Diamond Vs Moissanite
Advantages of Moissanite
Ethical |
Value |
Durability |
| Because they are created in a lab, they have minimal environmental impact | Moissanite have similar look to diamonds with much lower price tag | Moissanite scores 9.25 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness making them suitable for everyday wear. |
What is Moissanite?
Moissanite and diamonds are two popular choices for engagement rings, but they differ in several ways. Moissanite is a naturally occurring mineral called silicon carbide, which is very rare and cannot be found in nature large enough to be cut into even a one-carat gemstone. This means that the moissanite used in fine jewelry is created in a lab.
Price
One of the biggest advantages of moissanite over diamonds is the price. A moissanite gem is approximately one-tenth the cost of a mined diamond of equal size and quality. The value of moissanite is even greater with larger carat weights. If you want a large carat, white gemstone, but you don’t have the money for a large diamond, moissanite is the way to go. In fact, lower quality, smaller diamonds tend to cost more than higher quality, larger moissanite stones.
Durability
Both moissanite and diamonds are durable, but diamonds are known for their durability. They are the hardest naturally occurring mineral and can withstand almost any kind of wear and tear. However, they are not unbreakable, and a diamond can still break or chip. Still, they are an ideal choice for everyday wear, especially for an engagement ring. Moissanite is the second hardest gemstone to diamonds on the Mohs hardness scale. Based on rankings from one to 10, diamonds are a 10 and moissanite is a 9.25-9.5. Moissanite is a very durable option for an engagement ring stone, especially since the material doesn't scratch easily.
Brilliance and Fire
Moissanite has more brilliance than diamonds, in general. It has more fire and brilliance than any other gemstone, meaning it has more sparkle. Because moissanite is double refractive, it is cut differently than diamonds to enhance the sparkle. Moissanite has over twice the dispersion value of a diamond, which means that it has a greater fire (or display of spectral colors) that is visible when you rotate the stone. The result is a rainbow-like effect, while diamonds reflect whiter light.
Color
Both moissanite and diamonds can be colorless or have some color to them. Moissanite has traditionally carried a yellowish or greenish tint to it. However, manufacturers have been perfecting the creation process over time, and you can now get high-quality moissanite that is colorless. Diamond color can vary greatly. Diamond color is graded on a scale of D-Z, with D being colorless and Z being a light yellow or brown (with those beyond Z being fancy color diamonds). So, diamonds can be everything from colorless to yellow, pink, blue, green, red, or brown.
At Magdalene Pivoine, we only carry gemstones with VS1 and up clarity and D and E colors. All our stones come with IGI or GIA certification.
Shopping for Moissanite
While shopping for moissanite is like shopping for any other gemstone, there are a few things to keep in mind. The most important aspect to remember is that you can find high-quality moissanite for a reasonable price, so don’t settle for a stone that has visible imperfections in clarity or color. While moissanite can have inclusions, you should be able to find a stone that is eye clean. Look for that high degree of fire, a bright luster, and a good polish with very minimal surface scratches. As usual, shop with a retailer you trust in order to get the most for your money. Moissanite looks good in any setting and pairs well with any other gemstone accents, including diamonds. It’s versatile and easy to play around with, so finding a piece you love shouldn’t be difficult.
Care
In terms of cleaning, you should clean your moissanite ring at least once a month. Prepare a bowl of hot water with a few drops of liquid dish soap or a non-toxic commercial jewelry cleaner, put your ring in the soapy water, and gently clean the gem with a soft-bristled toothbrush. You can either let the ring air dry or gently tap with a paper towel to dry.