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Shopping for a moissanite engagement ring is easy when you visit our top pick and follow our guide.
Why the Traditional Diamond Ring is a Thing of the Past
“Diamonds are Forever.” This is the famous line developed by the De Beers diamond company that helped kick off the skyrocketing popularity of diamond engagement rings. The irony, though, is that not only are diamonds a bad investment in the future, but they are not as ancient of a tradition as many believe. The popularity of the “traditional” diamond ring is beginning to decline in this day and age as people realize the truth behind the diamond industry.
Many people gravitate toward diamond engagement rings because they have been told that there are no other acceptable options for rings and that a diamond is the rarest, most valuable stone and thus is a valuable investment for the future in addition to being an ancient tradition dating back hundreds of years.
The truth is, diamonds only became truly popular around 80 years ago when the De Beers diamond company began extracting large quantities of diamonds from mines in South Africa. They recognized the need to maintain the illusion that diamonds are rare and luxurious in order to justify their high prices. To do this, De Beers launched a 2 pronged plan. They established a monopoly on the diamonds coming from the mines in order to artificially restrict the numbers entering the market. At the same time, they began an extensive marketing campaign to portray the diamond wedding ring as the ultimate symbol of eternal love and commitment. It is this campaign that generated the quote at the beginning of this article. De Beers successfully created the illusion that the only true and socially acceptable way to express everlasting love was by spending an artificially inflated amount (1 – 3 month’s salary) to purchase a stone that is fairly common, and ultimately unnecessary.
“Illusion” is the perfect word to describe the allure of diamonds and the way their value is determined. Ira Wiseman, an expert with over 10 years of professional experience in the diamond industry, describes how even professionals who deal in diamonds refer to their value and appeal using the term “illusion” when discussing their trade. Instead of dealing in the intrinsic value of the stones, diamond dealers base much of their purchasing on the illusion of value and opulence conveyed by the gems they are examining.
Not only is the value subjective, but it is almost impossible to sell a diamond second-hand. This means diamonds don’t make good investments, as you will pay much more for it from a store then you will ever be able to sell it for in the future.
Couples spend, on average, $3,500 – $5,000 on diamond rings. This is money that can never be recovered, and far more than the stones are actually, subjectively worth. In contrast, moissanite rings cost significantly less and actually sparkle more than traditional diamonds.
What is Moissanite?
Stardust on your finger; moissanites are gemstones born amongst stars.
Naturally occurring moissanites were first discovered by Henry Moissan in the crater of a meteorite that crashed to earth. These brilliant crystals were formed of silicon carbide, and were so close to diamonds in appearance that Moissan originally thought he had discovered diamonds that had originated beyond this world.
As one can imagine, naturally occurring moissanites are extremely rare, so the ones sold for commercial use are created in labs. This helps keep the gems affordable, and avoids the labor and human rights conflicts that have plagued the diamond industry
How does Moissanite Compare to a Diamond?
Moissanites look remarkably similar to diamonds in that they are mostly clear stones with an inner fire that sparkles when it catches the light. Moissanites, in fact, are more brilliant and contain more “inner fire” than diamonds due to the different refractive patterns of their crystalline structures.
When it comes to hardness, diamonds are the hardest mineral known to man, scoring a 10 on the Mohs scale. Moissanites are not far behind, however, as they come in at a 9.25. This is harder than any other gemstone (besides diamonds) used in engagement rings, and is more than durable enough to last a lifetime of being worn on a daily basis. Moissanites won’t get easily scratched like a cubic zircon or even an emerald or sapphire and do not chip or break easily.
When it comes to color, diamonds do tend to be more clear and colorless than moissanites. In certain lights, moissanites can sometimes give off a yellow or green tint. It should be noted that this is in reference to the classic moissanite stone. New varieties have been created that improve the clarity of these gems, and are said to make them as clear and ice-white as any diamond.
The most significant difference between the two stones can be seen in the price. Diamonds tend to vary in price depending on factors such as cut, color, clarity, and carats. In contrast, moissanites cost more or less the same across the board since they are lab-created and so have fewer irregularities to differentiate the quality of one stone from the other and artificially drive up the price of good stones. For moissanites, price will depend mostly on size and whether or not the gem is an enhanced version that is more colorless and clear.
Even the most expensive enhancement of these stones averages around $600 for one carat, with the classic moissanite being around $270 for a carat.
In contrast, a one carat diamond tends cost anywhere between $3,500 – $5,500 depending on cut, clarity and color.
Obviously, there is a huge price discrepancy between the two stones, which is one of the main reasons moissanites are the preferred option for cheap engagement rings. Especially in light of the fact that moissanites tend to be incredibly similar in appearance to diamonds and just as durable, while being more brilliant and truly conflict-free and eco-friendly at a fraction of the cost.
What to Look For in a Moissanite Engagement Ring
Since moissanites are lab-created and thus less likely to have flaws than diamonds, picking out a stone becomes much easier. One doesn’t need to be an expert on the “4 c’s” (clarity, cut, color, and carat) to avoid getting a sub-par stone for an inflated price.
Instead, focus on the size and cut of the moissanite. Examine the gem in different lighting to see if there is any hidden base colors, and what kind of brilliance the stone has. Since classic moissanites can have a slightly yellow tinge sometimes, they don’t always pair well with yellow-gold bands.
Keep in mind, though, that there are enhanced options as well. Decide if a classic stone is the right option, or if one of the enhanced, ice-like gems which go better with yellow-gold is a more favorable fit. Since moissanites are so affordable, the enhancement and size of the stone can be much larger than a diamond in the same budget would be.
Tips for Shopping Online for a Moissanite Engagement Ring
When shopping online for moissanite engagement rings, there is no way to examine the stones under different light. Instead, read any reviews that are available for the vendor and the quality and type of stones they sell to see if there is a trend toward stones that have certain hues under different lights. Always buy from a site that includes pictures of their merchandise, and has certified stones and a good reputation for quality and professionalism. It may also be a good idea to look for vendors who offer any kind of satisfaction guaranteed clause or return option if the stone doesn’t look the same in person as it did online.
It is also helpful to be aware of the different types of enhancements available for the stones, and which ones you might be partial to. Going to a jeweler in the area who sells moissanites to see what they look like in person can help in the decision making process before buying online.
Resources, Deep Discounts and Special Offers
Even though moissanites are already a much more affordable option than diamonds when looking for cheap engagement rings, it’s important to still shop around to get the best price available. Check out different online vendors and compare what they charge for stones of the same size and cut. Also look for seasonal or holiday discounts and promotional offers. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the most popular times to buy discounted jewelry online. Stores that are running promotional sales or are liquidating their stock can also be great places to find incredible discounts.
If you want to find deep discounts and special offers, please visit:
- Save $100 when ordering a diamond ring by following this link to Kobelli.com