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Do You Need an Alternative to Blood Diamonds? Consider Moissanite

Do you want to propose to your spouse or prepare your wedding but don’t know the ideal ring to select? Maybe your family members and friends have advised you to purchase a diamond ring, but you do not have up to $5,000 to splash on one. Of course, they mean you well and want your wedding to be the talk of the town, but forking out thousands of dollars on a 1.5-carat diamond ring doesn’t fit in your budget. Needless to say, the wedding plan must go on. So, what do you do? In that case, a moissanite gemstone may be the holy grail you seek.

Besides, you want a gemstone with an ethical background; not one mined through tears, blood, and conflict. Blood diamonds have a history of violence and human rights violations, especially in Africa and South America. Additionally, purchasing a lab-grown diamond does not come cheap. If you are on a budget, then moissanite is your ideal alternative.

Discovering Moissanite – How it All Started

There is always an origin to everything, and the same applies to moissanite. In 1893, Henri Moissan, a French chemist and pharmacist, discovered moissanite in Arizona’s meteor crash site. Due to the circumstances surrounding its history, most people assumed that it had close ties with an extra-terrestrial body. However, that is not the case. Other places across the globe house this mineral’s formation, known as Silicon Carbide (SiC); this mineral is one of the most hardened ceramics in existence. In the 90s, scientists found a way to convert this precious mineral into large moissanite crystals using Lely Method.

On the other hand, diamond has been widely used for centuries, from its first discovery and mining in India, over two millennia ago. However, throughout history, many miners have undergone great ordeal to mine these gemstones, excluding the civil unrest and war they have wrought in Africa and South America. Hence, most people steer clear from “blood” diamonds.

Why Moissanite?

Blood diamonds have a gruesome history, and lab diamonds are not cheap, either. Hence, the alternative to these sets of gemstones is moissanite. Although most people consider moissanite gemstones to be replicas, they are unique jewels with value and top properties. In actuality, this precious stone is gaining a strong foothold in the jewel market, as most of its consumers place high demands consistently.

If you want a piece of jewellery that is within your budget, consider purchasing a moissanite gemstone. Its affordability does not make it inferior to diamonds. On the contrary, moissanite has more brilliance than its counterpart, thanks to its “double refractive” properties. It reflects more fire, thereby giving it more sparkle. Hence, people are more likely to notice your moissanite wedding ring than one made with a diamond.

Choosing Your Moissanite Gemstone?

Moissanite comes in various cuts, shapes, and colours. Each tint represents gemstone quality. As the crystal gravitates to total transparency, it displays a more exceptional value.  In its initial state, a moissanite gemstone has a grey or green tint. However, Charles & Colvard introduced Forever Brilliant®, a set of entirely colourless crystals that look exactly like diamonds. Hence, you can rock a priceless piece of moissanite jewellery without breaking the bank.