Get more for less with moissanite!

The time has come to pop the question to your beloved, and what worse time for this to happen than when your budget is looking a bit less than ideal? Don’t panic – the days of diamonds being the only option for engagement rings are far behind us. Ever heard of moissanite, the equally durable, equally strong and even-shinier-than-a-diamond stone that is taking the jewellery world by storm? Hold on to your hat, because everything is about to change!

Where does moissanite come from?

Many online sources will have you believe that the answer to this question is “from the stars”, but this is disappointingly not the case.

French scientist, Henri Moissan, discovered the first deposit of what we have come to know as moissanite near the impact site of a meteorite, giving rise to rumours and theories about its galactic origins. However, the compound from which moissanite is processed is silicon carbide, a compound which, although rare, is found right here on earth.

Why is it cheap if it is scarce?

Let’s first define the word “cheap”. If you are expecting to pay flea market prices for Moissanite, you are setting yourself up for major disappointment. Although these stones are significantly cheaper than diamonds, they are still a gemstone in their own right, and not just a knock-off. The reason that Moissanite can boast such competitive pricing, is because it is 100% lab produced, under strict licensing. This takes all the costs related to mining out of the equation, with the added bonus that moissanite is far kinder on the environment. More ethical, at a better price – what’s not to like?

What value can I expect from my moissanite?

When you buy a moissanite, don’t expect it to be a diamond – it is not. It is a completely different and independently valuable stone, which happens to be hugely similar to diamonds in many ways, but it is important that you are aware of what sets them apart. The most significant difference is the refraction abilities of each stone. While diamonds are only single refractive, meaning that they reflect the same amount of light that they let in, moissanite is double refractive, and refract double the light that enters the stone. As a result, moissanites are much more vibrantly dazzling to view! The fact that the faceting of the two stones is slightly different creates a slight variation on how the two stones display their optical qualities.

In terms of the colour variations that are available across the two types of stones, moissanite is of such a nature that it bends the rays of light that enter it to make the stone seem very colourful, shining light in a rainbow effect, where diamonds tend to be more monochromatic, which gives it a more classic appearance. The exquisite refractive properties of moissanite are truly something spectacular to witness, and the amount of dazzle you get for the relatively low price when compared to diamonds, is definitely something that cannot be beaten.