Did you know that diamonds were not the first choice for diamond rings until the late 1940s? Although other gemstones were used before the popularity of diamond rings in the 1940s, diamonds have become a classic choice for engaged couples.
Ever since diamonds have become popular for engagement rings, the industry has boomed. The diamond market was valued at 89 billion US dollars in 2019 and has continued to grow.
However, a new gemstone has become increasingly popular as diamonds are famously expensive and hard to come by. Moissanite rings are a gorgeous alternative to diamond rings and come with many benefits comparable to diamonds.
Keep reading to learn more about moissanite rings, diamond rings, and how to find the perfect ring for your partner.
What Is Moissanite?
Moissanite is a gemstone that was discovered from a meteorite that fell to earth in 1893 and created a crater. The French scientist who discovered this gem, Dr. Henry Moissan, first believed he had found diamonds but discovered that wasn’t the case. He received a Nobel Prize for his findings and the stone was named after him.
The gemstone is a mineral made up of silicon carbide and has many similarities to a diamond. It became an engagement ring option in 1998 when it hit the market and has surged in popularity ever since.
Similarities Between Moissanite and Diamond
The first similarity between these two gemstones is their rating on the Mohs hardness scale. Diamonds are known for being a 10 on the scale—the hardest and most durable mineral on the planet. This is one of the reasons why they’re so expensive and have become an engagement ring favorite.
Moissanite’s Mohs rating is between 9.25 and 9.5. This means that moissanite is durable and ideal for daily wear, just like diamonds. This also means that you’ll never have to worry about a diamond or a moissanite gemstone losing its shine over time.
The second similarity is the brilliance of the gem. Diamonds are known for their impeccable shine and sparkle. But what’s interesting is that Moissanite’s refraction index is higher than a natural diamond. This means moissanite shines and sparkles as beautifully (if not more) than a diamond.
It’s important to note that the colors and faceting patterns are different. For example, a diamond tends to give off a white light, while moissanite will reflect a yellow or green tint in the light. The reflection of the moissanite tends to look more like a rainbow or a disco ball.
A major similarity is that both of these gems are rare. Naturally made diamonds have been mined for years and as a result, have become rare. Moissanite is also rare to find naturally made because it came from a single meteorite and isn’t mineable.
Moissanite gems are often confused with diamonds due to the similarities in hardness, brilliance, and color. However, there are some differences between the two to consider.
Differences Between Moissanite Rings and Diamond Rings
The first and most important difference between the two gems is the price. Diamonds are extremely desired, especially for engagement rings. Because of this, as well as the desirable qualities of the gemstone, they are expensive. The high demand for a diamond ring increases the price—along with the desired sizes and cuts.
Lab-curated diamonds are much more affordable than naturally made diamonds. However, they are still more expensive than moissanite because of the high demand for diamonds in general.
Moissanite is much more affordable. A moissanite gem cut to the same size and shape as a diamond will have a drastic pricing difference. Depending on the quality, carat, size, and cut of the stone, moissanite will be a much more affordable choice.
Another difference between the two stones is that Moissanite is more lightweight than diamond. This not only means that it’s lighter on your finger, but that the comparable carat and size of the stone will be larger than a diamond.
In addition to weight, moissanite is a bit softer than diamond. This means that it’s more possible to scratch a moissanite diamond than a real diamond. Although this is true, moissanite is still incredibly durable and with a little bit of extra care, can last you decades through your marriage.
An unforgettable difference between the two is that moissanite is more customizable. When comparing a naturally mined diamond and a lab-made Moissanite, you will have a much easier time finding the perfect shape and size for a ring.
Why Are Moissanite Rings So Popular?
If Moissanite is not a real diamond, why has it become so popular? Doesn’t everyone dream of a real diamond ring?
Moissanite has become popular for multiple reasons. One of the main reasons is that it tends to have a more brilliant shine than a diamond—whether the diamond is lab-made or naturally mined. The colored sparkle is a desirable trait of this gemstone.
Moissanite has also become a popular favorite because of its price. An affordable ring is always a favorite choice—especially when you’re able to completely customize the ring, without veering off of your desired budget.
The best part about this budget-friendly gemstone is that the quality of the stone isn’t compromised. The durability of a moissanite stone makes it that much more attractive to purchase. By purchasing a moissanite ring, you’re receiving the best benefits of a diamond ring, without having to overspend for a real diamond ring.
Another desirable factor about moissanite rings is the origin of this gemstone. Found from a meteorite, the stone “comes from the stars”. This creates a romantic theme around the gemstone, making it a desirable engagement ring for those marrying their soulmate.
Moissanite is sometimes known as “the star diamond” or stardust. Its rarity in nature and origin makes this a romantic gemstone. No wonder people love moissanite!
Benefits of Moissanite Rings
Although moissanite is incredibly rare to find, scientists have perfected a moissanite gemstone when creating it in a lab. This means that all of the favorable qualities of moissanite are included in every single stone.
Some additional qualities are that it’s less likely to attract dirt and dust. This means you can go longer between professional cleanings. Another great benefit to moissanite is that it can resist heat damage and can survive extreme temperatures. It’s an incredibly durable stone!
Moissanite can be traced back to its origins since it has been created in a lab. This means you’ll be able to find out how and when the gemstone was created. Knowing the origins of your ring may make it much more sentimental for you and create a meaningful experience when buying the ring.
Celebrating your love story with a ring often includes the thought that goes into choosing a ring for a partner. When choosing moissanite in your ring, the time, effort, and thought that went into finding the perfect ring will be so much more meaningful.
To the untrained eye, moissanite can look exactly like a diamond. Having a ring that is durable for everyday wear and never loses its shine are extremely desirable traits in an engagement ring. A moissanite gemstone may have everything you’re looking for, without having to break the bank.
Does a Real Diamond Really Matter?
Everyone is different when it comes to imagining their ideal engagement ring. Some people see and understand the value of purchasing a real diamond, while others favor a beautiful ring, no matter the gemstone. The more informed you are on the gemstone, the better your decision on a ring will be.
It’s best to consider your priorities of a ring before purchasing one and understand where and how your desired gemstone was curated. With moissanite, you can rest assured that you are paying a budget-friendly price for a gorgeous and sparkly ring. If you prioritize your budget above all else, but you want a sparkly and durable ring, it’s possible to have the best of both worlds.
It all comes down to your preference. If having a real diamond ring is your dream, we can certainly make that happen for you. If you’d like to explore other options, there are many other choices to look for.
Whether a real diamond matters to you or not, nothing will ever beat a customizable ring.
The Process of Purchasing a Customized Ring
Now that you understand the benefits of moissanite or lab-curated diamond rings, it’s time to tell you your options for customizing a ring.
Here at Finer Jewelry, we offer customizable rings. This means you’re able to create the exact ring your partner has in mind. You can make their dreams come true and bring tears to their eyes with the perfect ring to say ‘yes’ to.
We’ll explain the process of creating a customized ring and what you can expect when working with us.
1. Consultation
The first step of the process is scheduling a consultation. This is where you’ll discuss your ideas with the jeweler to curate the perfect ring. This is also the perfect time for us to tell you more about our process and to explain how we’re able to bring your ideas to fruition.
2. Pick Your Gems
Once you have met with your jeweler, they will provide you with their knowledge on gemstones to help you meet your budget-goal, while helping you choose from our collection of gemstones and diamonds. We will then create a mock-up of the ring to show you at a second meeting.
3. Moving Forward With the Design
You will be able to see the mock-up our team creates to approve the design. This curates a hands-on experience for you and will ensure you’re happy about the design you’ve chosen.
It’s important for us that you’re informed about our process, along with other vital information that will help you choose the right design. Our blog offers helpful information for you to get started before booking a consultation. This can help you finalize a design and feel good about the choices you’ve made.
4. Revealing Your Ring
After it’s approved, the ring will be hand-crafted right here in the United States and will be beautifully wrapped for gifting when it’s finished.
What Are the Benefits?
Our diamonds pass the GIA standard, a standard for how a diamond is curated, ensuring the excellent quality of the gemstone. The rings are hand-made here in the United States, making your customized ring one-of-a-kind. All of our gemstones used to create beautiful engagement rings meet our high standards to deliver you the most beautiful ring.
Try not to cry when reading the love stories that vouch for the wonderful work we strive to do to make your proposal day the best day of your life.
The biggest benefit of choosing us to create your ideal ring is that our main priority is you, the client. Instead of selling you mass-produced rings, we help implement the uniqueness of your love story to your desired ring. We care about educating ourselves and our clients on rings and making the best decisions that will benefit you as the client.
You can read more about us and our story to understand the full benefits of working with us.
The Perfect Ring
We understand the time and thought that go into choosing the perfect ring for your partner. We also understand the uniqueness of every client and the importance of making their dreams come true.
Choosing the perfect gemstone also comes with an understanding of the stone’s source and why it’s the perfect stone for your ring. Consider choosing moissanite rings when shopping for the perfect ring.
Contact us to book a consultation today to get started on your ring journey!