If you’ve been thinking about getting a moissanite gemstone for your engagement ring, you aren't alone. Many people are opting to get a moissanite gemstone due to its beauty, availability, and price tag. But what makes moissanites different from other gemstones?
Moissanites are great alternatives to diamonds without sacrificing the classic diamond look that you know and love. In this blog, we’ll go over what makes it different and why you should consider moissanite for your engagement ring.
History
In 1893, French scientist Henry Moissan discovered microscopic particles of a very strong gemstone in a meteorite located in Arizona. Initially, he thought they were diamonds. Later on, he discovered they weren’t diamonds but were made of silicon carbide.
Moissanite is naturally occurring but is very rare. When it’s found in nature, it’s in meteorites and diamonds mines. Since it so rarely occurs in nature, scientists found a way to create it in a laboratory setting.
The moissanite gemstone was first used in jewellery in 1998. Its brilliance, durability, and price tag make it a very popular choice for engagement rings and fine jewellery. The gemstone earned the nickname “space diamond” because of its reputation and history.
Moissanite isn’t a replication or substitute for diamonds, as it’s its gemstone. Moissanite is created to resemble diamonds, but it has different characteristics.
Brilliance
When referring to brilliance, you’re looking at the “sparkle” or light reflection from the stone’s surface. Moissanites are very brilliant gemstones, with a refractive index of 2.65-2.69. To compare, this is higher than most diamonds at 2.41. They are exceptionally sparkly and can reflect rainbows of light.
Because they’re so bright, moissanites are a good choice if you want a dramatic clear gemstone. The larger the moissanite, the brighter it’ll appear.
Durability
On the Moh’s Scale of Hardness, moissanites fall very close to the top at a 9.25. This means they are very hard gemstones, which makes them durable for everyday wear. Even if the stone is struck on an edge, they are very unlikely to crack. They’re also very heat resistant and won’t become cloudy over time.
Colour
Moissanites look clear, but just like diamonds, they can have a yellowish or greyish hue. The larger the moissanite, the more noticeable the colour will be. Moissanites are graded on clarity and colour. The more premium moissanites lack colour, while lower-quality moissanites have more noticeable colour.
Price
The price of your moissanites depends on their quality and size. Super-premium moissanites are the most expensive, while premium moissanites are less so. Because of the amount of time and effort that goes into creating them at a lab, they aren’t cheap gemstones, but they are typically less expensive than diamonds per carat and clarity classification.
Sourcing
Moissanites are always created in a lad due to their natural scarcity. Because they’re not mined, you can rest assured that your moissanite was ethically sourced. It also makes it very easy to trace them back to their original origin. Moissanites leaves a small carbon footprint and is a responsible gemstone choice.
Now that you know what a moissanites is, you can see why people everywhere are choosing moissanites for their engagement rings.
Visit our online store to pick out your perfect moissanite jewellery today.
