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Diamonds are the gold standard, so to speak, when it comes to engagement ring gemstones. However, moissanite is becoming more common as an alternative choice for some couples. Engagement rings are arguably the most important piece of jewelry anyone will buy in their lifetime, so it’s of utmost importance to choose your gemstone carefully. Diamonds are a classic choice, but if you’re wondering if Moissanite is right for you, read on to find out our take.

What is Moissanite?

Moissanite was brought down to earth by a meteor, so, naturally occurring moissanite is extremely rare. The mineral that makes up moissanite, silicon carbide, was discovered in 1893 by the French chemist Henri Moissan, from whom the name of the gem was derived. Naturally occurring moissanite is extremely rare, so the moissanite people come across and use in engagement rings is synthetic. Experts are able to recreate it in a lab, which makes it socially and environmentally friendly.

Moissanite vs. Diamond

When they occur naturally, moissanites are a rare mineral with great brilliance and luster, which is why they are a popular engagement ring style alternative. However, as stated above, commercially available Moissanites are lab created.

Moissanite is created to look similar to a diamond, which makes it an imitation. Upon first glance, the difference might not be evident. However, with further inspection the differences are noticeable between diamonds and moissanite. Brilliance, or the way light is reflected by a gem, is very important when considering a stone. Brilliance differs greatly between types of gems. Some people love the brilliance of moissanite, which is known for a fiery and rainbow-like sparkle. For some, the rainbow sparkle is a selling point. Others think the moissanite rainbow is reminiscent of a tacky disco ball. On the other hand, diamonds have a very characteristically balanced brilliance and are famous for their sparkle because of the equal presence of white and rainbow. It is incredibly eye catching, which is why it has lasted the test of time and is included in almost all engagement ring style types.

Moissanite and diamonds differ greatly in another area as well: price. Moissanites do not require mining the way diamonds do, they are grown in a lab. Diamonds are rare, whereas moissanites are not. Therefore the price point is drastically lower for moissanites than for diamonds.

Diamonds are a bit of an investment, but well worth it in the long run. Here at Maytal Hannah we do prefer working with diamonds but can build a ring around your moissanite if you have a particular gem in mind. Whatever your gem of choice, contact us for a consultation to create the ring of your dreams!