I keep hearing about moissanite engagement rings, and now I can see why. Wow.
Some say your engagement ring is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your life. It’ll be with you forever, and you wear it every day. It’s a symbol of your love, after all. But, especially these days, it’s also a symbol of your standards.
While historically diamonds have been associated with high standards, things are changing. Lately, the young, modern, socially conscious set care much more about the ethics of their decisions. More than ever before, research is going into the background of purchases, and the effect that they have on the environment, the workers involved, and even the local economy.
Whether or not you think it’s one of the most important decisions you’ll make, I’m sure we agree that it’s a huge decision. To help you make a choice that aligns with who you are, we present to you moissanite engagement rings.
It’s gorgeous, eco-conscious, and you won’t be able to tell the difference between a moissanite engagement ring and one made of real diamonds.
Moissanite Engagement Rings Are Giving Diamonds A Run For Their Money
I’ve always known that there are alternatives to diamond engagement rings, but moissanite rings are the first I’ve come across that feel like a viable option. While the cost of a diamond is much higher than moissanite, the value and the look doesn’t justify the additional cost.
Because of this, it’s becoming more and more challenging to feel ok about the cost of real diamonds.
What Is Moissanite?
Moissanite is popular with experienced, discerning jewelry enthusiasts who know what they’re talking about.
Originally, it was a mineral discovered in a meteorite in 1893 by a man named Henri Moissan. He mistook the crystals for diamonds. Eventually, he identified them as silicon carbide. Since then, moissanite has been found in more meteorites, as well as the earth’s crust.
Naturally occurring moissanite is incredibly rare. Because of this, to source it from its original state would present the same ethical dilemma as diamonds. However, chemists refined artificial moissanite by the mid-1990s enough to produce it synthetically.
From there, jewellers could start to use the synthetic version without depleting its stores from the earth. In addition to this, there was also the added benefit of the cost. Moissanite is, on average, 1/10 the price of a diamond.
So when it comes to the moissanite vs diamonds conversation, it’s easy to see why the decision is becoming more and more simple.
Moissanite Vs Diamonds: What’s The Difference?
When it comes to the difference between moissanite and diamond rings, there are a lot of factors to consider. Yes, moissanite is less expensive than diamonds, but what do you sacrifice?
Moissanite Vs Lab Diamonds
There’s such a thing as a “lab-grown” diamond which is marketed to be more ethical than one mined from the earth. And while lab-grown diamonds and lab-grown moissanite may seem to share a lot of properties, we assure you there are differences which will help you make your decision.
Why Have Moissanite Rings Become So Popular?
So why have moissanite rings become to popular with a younger crowd seeking a more economical, eco-friendly, and socially conscious engagement ring? Let’s take a look at some of the main factors to consider.
They Are Tough And Durable
Your ring is a treasure you’ll hold on to for a lifetime. Because of this, you want something sturdy. Traditionally, this is why a diamond seems the optimal choice: it’s a 10/10 hardness, which means that it will not scratch and will last a lifetime.
However, the ‘hardness scale’ is also in favour of moissanite. While a diamond is a solid 10/10 in hardness, moissanite is a 9.25 – 9.5. Not bad, right? These gems are about as durable as they come. No matter what life brings, you’ve got a solid rock on your finger that will stand the test of time no matter what you put it through.
The Quality For The Price Is Unparalleled
The price tag of moissanite alone is one of its most attractive qualities. Much less expensive than a diamond, this stone sacrifices essentially nothing in detail and quality. With a ‘refractive index’ of 2.65 – 2.69, moissanite’s sparkle is nearly indistinguishable from a diamond with a refractive index of 2.42. In fact, when most people are put to the test, they find it very challenging to tell the difference between the two stones.
Diamonds are super expensive to both find and produce. It takes a lot to either mine a diamond, or to make one in a lab. With moissanite, the cost is significantly less. This allows you to save some of your wedding budget… for the honeymoon.
Moissanite Is More Environmentally And Socially Conscious
A lot of people in recent years are seriously considering the impact of their purchases on both the environment, as well as social issues. The same goes for brides and grooms who want to ensure their wedding is having the smallest footprint possible. Because moissanite is lab-created, you don’t need to concern yourself with where your stone is coming from. According to the owner of TOVAA, a popular moissanite jewelry store “The current generation is more socially aware of the harmful practices of diamond mining and it’s showing. 1-in-10 brides currently choose moissanite as their ring of choice. We expect that trend to continue growing in the years to come.”
Moissanite comes with an assurance that neither people nor our environment were harmed at any point in the creation of the stones.
We hope this has helped clear some things up about moissanite rings. Best of luck to you on your decision. May your wedding be fun, and your ring be forever.