The thought of owning a diamond can be thrilling. Besides, it is the traditional birthstone for April. It is a gemstone that has its foundation rooted in rich history and tradition, whether it be engagements, weddings or even coronations. However, owning a diamond doesn’t come cheap. But that is not the deal-breaker. This gemstone has a tainted past, one which most ethically- conscious jewel lovers avoid at all cost. Nevertheless, there is an ideal alternative to this precious mineral – moissanite.
Moissanite is a unique and rare mineral found in several parts of the world. Its discovery, courtesy of Henri Moissan, is tied to a meteor crash site. As such, most people assume that it is a gemstone born from the stars. What brings moissanite on par with a diamond is its brilliance, sturdiness, and, of course, price. There’s so much to uncover on moissanite in this guide. So, let’s dig further.
Discovering Moissanite’s Aesthetics
One thing you would notice when viewing moissanite and diamond side by side is their striking semblance to each other. But on closer inspection, a moissanite gemstone dazzles more than its counterpart. This feature is attributed to its double-refraction properties. Other factors also play essential roles, including its cut. By maximizing its cut, moissanite can allow the entry of maximum light through it. This process allows maximum fire at high dispersion (rainbow effect). As such, a jeweller must cut the stone precisely for this feature to occur.
Moissanite’s cuts vary. They include the following:
• Round brilliant moissanite
• Emerald cut moissanite
• Oval cut moissanite
• Square cut moissanite
• Marquise cut moissanite
• Pear cut moissanite
• Cushion cut moissanite
• Heart cut moissanite
• Radiant cut moissanite
In the area of aesthetics, moissanite beats the diamond hands down. Its dispersion is 2.4 times more than that of diamonds. As such, it sparkles more than its counterpart, turning heads in its direction. But there is more to discover.
Moissanite – The Second Toughest Gemstone on Earth
Diamond reigns supreme when it comes to durability. In actuality, the engineering industry uses this gemstone in cutting, drilling, and grinding materials. On the Mohs hardness scale, the gemstone has a rating of 10, making it the toughest material on earth. However, moissanite’s toughness does not pale in comparison to this figure as it has a score of 9.5, making it the second-toughest mineral.
Moissanites are scratch resistant and heat resistant. You don’t also have to worry about chips and cracks as they last beyond a lifetime. To get the best result with your gemstone, you need the right cut, clarity, and colour. These factors, alongside carat weight, influence the value. Speaking of colour, moissanite comes in various options, ranging from light green to colourless.
Above all, a moissanite gemstone cost a fraction of the price of a diamond equivalent. For example, a one-carat GIA-certified diamond cost $4,000 or more. However, you could get a moissanite gemstone of the same specification for $599. Sounds like a great bargain. Also, kindly note that it is in no way inferior to a diamond.
Final Take on Moissanite
To get the best from your moissanite gemstone, you need the right setting. This factor can augment its aesthetics, irrespective of size. You can go for any ring band of choice, including platinum, rose gold, yellow gold, and white gold. So, why the long wait? It is time to surprise your lover with an engagement.
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