Buying an engagement ring is a big decision that often requires a bigger budget. To a greater extent, couples are considering alternatives to traditional diamond rings, looking for unique settings and non-traditional stones that better suit their desire for something uniquely personal yet affordable. Moissanite engagement rings as an alternative to diamonds; are an example of them as they appear on the bridal jewelry scene as the ideal choice for women who need a diamond appearance but don’t want to pay the diamond cost.
According to a 2018 study by a wedding planning website “The Knot” couples spent an average of $ 5,680 on their engagement rings over the past year. That estimate seems conservative, but considering the average price of a one-carat diamond can go as high as $ 16,000 for a perfect stone of the highest quality of color, clarity, and cut. Sinking into a slightly lower quality rock could cut costs by about half, but there are other options to consider.
Moissanite is a naturally found crystalline form of silicon carbide, even though it is very rarely found in nature as has been found in meteorites. Instead, it is synthesized in the laboratory and then cut and matched with jewelry. Although moissanite differs chemically and in composition from diamond, however, it has many visual similarities. In terms of brilliance, moissanite has a higher refractive index than diamond. Moissanite is also comparable to diamond in terms of hardness, which means that it is remarkably durable – enough to withstand years of daily wear and tear. Besides, the stone is environmentally conscious and conflict-free, not to mention that it is much cheaper than diamonds.
Moissanite has stimulated the curiosity of many women, but even with a basic knowledge of the stone’s qualities, many questions remain unanswered. For answers, TZR spoke with moissanite expert and East-West Gem Company founder and CEO Brena Leiden. Her Los Angeles-based jewelry brand specializes in handcrafted moissanite cuts that can transform even the toughest of diamonds. Read below as it summarizes everything you need to know about the popular diamond alternative.
Moissanite Vs. Diamond
Moissanite is not a fake diamond, but a gemstone and its chemical composition, “explained Lyden. Zirconia is a more well-known diamond alternative, but it does not have the same unique properties as moissanite. For a long time, there were no genuine alternative options to diamonds. A stone-like CZ fades away over time. Moissanite also has less diamond-blue base and does not shine like diamonds, and is not hard enough to last a lifetime. Moissanite is rigid, never tarnishes or loses its shines, and thanks; to innovative patterns facet, moissanite looks identical to a diamond.
In terms of distinguishing stones from the naked eye, Lyden noted that the difference lies in the facets of the individual stone, not in the material. Since moissanite is lighter than diamonds, she often offers her customers the choice of a less flashy cut. The ice-crushed pattern with fantastic cuts like pear, oval, pillow, jet, and windmill in multilevel chunks like ash, emerald, and baguette make each center stone is truly unique and more like a diamond.
The 4 C’s
Diamonds are usually gets measured in carats, which is a type of weight. Since moissanite is lighter than diamond, So it is measured by the size of the stone. Most of the jewelers use the carat conversion because a lot of the diamonds cut flat to give more finger coverage and sell more,” said Lydon. It can also affect the brilliance of a diamond because you are not hewing for the best shine but the best edges. With moissanite, you pay for the size, and the stone is always; cut for optimal result.
As for color, like diamonds, moissanite is most traditionally a clear-white color but also comes during a range of bright colors like yellow, blue, and black. And, because moissanite is generally composed in a lab, its clarity is often tightly controlled. As for the cut, Lyden notes, the financial aspect of cutting for the most significant profit is not an element of love is in diamonds. Alexandersparks.com believes more about the facet pattern and right combination of depth and table to urge the foremost brilliant, diamond-looking moissanite possible.
Sharon Trusty is a fashion blog author who has been writing about her own style and other people’s styles for more than eight years. She likes to share her thoughts on all sorts of topics, from dating to make-up tutorials to what she should wear today, and everything in between.
