The engagement jewelry narrative has, for a long time, involved diamonds, and chances are high that you have, for most of your life, been led to believe that this is the only option. Wedding jewelry, engagement jewelry, even royal jewelry have all been about diamonds for as long as we can remember. But just a tiny bit of investigation will make it clear that we have come a long way since diamonds were the only option! Moissanite has been around for surprisingly longer than you might think, and far from being cheap diamond knockoffs, they are a significant jewel in their own right.
Is a moissanite a fake diamond?
Visually, and in terms of its physical performance, moissanites are very similar to diamonds, to such an extent that you will struggle to discern the difference with the naked eye. However, it is very important to bear in mind that a moissanite is not, and was never intended to be, a fake diamond. It is a jewel in its own right, with its own properties, that happens to have a lot in common with diamonds, to such an extent that it has, over time, become regarded as a good substitute for diamonds, for various reasons.
Extra sparkly!
Probably the most significant quality of moissanites, is that they are double refractive. This means that they let out twice the amount of light that enters the stone, whereas diamonds are only single refractive. Put a moissanite in an environment where it can benefit from the presence of a large amount of light, and you won’t believe your eyes!
In addition to this, diamonds boast a similar hardness and durability to that of diamonds. It is difficult to harm a moissanite while working with it, as it is extremely hard very durable. In fact, it comes in at a hardness score of 9.5 on the Mohs hardness scale – a very close second to diamonds, that come in at a hardness score of 10. You will be able to wear a moissanite diamond engagement ring with the same confidence as you would have worn a diamond, without fear of harming it.
Why is moissanite so much cheaper than diamonds?
Diamonds rely on the mining industry to be able to enter the commercial sphere. Mining is expensive to set up and maintain, and many people take exception to the effect the mining industry has on the environment, and the notorious exploitation and underpayment of mining workers, despite the outrageous costs relating to the stones. There is a distinct movement of people who are choosing to move away from this rather unsustainable model, in favor of something more ethical and environment-friendly. Moissanite is the perfect fit for these criteria, and costs a lot less. This is thanks to the fact that moissanite is not traditionally mined, but is produced in a lab instead. The related infrastructure costs and labor costs are much lower, allowing the stone to hit the market very competitively priced.
Moissanite is not a diamond, but it is a very noteworthy option to consider when buying an engagement ring or any other type of jewelry. It’s important to know what is out there in order to weigh your options and make the right choice for you.
Fraquoh and Franchomme
Further reading:
Just Brilliant: The Origins of “Diamonds are Forever”
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