What Is Moissanite?
Moissanite is an affordable diamond simulant that’s becoming a popular alternative for engagement rings and jewelry thanks to its alluring flashes of color and price point. Just like diamonds, rubies, and sapphires, moissanite is graded based on several quality factors known as the 4C’s.
Natural moissanite is incredibly rare, so moissanite available today is laboratory-created. After many years of trial and error, the particles Moissan discovered were successfully synthesized to produce what is now one of the world’s most scintillating gemstones.
Thinking about buying a Moissanite ring and want to know what you should look for? You’re in good company. Many couples today choose Moissanite engagement rings or moissanite wedding bands due to their beauty, affordability, and sustainability. But, there are a few catches to getting it right. Read on to learn what to make sure you ask for in your Moissanite engagement ring!
Is a Moissanite a real diamond?
No, Moissanite is its own gemstone. This means that Moissanite sparkles differently, has a different hardness, and a different chemical makeup than Diamond. Practically, Moissanite has much more colored sparkle (“fire”) than a Diamond, it is a 9.25 on the hardness scale (Diamond is a 10), and Moissanite is carbon silicate (whereas Diamond is pure carbon). This means your Moissanite will repel dirt and oil better than a diamond!
In addition, Moissanite is a man-made gemstone, meaning it can be cut in any size or shape you want! Natural diamonds are limited to the size and shape the Earth grows them. So, choosing a Moissanite for your engagement ring center stone gives you a ton of flexibility. It is also super sustainable – no mining is needed when you choose Moissanite!
Will you regret Moissanite?
Not if you love Moissanite for what it is, instead of what it isn’t. We have thousands of happy Moissanite customers! Couples who choose Moissanite because they like the super-firey look of it, or who love that it is super sustainable, will love their Moissanite forever. On the other hand, those who purchase Moissanite for the sole intent of trying to “pass it off” as a Diamond may wish they had that Diamond in the long run.
Can you tell a moissanite from a diamond?
The most effective way to tell moissanite apart from a diamond is to use a loupe to look through the top, or the crown, of the jewel at an angle. You will see two slightly blurred lines that indicates a double refraction, an inherent quality of moissanite. Double refraction is easier to see in some shapes than others.
Does moissanite lose its sparkle?
Moissanite will not lose its sparkle as time passes. The clarity and color of the stone won’t change through the years. Dirt and grime are the only common elements that may inhibit a ring’s sparkle until it is cleaned. Damaging the surface of moissanite can inhibit sparkle, as it would for any gemstone.
What is the best grade of moissanite?
Knowing moissanite grades is valuable for shoppers because the knowledge to fully understand the characteristics they want their stone to have, allows them to shop with confidence.
While ideal grades can vary by a person’s taste, we recommend getting a colorless moissanite with D to F color grades, clarity grades that fall from FL to VS1, and has an Excellent or Very Good cut grade. With these desirable grades, you will be sure to have an exceptionally beautiful moissanite stone.