Moissanite Engagement Rings: Out of this World or Just Out of Whack?

Okay but, What is a Moissanite Ring?

Moissanite, or silicon carbide, is a lab-created diamond simulate gemstone. It’s not a diamond, which would be carbon, or a lab diamond. Essentially, it mimics the look of diamonds with a few differences. It has become an increasingly sought-after diamond alternative.

Why are People Loving It?

This gemstone is a hot contender as far as diamond alternatives go. There are subtle differences in the way moissanite looks compared to a diamond and it’s a fraction of the price. If you’re looking for a stone that will be long-lasting and maintain its sparkle, moissanite is your gal.

Lets Talk *Sparkle*

Moissanite is going to deliver, and then some. In certain light and stone clarity, a moissanite stone has an even more vibrant look than a diamond. You see, moissanite has a rainbow refraction that is in high demand by its admirers. On the refraction index scale, moissanite stones are at 2.69, while a diamond is at 2.65. The fire of these stones is a whopping 0.104 vs diamond’s 0.044, so this is where you’ll maybe notice a visual difference between the two.

In terms of wedding or engagement ring design, allowing as much light into the stone as possible is going to make your ring finger glisten like no other. If you’re looking to deceive the eye into thinking it’s a diamond, a bezel or prong setting will give you away, as both either encourage light into the stone or discourage it. Our Clutch setting is perfect to deceive those naysayers.

If you’re into the fire, prong it up, girl! Get as much light into that stone as possible to get your shine on. We love oval moissanite engagement rings in a more traditional setting best. 

How to Clean your Moissanite Engagement Ring:

It’s pretty simple! All you need to do is soak the ring in warm water with mild soap, gently scrub with a toothbrush or cloth, rinse, dry it with a lint-free cloth, and wear it. If it’s been a while or things look a little too complicated, you can always go to your local jeweler for a professional cleaning. No shade in leaving it to professionals!

How Does Moissanite Compare to Diamond?

We mentioned that moissanite is essentially a diamond simulation. We’re not getting all Neo on ya, although these stones could very well have come from The Matrix. The only naturally occurring moissanite that we know of has come from space. Like, they hitched a ride on meteors that found themselves on Earth. Since that doesn’t happen too often, these simulates are made in labs and are pretty visually perfect. The stones are far more uniform than diamonds and are made to exact millimeter sizing. Aside from fire, this is one of the more notable differences to take into account when you’re engagement ring shopping.

The scale on which the stones are measured is not the same as a diamond. Since diamonds are naturally occurring they are sized by carat, aka weight. Because moissanite is lab produced, the stones can be more precise and are usually measured in millimeters, by length and width. You’ll usually see the measurements of the stone when picking them out, but know that moissanite when measured in carat will be a larger size than a diamond will. Moissanite is lighter in weight than diamonds. It’s always best to get the measurements of the stones you’re looking at so you can have a better picture of what you’re getting. 

If you’re the type of person that thinks beauty is in imperfection then moissanite may not be the stone for you. If you’re looking for a major wow factor with your engagement ring, moissanite may be perfect for you! 

Can Moissanite be Swapped for all Diamonds?

No. Moissanite is not greatly available in melee sizes which are used for pavé accents. You’re only going to be able to use this stone for center or larger accent stones. This is something to keep in mind when you’re designing your ring.

How Durable are Moissanite Rings?

In terms of the Mohs scale for hardness, diamonds sit at 10, whereas moissanite is 9.25. So, pretty close and still very strong. When it comes to hardness, moissanite is going to be a lot more durable than, say, cubic zirconia which will cloud fairly quickly and is prone to scratches. 

What Color is Moissanite? 

Technically moissanite is classed as colorless, close to a DEF color diamond. Some moissanite stones are near-colorless that are about the same as a GHI color diamond. Larger colorless moissanite stones will have a yellow or green hue under certain light. Whereas diamonds are more brown or yellow. The color difference is there but not too drastic. You’ll also find that moissanite is rated under the same clarity scale as diamond, if you’re well-versed this should translate well.

Let’s Get to Brass Tacks, How Much Do Moissanite Rings Cost vs Diamond Rings?

Drumroll, please… Moissanite is approximately one-tenth the price of a naturally occurring diamond at the same quality. This diamond alternative will go very easy on your pocketbook.