Moissanite Rings or Diamond Rings: What to Purchase?

Moissanite and Diamond rings are completely impossible to tell apart at first glance. They both sparkle, both shine, both leave you breathless. But if you look closer and know more you'll see that each of them has a pretty different past.

In this article, we'll talk about how each and every one of them is made, how they sparkle individually, how they fare in everyday use, how much, and what they signify. The goal isn't to decide which is "best", because come on, the prettiest ring will be one that makes you feel best.

Let's get into the stellar world of diamond and moissanite engagement rings and match you up with the one that is perfectly yours.

The Moissanite Story: 

A Star Born Moissanite's origin story is one of the most romantic in the history of jewels. It wasn't found way down underground or unearthed by people. Instead, it was from the stars themselves, literally. There was a discovery in 1893 by French chemist Henri Moissan of glittering little crystals in the basin of an Arizona meteorite. At first, he thought he found diamonds. But later, after examining the crystals extremely closely, he found that they were not diamonds, but a new substance, a new mineral, silicon carbide. As natural moissanite is so rare, scientists learned how to produce it in a lab and perfectly reproduce its brilliance.

Moissanite rings today are 100% manufactured, so it's a clear conscience, earth-friendly choice. No digging deep into the earth, no hurting the Earth, just clean, bright loveliness. 

At 9.25 on the Mohs scale, it is harder than necessary to hold up to everyday life without wearing off or scratching, but not harder than a diamond (10 on the scale). And moissanite is considerably cheaper than diamonds, at typically 80% to 90% less for the same size and appearance. That is, you dream bigger, bigger stones, higher-end environments, or simply having that extra money aside for other life milestones.

Moissanite earrings, rings, and other jewelry aren't only cheaper; it's for people who love fire, honesty, nature, and frugal spending, without compromising on beauty.

Learning About Diamonds, How it is A Billion-Year Love Affair

Diamonds are the substance of legends. Forged more than a billion years ago, far beneath the earth's surface and pounded by immense heat and pressure, diamonds are pure carbon crystals which have also evolved as symbols for love, devotion, endurance, and perpetuity. Diamonds were marketed as the ultimate symbol of love for millennia. The words "A Diamond is Forever" didn't magically appear overnight, it was just a portion of a very diabolically smart marketing strategy that buried diamonds solidly in our culture, weddings, and love.

Diamonds have been mined for decades. Mining, in itself, is evil to nature and to humankind's conscience, though, based on where and how it's done. Due to this reason, so many nowadays are actually opting to use lab-grown diamonds instead. Lab-grown diamonds are created in a lab but chemically and appearance-wise identical to dug-up diamonds. They're also typically cheaper and ethically produced, so they're a substitute without compromising on that old-school diamond look.

Choosing a diamond is more of an issue of heritage, tradition, and symbolism. To some people, owning a diamond is more of having a beautiful stone to wear, but rather to wear something that is beautiful eternally and emotionally on one's body wherever one goes.

The Real Differences That Matter

At first glance, diamonds and moissanite are almost impossible to distinguish from each other, especially for the human eye. But if you start to examine them more closely, you'll discover some irrefutable differences, not just in appearance, but in touch, behavior, and significance.

When it comes to brilliance, moissanite surpasses diamonds. Moissanite refracts light even more strongly, so enormous, old-fashioned flash and trains of rainbow-colored light (fire) abound. Diamonds sparkle with a gentler, more old-fashioned beauty. Diamonds sparkle with cleaner, whiter light. The moissanite has fans who adore its clean flash, but the soft, natural sparkle of a diamond has fans too. It really just depends on what your style is. Flashy show and visibility might be your style if moissanite is your sweetheart. Old-fashioned elegance might be your style if diamonds are more "you."

Strength is also very much in question. Diamonds are the strongest gem man can find, but moissanite is nearly as strong second best. Both gemstones will withstand the stresses of daily life no trouble, but diamond just barely edges out a moissanite for durability. Naturally, for regular everyday typist wear, cooking, travel, and even the occasional bangs into tables and countertops, moissanite is just fine. If you have an active life, these two stones will not mind you, you won't need to tiptoe around them.

Tips on How to Pick the Best Stone for You

The choice of whether to have diamond or moissanite is not right or wrong, it's merely a question of whether or not it works for your life, you, and your happiness.

Start with your own life. Are you one of those people who's always on the move, flying all over the world, working with your hands getting something tangible accomplished, or having an active, busy lifestyle? Then longevity does become a concern, and diamond and moissanite both work. If you just plain abuse your jewelry, a diamond will give you a little extra protection, but moissanite is definitely adequate for most individuals.

Second, take your budget seriously. You don't need to be ashamed to be financially intelligent. If the prospect of spending $10,000 on a diamond made you nervous, that's not the type of energy that would be well invested in an act of love. Moissanite gives you the chance to have your dream ring without financial regret. Again, the loveliness of a ring is what it represents, not how much it costs.

Also think about your values. If you are strongly committed to the environment, to respecting and dignifying workers, and to sustainability, moissanite is making a big statement about what you believe in and what you stand for. Even so-called "lab-grown diamonds," as great as they are better than mined diamonds, can take more resources to produce than moissanite.

Lastly, both moissanite and diamond rings are gorgeous in their own unique way. One is modern, alien-like, and blindingly beyond beauty; the other one is symbolic, traditional, and limitless. Both are resilient, lovely, and worthy of representing love.

Wear wither one that you want and remember that:

What makes your ring unique isn't the size, the sparkle, or the price, it's the memories you make while you wear it, the love behind it, and the life that you build together.

So select the stone that's yours.

Select the stone that makes you smile every time you look down at your hand.

That's the only spark that matters.