Moissanite is a mineral that has become very popular in the last decade. You may have heard of moissanite referred to as a substitute for diamonds. Many people refer to them as a more affordable, lab grown alternative to a diamond.
There is much more to the mineral than simply a cheaper diamond. Let’s look at the most important and interesting properties of moissanite and how they complement rings.
What Exactly is Moissanite?
Moissanite is a mineral that was discovered in the end of the 19th century but was not widely used in the jewellery business until the end of the 20th century. It was introduced as a cheaper alternative to diamonds. Their likeness is strong, both in shine and in physical properties, and in fact, the discoverer of moissanite first thought he found regular diamonds. It was a decade later that he differentiated between the two stones.
This mineral is also extremely rare, with its origins being proven to be extraterrestrial and small quantities of moissanite are linked to meteorite crashes on Earth. It is truly a stellar mineral. Virtually all of the moissanite you can find in jewellery shops is actually lab grown but that does not make it in any way inferior to the original.
Diamonds and Moissanite – What are the Differences?
The truth is, moissanite is quite similar to diamonds in its shine, colour and durability. The former often outshines the diamond and it offers a bit of a different hue when pointed toward light. Whether you consider this a good thing or a bad thing is a matter of personal preference.
Additionally, the moissanite mineral, especially the one created in laboratories, is found to feature fewer imperfections than the diamond. If we also have to be downright technical about this – moissanite is not as durable as diamonds, but that is expected.
A Touch of Beauty – but Affordable
Perhaps you have been eyeing that engagement ring with a big natural diamond for a long time, and you have been wondering how long it will take you to save enough to buy it.
Well, moissanite rings are a significantly cheaper version of diamond rings, and they come with no compromise in terms of beauty. In fact, unless your partner is a jewellery guru, chances are they will never know the difference between the two types of rings. It will make them smile and hug you regardless.
If you are not a slave to the idea that an engagement ring should be as expensive as possible, then you should look at a few moissanite ring options. You might be surprised at how well they fit your needs.
Gold or Silver Moissanite Ring?
The eternal question of what goes better with a certain precious stone. The answer we suggest is remarkably simple, and it is actually the answer that most people would give when choosing any type of mineral for their ring.
It goes well with both. Its colour can be a spectacular touch to both silver and gold, so the actual choice would depend heavily on two things: personal preference and design.
Is Moissanite Lower Quality?
Since it is made in a lab, it must be, right? Not at all.
Moissanite is just as high-quality as any diamond you find in jewellery shops. The fact that it is made in a laboratory does not diminish its value in any way. The truth is, lab grown minerals are fierce contenders to mined minerals, and there is no compromise in terms of quality.
Environmentally Friendly
Another big plus of moissanite rings is that by buying them, you are actually choosing an option that is easy on the environment. Lab grown minerals have much less of a carbon footprint and they do not rely on hard or forced labor which is often the case for mines around the world.
By choosing a precious stone grown in a lab, you are in no way making a compromise in terms of any of the important characteristics of that stone. You are choosing a modern, environmentally friendly and cheaper option for your ring, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Meteoritic Rings
If you are still wondering if moissanite is for you, think about the fact that it quite literally comes from space. Now that is a cool gift, is it not?
Of course, the moissanite ring you will buy is not going to be a mineral that came from a meteorite, but those are almost impossible to come by. But the forefather of all lab grown moissanite is still their cosmic ancestor.
A Matter of Perception
It is no secret a great deal of the thought that goes into the decision-making process of choosing a ring is heavily based on perception. We are influenced by commercials, videos, movies and books, and they all speak of natural diamonds as something extraordinary and irreplaceable.
It is all a matter of taking a certain point of view. There are no properties of diamonds that make them in any way a superior choice when faced against moissanite, it is all personal preference and perception. In fact, if you think about the benefits brought by choosing moissanite, especially the benefits for your budget, then you might as well go for it.
If you are worried about what your partner will think of the ring when they find out that it is “not a real diamond”, the truth is that moissanite is still a great choice for any occasion and it will certainly complement the beauty of your partner with amazing shine and elegance.
