Diamonds remain a go-to choice for engagement rings, but moissanite has become an increasingly popular alternative to the classic stone.
While a diamond is a mineral composed of pure carbon, moissanite is a naturally occurring silicon carbide known as a diamond stimulant.
While both stones have a striking resemblance, each comes with unique benefits. It is essential to understand the key differences between moissanite vs diamond engagement rings to determine your right choice.
Price
The price point is one of the most significant differences between these gemstones because moissanite is considerably less expensive than a diamond. Although diamonds are a classic choice for engagement rings, they carry a heavy price tag due to supply and demand.
According to Gem Society's research, moissanite offers significant cost savings because you can purchase a stone at a fraction of the cost of a diamond. Moissanite is generally a fraction of the cost because it has a completely different composition than a diamond and it is grown in a lab. This reduces labour and lab practices have been refined to work efficiently. Moissanite is a more modern choice, as diamonds have been a sign of power, wealth, and status for centuries.
Brilliance
Brilliance refers to a gemstone's ability to reflect white light. The light that enters the stone splits into two and refracts outwards, creating more significant 'fire and sparkles' than a diamond. Moissanites exhibit a different brilliance than diamonds as they are double refractive.
A moissanite gemstone has a more remarkable display of spectral colours resulting in a rainbow-like effect, while diamonds reflect whiter light.
Durability
A gem's durability is measured on the Mohs Hardness Scale, a test that assesses a gem's ability to resist scratching. Moissanite gemstones have a 9.25 score on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, and diamonds have 10. Both gemstones are suitable for daily wear due to their durability.
The slight difference in the hardness scale rating provides diamonds with a more durable gemstone. The popularity of diamonds can be attributed to this higher durability. However, both gemstones can endure the daily rigours your jewellery may face.
Colour
Moissanite and diamonds can be nearly colourless and free of visible inclusions, desirable qualities people look for in colourless gemstones. Some moissanite gems can project a yellow or grayish hue in certain lights, but reputable manufacturers have perfected the production process over time to achieve a more colourless appearance. Quality can vary between manufacturers, so it’s important to ask your jeweller what type of moissanite they use.
A diamond's colour can significantly vary, as it can be colourless or have traces of yellow or gray hues. Diamond colour is graded on a scale of D-Z; the less colour equating to the higher the value.
Sourcing
Diamonds can be mined naturally or produced in the lab, whereas moissanite is always lab-created. Diamond mining can be detrimental to the environment, causing erosion, deforestation, and ecosystem destruction. However, you can choose to purchase lab-created diamond rings if you don't want to contribute to the harmful effects of diamond mining.
Choosing between a diamond and moissanite can be tricky, but your decision must reflect your taste, budget, and values.
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