Diamond rings are beautiful, timeless symbols of love and commitment. They are also expensive. If you want to an engagement without breaking the bank, then diamond engagement rings might not be the best option. There are alternatives out there that are much cheaper and look great too. One such alternative is moissanite Rings.
Moissanite is a naturally occurring gemstone that has similar properties to diamonds. It is often mistaken for a diamond because they both share similar characteristics. The main difference between them is their price. While diamonds cost thousands of dollars, moissanite rings start at $100 or less.
Over the years, research around moissanite has presented possibilities of making it in the laboratory. For that reason, most of the moissanite available in the market is manmade. Researchers tested moissanite in the lab and found it was Silicon Carbide (SiC). That way, they have managed to grow it in the lab and make it more available than diamond.
Moissanite’s Benefits over Diamond
Even though diamond is the king of gems, it does come with some disadvantages. On the other side, there are various benefits of Moissanite stones. These include:
- Cost – Diamonds can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $20,000 per carat depending on the cut and clarity. This makes them very expensive compared to other precious stones like sapphires and rubies. Moissanite comes at a fraction of this cost. For that reason, moissanite is a great alternative considering you will get diamond-like qualities at a low cost.
- Appearance and durability – Diamonds have an appealing sparkle and brilliance. However, they lack durability and scratch resistance. On the contrary, moissanite is extremely durable. It is almost impossible to damage it. In fact, moissanite is even harder than diamonds. This means that you can wear your moissanite ring all day long without worrying about scratching it.
- Color – Most people prefer white diamonds. However, moissanite is available in many different colors including yellow, pink, blue, green, etc. This gives you the opportunity to choose the perfect color for yourself.
- Scratch Resistant – Diamonds are famous for being scratch resistant but they are not. Moissanite is far better in terms of its scratch resistance. It can withstand up to 100 times more scratches than any other stone.
- Weight – Diamonds are heavy. Their weight ranges from 1.5 grams to 8 grams per carat. On the other hand, moissanite weighs only 0.3 grams to 0.9 grams per carat. This makes moissanite lighter than diamonds hence a perfect choice for an engagement ring.
- Cut – Diamonds come in various cuts such as round brilliant, emerald, pear, oval, marquise, heart, princess, radiant, asscher, and so forth. Each cut has its own unique set of benefits and drawbacks. Moissanite does not have any particular cut. Hence, it works well with every type of setting.
- Clarity – Diamonds grading revolves around their clarity. They range from VS2 to VVS2. Moissanite also falls under the same category. This means that moissanite is just as clear as diamond. Unlike diamonds, however, moissanite does not require any special treatment to maintain its clarity.
- Heat Resistance – Diamonds are highly heat sensitive. They start losing their luster when exposed to temperatures above 400 degrees Celsius. Moissanite on the other hand remains stable at much higher temperatures. This allows you to use it in high temperature settings without compromising its appearance.
- Carats – The size of a diamond or moissanite determines how much light it reflects. A larger diamond will reflect more light while a smaller one will be darker. This is why most people prefer large diamonds.
On the contrary, small diamonds look brighter because they reflect more light. With moissanite, you do not need to worry about the size of the stone. You can make it into any shape and size you want.
- Ease of maintenance – Diamonds are difficult to clean. If you accidentally drop a diamond on the floor, you might end up having to spend hours cleaning it. On the contrary, you can easily wipe off moissanite using a damp cloth.
If you are looking for a diamond engagement ring that is affordable, then moissanite is the best option. It offers similar properties as a diamond yet costs less. The ability to grow moissanite in the lab gives jewelry lovers better options than diamond in terms of quality and price.
