For a newcomer, buying a ring can be a bit of a daunting prospect, especially if it’s for a certain special someone.
It was probably difficult enough a century ago when you’d have to navigate through different cuts, shapes, and prices. But today it’s become even more intense, with options including natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, and moissanite all offering different qualities and prices.
What’s that last one, we hear you ask? Moissanite. Introduced to the jewellery market in 1998, this gemstone has become an increasingly popular option over the last 26 years. Y Across the board, moissanite rings tend to be cost-efficient, yet just as impactful and meaningful.
But what exactly is moissanite and is it really value for money? We’re going to look into this question below, offering you a full breakdown of the costs and – hopefully – cutting short the complexity that comes with buying a perfect ring for the first time.
What are Moissanite Rings?
A Moissanite ring is a diamond simulant. Made of silicon carbide, this is a stone that has an almost identical appearance to a diamond, only without the materials and components that form a diamond’s makeup. While naturally grown moissanite can occur, it is extremely rare, so most market moissanite is the result of lab-controlled creation.
A Breakdown of Price Influencers
A moissanite gem is typically cheaper than both a natural diamond and a lab-grown diamond – you’ll see evidence of moissanite rings special prices on Best Brilliance, for instance.
Even if it’s of equal size and quality, a moissanite gem will be one-tenth the cost of a mined diamond, partly due to its more streamlined creation and supply – as well as the supply and demand in the engagement ring market. But what else influences the cost?
1. Unique Properties
As mentioned before, moissanite is made up of silicon carbide, which is a rare but naturally occurring mineral. Compared to a diamond – which is 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness – moissanite is 9.25, which means it is just as durable and will not scratch easily. That being said, it’s primarily grown and controlled in a lab environment, which contributes to its lower cost compared to mining.
2. Sourcing
Moissanite gems were first discovered around 120 years ago, found in the centre of a meteorite crater. Their occurrence in nature is very rare, which would make you assume that they should be more expensive. But today, moissanite is created through a process called chemical vapour deposition.
Like lab-grown diamonds, high temperatures, high pressure, and chemical vapour are used to grow the crystal layers of silicon carbide and transform it into moissanite. It’s a fast process that takes a matter of months, and that cuts the cost down drastically.
3. Cut
Just like any diamond, once the moissanite is sourced and crafted, it is then evaluated using GIA standards to determine its cost. This includes examining the cut. Because moissanite has a higher refractive index than a diamond, it often results in better fire and scintillation, giving it more sparkle than a diamond. Of course, the more sparkle the cut has, the higher the cost will be.
4. Clarity
Also like diamonds, moissanite gems will be examined for inclusions and blemishes. Ranging in clarity from FL to I3, the price will be determined on the inherent inclusions, as well as inclusions noticeable to the naked eye. Normally, inclusions will be tiny and can only be seen under close observation.
5. Colour
Moissanite gems will also be graded from ‘D’ to ‘Z’ on the colour scale. This plays a big influence on cost because, unlike diamonds, moissanite over a carat in size is more likely to show traces of colour, such as yellow or green. For this reason, the price of larger moissanite can be cheaper than expected, and most people prefer their stones under a carat in size
6. Carat
Speaking of size, moissanite also weighs around 10% to 15% less than diamonds, so it is measured in millimetres rather than weight. The weight is still typically included in market listings, but you’ll also find the size of the gemstone in mm, giving you an idea of the overall value.
Lab-Grown vs Moissanite
You might be wondering why moissanite is generally cheaper than lab-grown diamonds since they’re both created in the same environment.
This is because lab-grown diamonds and mined diamonds are made from carbon, while moissanite is silicon carbide. Lab-grown diamonds are still real diamonds, whereas moissanite just looks like a real diamond. This then contributes to the price tag.
Natural Diamond vs Moissanite
It’s pretty evident why moissanite is a different investment than mined diamonds. To mine a diamond and put it to market takes a lot of people and finances, which subsequently bumps up the cost.
As well as this, the prestige, symbolism, and romanticism behind natural diamonds generate more of a market demand, which makes moissanite more affordable.
Conclusion
If you’re considering what type of ring to get for that special someone, and you have a slightly tight budget, then moissanite could be the perfect diamond. It looks like a diamond, feels like a diamond, and it’s the second-hardest material in the world.
There are numerous collections that radiate with unique beauty and elegance, so take a look around and give as much of your time as possible. In our mind, there’s no doubt that moissanite could be just the answer you’re looking for.
