So you’ve reached a point in your life where a diamond would traditionally have been the solution to your current situation – engagement, marriage, or another commemorative reason. But due to cost or ethical reasons, perhaps you are not ready to run with a diamond – but what are your alternative options? Moissanite can be a very solid option, as it is very similar to a diamond both in terms of appearance and performance, but at a far lower price point. Although the compound from which moissanite is synthesised is fairly scarce in nature, it is produced easily and cost-effectively in a lab. This cuts on mining costs, infrastructure costs and other elements that result in a significant decrease in overall production costs.
What is the overall difference between moissanite and diamonds?
Although moissanite and diamonds appear to be very similar in appearance at first glance, there are elements that make the two types of stones different, ranging from its physical properties, as well as its thermal and optical elements. Moissanite and diamonds are even similar in terms of their respective hardnesses – moissanite scores 9.5, compared to the score of 10 that belongs to diamonds. This makes moissanite the second hardest gemstone just after diamonds, and a very comparable substitute on these grounds.
Moissanite is nearly as resistant to wear and tear as diamonds, making it almost 100% shockproof, and resistant to scratching, cracking and chipping. More than anything, it is highly thermally stable, meaning that it is unlikely to incur damage when being processed by a jeweller, when tools such as blowtorches are used to fashion the final product.
Brighter than a diamond!
The optical qualities of a moissanite allows more light to pass through the jewel than through a diamond. This is thanks to the double-refractive properties of the stone. When light enters the stone, the beams split and bend into different rays that appears to the viewer to be rainbow coloured. This is possibly the main factor that sets moissanite engagement rings apart from diamonds rings – the double refractive, rainbow-coloured appearance of moissanite, as opposed to the single refractive, whitish appearance of diamonds.
The ethical alternative
In the diamond industry, the term “blood diamond” is a known descriptor, which has come into being an account of the highly tarnished history of diamonds, riddled with civil unrest and instability, as well as environmental destruction. While lab diamonds can be a decent substitute, they are still very expensive, which is often not viable for those who do not have access to an expansive budget.
While it is not impossible to get a good deal when buying lab diamonds, you will still be paying more than you need to. Think about it – both lab diamonds and moissanite are artificially produced in a lab using similar processes. The end result is very similar – so doesn’t it make sense to opt for the one that will get you a better deal, and a much bigger stone for the money you spend on it?