanite. Moissanite has a Mohs hardness of 9.25, whereas diamond has a Mohs hardness of 10. The hardness of a gemstone is measured on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the hardest. Diamonds are the hardest known mineral on the planet, as they are extremely resilient and long-lasting. Diamond rings for women are resistant to daily wear and tear as well as other damages.
Diamonds are renowned for their durability. They are an extremely hard natural mineral and can survive almost any type of damage that may occur. Moissanite rings, on the other hand, are not far behind. On the Mohs hardness scale, it is the 2nd hardest to diamond.
Price: Moissanite is significantly less expensive than diamonds. Even though this signifies you can get a bigger stone for your money, this also means moissanite is far less precious, and you are eventually purchasing something worth almost nothing in the long term. While diamonds are more expensive and are a decent investment because they can be passed across the generations and still maintain their value.
Brilliance and fire: The ability of a gemstone to reflect white light, referred to as brilliance, is a good indicator of how much ‘sparkle and fire’ it has. The refraction of the gemstone determines its brilliance. Moissanite disperses light well, has higher light refraction than diamond, and appears more brilliant. Furthermore, because of its crystalline structure, Moissanite is less likely to attract grease or dirt over a period than Diamond, which should help keep the ‘sparkle’ longer between cleanings.
Clarity: Since moissanites are grown in laboratories, they do not contain significant clarity flaws like diamonds. They always appear eye-clean, unlike diamonds which might have visible imperfections. Moissanite generally has a higher clarity than a diamond because it is created in a lab, whereas a diamond is formed naturally. It is common for diamonds to have inclusions and blemishes as they are natural products, whereas moissanite has very few.
Moissanite has recently become a popular alternative for those who cannot afford the outrageous prices of diamonds. Moissanite rings are the current fashion trend among women and brides who desire to look stunning but don’t want to spend a fortune.