What is Moissanite, and Why Is It So Popular?
Imagine a gemstone that sparkles brighter than any diamond, costs a fraction of the price, and carries an ethical story out of this world. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it's true.
Meet moissanite, the dazzling gemstone that captured the hearts and minds around the world.
Whether you're in the market for an engagement ring or merely curious to know the latest and the greatest in fine jewelry, more than likely you have heard of this mysterious, sparkling gem.
But what is moissanite, and why is it suddenly popping up everywhere-from celebrity engagements to everyday jewelry boxes? Its story is as fascinating as its brilliance and is no accident.
Table of Contents
▼Moissanite is more than a pretty gemstone. This gemstone has revolutionized the world of gemstones and brought upon a new change. In this article, we have dug deep into why moissanite emerged as a popular gemstone, how it is different from diamonds, and why you may want to invest the next piece of jewelry in it.
Stay tuned with us as we dive into the reasons why moissanite is revolutionising the world, and it might just be the kind of gemstone that you never knew you needed.
Moissanite vs Diamond: Important Differences Explained
When comparing moissanite to diamonds, it’s important to understand the key differences that set them apart. Though they may appear similar, moissanite is a unique gemstone with its own set of characteristics that make it a standout choice for jewelry.
refractive index:
This is one of the reasons why moissanite exhibits bright brilliance and fire even in dim light. According to Gemological Institute of America, refractive index stands at 2.42 for diamonds, while moissanite shows 2.65.
Sparkle and Fire:
Sparkle refers to flashes of light a gemstone reflects, and fire is the dispersion of light into different colors. Because of its higher refractive index, moissanite will exhibit more fire than a diamond, offering it a brighter, more colorful look.
Refractive Index Chart Of Gemstones
Gemstone |
Refrective Index |
Moissanite |
2.65 - 2.69 |
Diamond |
2.42 |
Sapphire |
1.76 - 1.77 |
1.76 - 1.77 |
|
Emerald |
1.57 - 1.58 |
Aquamarine |
1.57 - 1.58 |
1.54 - 1.55 |
|
1.62 - 1.63 |
|
1.72 - 1.94 |
|
1.37 - 1.47 |
|
1.71 - 1.74 |
The Brilliance Of Moissanite: What Makes It Sparkle
Moissanite’s brilliance is one of its most captivating features. This gemstone's sparkle can be attributed to its unique ability to reflect and refract light in a way that is unparalleled by other gemstones.
Dispersion Of Moissanite:
The dispersion, or "fire" of moissanite is higher than diamonds. This means that moissanite offers brighter, more colorful flashes of sparkle and fire. In a study conducted by Dr. James L. R. M., the dispersion of moissanite is 0.104 while that of diamond is 0.044
Why Choose Moissanite Over Diamonds?
Moissanite continues to gain popularity more and more due to several key advantages it holds above diamonds. From its beautiful looks to its affordability, here's why many jewelry enthusiasts opt for moissanite.
Price:
Moissanite shows almost similar aesthetics with diamonds but at a much lower price. This makes it an excellent choice for those who opt for the look of high-end gemstones but do not have to shell out a hefty price for it.
Golden bird jewels survey reveals that for the same size and look, moissanite engagement ring will cost a couple about 60-80% less compared to its diamond counterpart.
Cubic Zirconia:
Another popular diamond substitute is cubic zirconia, but it can't compete with moissanite in brilliance, durability, or fire. Although CZ could pass for a diamond in the first look, it is far from long-lasting sparkle and durability offered by moissanite.
As the research conducted by the Gemological Institute of America reports, the refractive index of cubic zirconia is as low as 2.15, compared to the 2.65 of moissanite, making it less brilliant.
How Tough is a Moissanite?
Moissanite is not only gorgeous but also very tough, ideal for everyday wear. This stone is a gemstone recognized by its hardness and resistance to scratches, which guarantees retaining it beautifully year after year.
Moissanite's Hardness:
Moissanite has a Mohs hardness of 9.25. This makes it more resistant to scratching than nearly all other minerals except for diamonds themselves, which are rated 10. A high rating means that moissanite is very resistant to scratching and holds its polish well over time, even for everyday wear. the impressive hardness of moissanite makes it an excellent engagement ring and very-worn jewelry.
Is Moissanite a Good Investment?
While diamonds have some investment merits, there is no denying moissanite has its own merits – especially to those looking at something more affordable that never sacrifices brilliance.
Moissanite Resale Value
Moissanite is very stunning and durable, but it is not going to give you anything if you are looking to resale. That is because, while diamonds have such high use value and are limited as well, they therefore command appraising over time. Moissanite, being a lab product, doesn't have the same demand and market for resale.
"Diamonds retain or rise in value for more than 99 percent of the years that have been measured to date according to a report on diamond investment trends by De Beers".
Initial Investment For Moissanite:
Moissanite, despite having a lesser resale price, has good value for money at initial stages. Moissanite is cheaper compared to diamond, and with this said, it is able to provide a person with bigger and more dramatic gems at a lower percentage of the cost for the actual diamond. Moissanite enables the consumer to pick bigger stones and still be within their budget.
Eco-Friendliness of Moissanite
It's one of the main reasons why moissanite is a responsible choice: environmental impact or rather its lack. Moissanite is a lab-grown gemstone. It means it is created in the laboratory instead of being mined from earth.
Lab-Grown Gemstones environmental advantage
Moissanite is lab grown, does not involve a measure of environmental damage inherently detrimental to traditional gemstone mining or deforestation and habitat destruction.
Research explains that traditional diamond mining can cause severe environmental disturbance in which the land is destroyed and poisonous chemicals are released into the environment.
Research has also estimated that for every carat of diamond mined, 100 square feet of land is disturbed, and over 5,798 pounds of mineral waste is produced. Compared to this, moissanite is a highly sought-after environment care.
Where to Buy Moissanite Jewelry Online
If you are looking to buy moissanite jewelry then you have to shop from a trustable retailer who offers quality and certified moissanite stones.
Certified Moissanite:
Always look for certified moissanite available in the market that is offered by trustable brands or retailers. This way, you will be assured about the authenticity and quality of the stone.
Check out our hand-crafted collection of certified moissanite with precision using expertise and experience.
Moissanite Jewelry: The Affordable Luxury
Moissanite is made available in many styles that can be adopted for every occasion, from engagement rings to earrings and necklaces. The versatility of moissanite will fit softly into a traditional and modern design. Whether you want something bold or dauntless, everything for you demands come easily with moissanite.
Different Styles
Moissanite jewelry can come in quite a range of styles, from solitaires to highly intricate side stone pieces. For your wedding ring, anniversary gift, or perhaps for a special occasion, there surely is something that everyone would love.
Moissanite Affordable Purity:
The affordability of moissanite jewelry is quite an attraction. It is priced at about 60-80% lower than that of the diamond and can offer a total solution for those who want to enjoy luxury but not the price tag.
Ethical Choice:
Moissanite is created in the lab and therefore does not have a mining process. This minimises the impact on the environment as well as makes it an ethical and responsible choice in lieu of a diamond. With this reason, it has started attracting consumers who are sensitive about responsible sourcing.
Conclusion: How Good A moissamite Is?
A lab-grown gemstone, moissanite has won hearts for its affordable brilliance and ethical appeal rather than a traditional diamond. Moissanite boasts a very high refractive index of 2.65 and superior dispersion, so that it boils over in a vibrant sparkle and "fire" even brighter than diamonds.
Hardness is as high as 9.25 on the Mohs scale, hence perfect for use every day with jewelry such as engagement rings. Moissanite is an earth-friendly option. It's primarily manufactured in labs; there are no contributions to polluted lands or waterways as there would be if someone were to dig up these precious stones.
Although moissanite has almost no resale value, it comes with great initial value; the consumer can choose larger stones at a fraction of the price of a diamond. It comes in all jewelry styles, from the classic solitaires to intricate designs.
Moissanite is remarkably the best option to achieve luxury without compromise in the responsibilities placed on the environmental and social spheres due to the promotion of ethical production and affordability.
FAQs About Moissanite
Is moissanite a fake diamond?
A moissanite is not a fake diamond or gemstone it is a separate gemstone like others, it was discovered by french chemist henri moissan while researching a meteor crater.
Is moissanite as good as diamond?
A moissanite is as good as diamond, even better in terms of some aspects such as refractive index and affordability. Apart from this, being a lab-created gemstone, it is a more ethical gemstone than diamond.
Can moissanite pass a diamond tester?
Because of high thermal conductivity a high quality of moissanite can pass a diamond tester.
Does moissanite lose its shine?
Moissanite is the second hardest stone after diamond; therefore, there would be no hesitation to say that with proper care, moissanite may shine for a longer time than you would expect.