Moissanite Gaining Dominance In The Engagement World
It is every girl’s dream to own a diamond, so much that it is known to be a girl’s best friend - you may have heard that a thousand times. So, where does that leave moissanite? This gemstone does not pale in comparison to diamonds and finds its way into many weddings and proposal dates. It would suffice to say that moissanites have gained a foothold in the engagement world for the past 20 years or more. However, it is not uncommon to find some people with contrasting opinions about this mineral.
In reality, people attach value to items based on how they view them. Hence, to some, a moissanite ring is no different from a Ring Pop candy. Otherwise, these rings are the closest alternative to diamonds, and in some cases, outperforms the latter. Besides, it is budget-friendly - a factor you may consider ideal. You can “wow” your significant other with a cheap but beautiful engagement ring or wedding ring without breaking a bank. In this guide, I will walk you through all you need to know about these precious stones.
The History Of Moissanites
Interestingly, unlike diamonds, moissanites have extraterrestrial origins - yes, you heard that right. In the late 1800s, Dr Henri Moissan, the 1906 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry, discovered the naturally occurring silicon carbide in a crash site resulting from the meteor impact in Arizona. However, in 1998, Charles & Colvard had the patents to grow these carbide gemstones, which saw their first entry into the jewellery market. To date, it is the only company that produce and market these breath-taking “Star Dusts”.
Shopping For A Moissanite Ring - Where Do You Begin?
As a smart shopper in search of the ideal engagement ring for your spouse-to-be, a moissanite ring would be a right call - except you have tons of cash to splash on its expensive counterpart - a diamond ring. These days, more lab-grown diamonds are flooding the marketing, drastically tipping consumer’s demand for both “conflict-free” and “blood” diamonds in a downward spiral.
Couples now have multiple choices - go for the naturally mined diamonds, synthetic diamonds: real diamonds produced under a different environment, or Moissanite, a gemstone that bears similarities with Diamonds and is in no way inferior to the latter, depending on the buyer’s perception.
Does That Make Moissanites Valuable?
In its initial state and with the right conditions, silicon carbide grows to form large crystals, which are then cut into smaller moissanite stones. Charles & Colvard is the only authorised moissanite gemstone producer. All other dealers get the precious material from this company. However, the sales of moissanite “knock-offs” on several e-commerce websites, mostly by foreign companies, calls for concerns. Moissanite has a Mohs scale hardness of 9.5, next to diamond - 10; this makes it an ideal alternative for jewellery buyers.
Moisannites are as durable and attractive as diamonds. Surprisingly, they have a higher refractive index, which means that they sparkle more than its cousin. To clarify all misconceptions, they are not diamonds, but a unique set of gemstones that you can appreciate for their rarity, uniqueness, and beauty. Your moissanite engagement ring will last a lifetime, as it is impervious to damage.
When compared to diamond, moissanites appear more brilliant; they disperse more light in rainbow colours than other gemstones. The typical cost of a one-carat moissanite engagement ring sits between $300 and $400. Anything less than that price range for the carat weight is likely a fake. You can rock your moissanite rings without environmental or ethical worries.
