I know the old saying goes that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but is moissanite actually what we’re all really looking for?
The world of gemstones welcomed the discovery of moissanite in 1906. Henri Moissan (a Nobel Prize winner) discovered a significant quantity of silicon carbide (Moissanite) occurring naturally within the perimeter of a meteorite impact site. At the time a lot of people believed that it had come from space but the truth is a bit less ‘out there’ than that.
The compound actually exists naturally all over the world. It can also be ‘cooked’ in a lab, if you have the right ingredients and equipment.
So what does make moissanite so special?
Moissanite rings have become increasingly popular with couples looking for a bright, durable stone with exceptional sparkle.
One of the biggest reasons is that it is comparable with diamonds in terms of colour, density, radiance and toughness, but at a lower price point. It also has a really beautiful sparkle that makes it something really special – in contrast to a diamond’s white refraction, moissanite gives off a rainbow-coloured refraction.
Is a Moissanite gemstone expensive?
Considering the weight ratio, a small diamond can costs the same as a much bigger moissanite stone, making it a good choice for individuals and couples who want to save money, don’t have credit score to finance diamond jewellery, or who are looking for bad credit engagement ring financing alternatives.
Although moissanite is not a substitute for diamond, it has carved-out its own niche of customers in the world of gemstones and unlike diamonds, it is more widely available for a significantly lowered price tag.
Gemstone experts often describe moissanite as a jewel with no ethical baggage, unlike diamond which has ethical considerations to keep in mind like its mining techniques, underpayment of miners or environmental degradation. So buying moissanite satisfies the desire for a beautiful gem stone, without the ethical concerns. Some even say there is no better definition of a dream come true. It ticks all the boxes.
Opting for the perfect moissanite gemstone
Like diamonds, moissanites are colour-coded with the gold-standard of moissanite being the forever brilliant colour-code.
The stone is 100% colourless and closest in appearance to diamonds. Although, other colour tints or variants are available across the spectrum, it is worth noting that these colour qualities are graded according to letters of the alphabet.
The colourless group is represented by D to F, semi-coloured stones fall between category G and I while the colour-coded category is represented by alphabets J and K.
Gemstone experts are constantly working towards mixing the colours of moissanite stones, making them available in multiple colours. So, if you ever have plans to sweep someone special off their feet or brighten up their world, you don’t have to overthink your options. Simply walk into a jewellery store nearby or one you are familiar with and purchase that beautiful and perfectly carved moissanite gemstone.
Disclosure: this is a collaborative post