If you are a jewelry enthusiast, you must have realized that the talk is no longer about diamonds only. There are new entrants in the market, such as moissanite engagement rings. Today, the diamond gemstone remains to be the rarest.
Sourcing for diamonds requires heavy investment in mining, and that makes it quite expensive of all gems that you will find in the market. For that reason, diamond alternatives and moissanite have become a favorite because of their sustainability and price.
Choosing moissanite engagement rings is easy. All you need is to understand what it is and what makes it worth buying for your engagement ring. However, it is important to know that moissanite is not a diamond. It is important to state that because moissanite has diamond-like qualities.
The 4Cs of Moissanite and why they matter
The first thing to consider in your choice of moissanite is the 4Cs. A clear understanding of what they mean can heavily affect your buy decision. Therefore, you should study them to guide you in deciding the perfect moissanite choice. Here is what you need to know:
1. Cut
This is the stone’s proportions and symmetry. It is not the actual shape of the stone. Most importantly, the cut affects the various facets of each stone and the amount of light reflected and dispersed from it. Therefore, it is the quality that determines how your moissanite ring will sparkle.
2. Color
Moissanite comes in different colors. There is classic moissanite which is mainly yellowish-green, forever one “near” colorless and forever one colorless moissanite stone. These three depict different qualities and hence attract different prices. Therefore, it is important to know that the different color shades will not cost the same.
Using the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) scale of color, moissanite color shades range from D to Z rating, with D having the least color amount. The Z rating refers to the classic moissanite with a light-yellow color shade.
The high-quality forever one gemstone is DEF grades and is mostly colorless. That means they cost more than the rest.
3. Clarity
Moissanite clarity depends on the number of inclusions in it. Stones without fewer inclusions are clearer than those with many inclusions. All gems have natural flaws that appear like feathers, crystals, or clouds. However, those without visible inclusions attract a higher price than those without.
4. Carat
Carat is the value used to determine the weight of a diamond. Although moissanite is measured in mm, you can use this quality to gauge moissanite weight and value. The more the weight, the more the price of the gemstone.
The good thing is that moissanite can be cut into different shapes and sizes. That means you can work with your budget to get the amount of moissanite you want for your ring.
Most importantly, do not go for full-carat moissanite. Buying 0.97carat can lead to huge cost savings instead of buying a 1-carat diamond. This kind of information is critical for shoppers that are working on a tight budget.
Why Choose Moissanite over Other Gemstones
Of all the stones available in the market, why choose moissanite? This is a very important question to ask yourself. Why would you consider buying moissanite and not any other stone in the market? Here is what you should know.
- Cost. One of the reasons people shy away from buying moissanite is the issue of cost. Since moissanite is lab-grown, it is more affordable and sustainable than diamond. For that reason, it is a better choice than a diamond in terms of price vis-a-vis value.
- Diamond-like strength. Despite the low cost of acquiring moissanite, it scores 9.25 on the Mohs scale of hardness. This is very close to that of 10 for a diamond. For that reason, it will give you superior qualities of hardness and durability at an affordable price.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a moissanite engagement ring is probably the best decision to make especially if you are working on a tight budget. The good thing is that moissanite will give you great qualities comparable to those of diamond at an affordable price. Therefore, understanding the properties of moissanite will help you get the most out of it. Use this guide to choose your moissanite ring today!
