The world of jewels is enthralling to behold, particularly when planning special events such as marriages, weddings, coronations, and anniversaries. When it comes to finding the perfect match for the day, some gemstones come to mind. Diamonds and moissanite, however, stand out from these gems. At a first glance, distinguishing between the two can be difficult. In terms of aesthetics, hardness, feel, and colour ranges, they are identical. However, they have specific unique features that make them different from each other.
And yes, there is the factor of pricing that groups the gemstones individually. Diamonds being the birthstone for April have been a jewel of choice for centuries. However, moissanite is gradually gaining a strong foothold in the jewel market, putting the long-reigning champ on its toes. This naturally occurring mineral gives shoppers value for their money. For a fraction of a diamond’s price, you can get the same quality. Let’s find out more about what makes moissanite special.
One Gemstone – Different Options
Moissanites come in a variety of colour options, ranging from colourless to coloured. The colourless variant takes on the tone of a classic diamond as it meets the demands of diamond lovers in search of an ideal alternative. Shoppers can also choose other tints, whether it be green, red, grey, or even yellow. One element remains crucial when manufacturing this gemstone – the cut. This factor also determines the amount of fire (birefringence) the stone reflects. Round-cut moissanite maximizes this optical property . Other cuts include:
- Heart
- Pear
- Radiant
- Marquise
- Cushion
- Princess
You can select a cut based on your preference; this is one of the benefits of shopping for a moissanite gemstone.
Appreciating Its Optical Properties
Moissanites and diamonds are similar to the point that it may be challenging for even a constant jewel shopper to differentiate one from the other. There are ways to distinguish them beyond their close appearances. The most notable differences between moissanite and diamonds are price point, reflection, and the amount of sparkle. Moissanites sparkle 2.4 times more than their counterparts, due to their double-refraction properties. The gemstone’s rainbow exceeds its white light.
On the other hand, diamonds have single-refraction properties, which means that they cannot disperse more than the spectrum of light rays they receive. As such, the rainbow light is on par with the white light. Moissanite tends to attract more attention than these precious jewels when placed in a well-lit environment.
When it comes to costs, moissanite gives the diamond a run for its money. You can own a moissanite engagement ring or wedding ring for as little as $300. But anything lower than that amount may set you up for a counterfeit gemstone. Match your moissanite ring with an ideal ring band, ranging from white gold to rose gold.
Final Verdict on Moissanite
For the right cut, colour, and clarity, you can purchase a moissanite gemstone that optimizes its optical properties. Naturally mined moissanite jewels are rare to come by. Hence, to meet up with market demands, manufacturers grow them in the lab.