You have decided to be in a relationship, and now you want to choose the perfect Diamond or Moissanite Engagement Ring? Both options come with their pros and cons. What should you look out for before choosing between them?
Diamonds are the ultimate symbol of love and commitment. However, they are also extremely expensive. On the other hand, moissanite is less expensive than diamonds. However, not many people can differentiate between them.
Both diamond and moissanite rings are beautiful choices. The choice depends on personal preference and budget. If you are looking for something unique, then you should consider buying a moissanite engagement ring. Otherwise, go for a classic diamond ring.
History of Diamonds and their Use
Diamonds have been around since the Stone Age. In fact, their use started as early as 500 BC in Egypt. This means that diamonds have been around for thousands of years. Since then, they have become an important part of our culture.
In terms of composition, diamonds comprise carbon atoms arranged in a specific pattern called a crystal lattice. These crystals form when molten rock cools down. When this happens, the carbon atoms arrange themselves into a hexagonal structure.
Diamonds do not occur naturally; instead, they form through natural processes. For example, volcanoes produce diamonds. Other sources include meteor impacts, volcanic eruptions, and hydrothermal vents.
The Discovery of Moissanite
A French scientist Henri Moissan discovered moissanite in 1879. Since then, it has gained popularity because of its beauty and affordability. Researchers took the stone to the laboratory for tests only to find out it was Silicon Carbide (SiC). With these findings, it was easy and cheap to make moissanite available in the market.
Due to its availability and affordability, moissanite is often referred to as the “poor man’s diamond”. The process of creating moissanite involves heating graphite at high temperatures. As soon as the temperature reaches 1,200 degrees Celsius, the graphite turns into silicon carbide.
Since then, moissanite has grown in popularity among couples who prefer to spend less money on engagement rings. It is also popular among those who want to show off their wealth.
What Makes Diamonds Different from Moissanite?
Even though moissanite and diamonds share similar characteristics, there are still some differences. Their close resemblance in terms of properties makes it difficult to distinguish between them. However, experts can easily tell their differences. Here are important aspects to help you learn the disparities between diamonds and moissanite:
Value and Cost
Diamonds are more valuable than moissanite hence attracting higher costs than moissanite. A single-carat diamond costs about $1,000 while 3-carat moissanite costs approximately $300. However, moissanite is cheaper because it is easier to create. In addition, it is much easier to cut and polish compared to diamonds. Hence, it is possible to get better quality cuts with lower prices.
Color and Appearance
Diamonds are usually white or yellowish in color. However, moissanite comes in different colors such as pink, blue, green, orange, etc. Due to this difference, moissanite looks more attractive than diamonds.
If you want your jewelry piece to look beautiful, then you should go for moissanite with a specific shade. You can find these shades at jewelers. These shades include white, rose gold, champagne gold, yellow gold, yellow.
Carats and weight
Dealers determine a diamond’s weight based on how many carats it contains. Carats are the most common unit of measurement for diamonds. They measure weight and size. One carat equals 200 milligrams. Therefore, a diamond weighing 0.2 grams will contain 20 carats.
On average, a diamond weighs 0.20 carats. However, diamonds can weigh anywhere from 0.10 carats to over 10 carats. This means that a diamond can be smaller or bigger than other stones.
On average, moissanite weighs much less than diamonds. In fact, it is lighter than any gemstone except for cubic zirconia. Therefore, it is perfect for making lightweight jewelry.
Cutting
When cutting diamonds, professionals use special tools to remove impurities. This ensures that the diamond remains pure and flawless. On the other hand, moissanite does not need to undergo this process. Manufacturers make moissanite using heat and pressure. Thus, it is very hard to cut. For example, it takes around 5 hours. All the same, it does not require special tools to do so.
Shapes and Sizes
Moissanite comes in various shapes and sizes. Some of the most common ones include round, pear shape, oval, square, heart shape, marquise shape, cushion shape, emerald shape, and princess shape. While diamonds come in various shapes and sizes, they are mostly round. The most common form is the brilliant-cut. Other forms include the radiant cut, Asscher cut, and fancy cut.
The shape of moissanite depends on its chemical composition. For example, if you want to make an engagement ring, then you should choose moissanite that has a cushion-shaped stone. If you want to make a wedding band, then you should choose oval-shaped moissanite.
Fire and Brilliance
The high refractive index of moissanite makes it shine brighter than diamonds. It also helps in reducing reflection. When light hits a diamond, it reflects some of it back. This causes the diamond to lose brilliance. On the other hand, moissanite absorbs all the light that hits it. As a result, it retains its natural brilliance.
Hardness and Durability
Moissanites are very durable. They resist scratches and cracks easily. Diamond is similar to moissanite because it is also among the hardest substances on earth. However, it is softer than moissanite. This means that moissanite lasts longer than diamonds.
Looking at all these diamond vs moissanite qualities, the writing is on the wall for you to choose. Your engagement ring made of moissanite will give you good value for money.
If you want to buy a diamond engagement ring, then you must know which one is better. Diamonds are more expensive than moissanite. In that case, moissanite is appeared to give jewelry lovers a better option. This is so because it provides diamond-like or even better features and qualities at an affordable cost.