Why Moissanite Rings are Trending in 2021
Prized for its flickering rainbow flashes, moissanite is a popular diamond alternative for modern brides-to-be. Its radiant beauty and impressive versatility also make it popular in everyday jewelry pieces. Read on to learn why moissanite rings are such a trending force in the jewelry world.
What Is it?
Renowned for its fiery brilliance, moissanite is a trendy diamond alternative due to its impressive durability, shimmering aesthetic and lower price tag.
One of the absolute rarest minerals found on Earth, moissanite was initially discovered in the late 1800s deep within a meteor crater in Arizona. While natural moissanite is quite rare, modern scientists are able to leverage complex technology to make these brilliant gemstones in a laboratory setting. The result is a stunning diamond alternative with warm peachy hues and a striking diamond-like fire.
A Trendy Diamond Alternative
Your love story deserves a distinctive ring as vibrant as your bond. Similar to traditional diamonds in color, moissanite puts an unconventional spin on the classic diamond engagement ring. Pairing well with a variety of precious metals, moissanite is a compelling, cost-friendly diamond alternative. The beautiful stone plays perfectly with traditional yellow gold. Its fire reaches even greater heights in cool, sophisticated white gold. Beautiful and radiant, moissanite also pairs harmoniously with blush rose gold.
Moissanite vs. Diamonds
While they don’t have the exact same properties as diamonds, moissanites have a comparable look at a lesser price. With radiant rainbow flares, these lovely gems are becoming increasingly popular in contemporary engagement rings. Still, there are some important differences between the two gemstones. It’s important to understand these differences before you make a purchase.
Because it has different kinds of faceting patterns, moissanite’s brilliance is not the same as that of a traditional diamond. Although moissanite has a higher refractive index, diamonds reflect light in a much more complex manner via dispersion, scintillation and brilliance. This is why diamonds boast their one-of-a-kind sparkle.
While diamonds can be colorful or colorless, moissanites will typically have warmer tones. In most cases, this coloring will be more visible in larger moissanite gems. While diamonds are graded based on the 4Cs (Cut, Clarity, Color, Carat), moissanites are only typically graded on color. This is because the clarity and cut are similar across varying qualities of moissanite gems.
Moissanite vs. Lab-Grown Diamonds
While moissanites and lab-grown diamonds are both popular budget-friendly gemstone choices, they differ in key ways. Lab-grown diamonds are essentially the same both physically and optically as mined diamonds. The only difference is that lab-grown diamonds are man-made using highly specialized equipment, technology and responsibly sourced raw materials. Also created in a lab, moissanite is made using silicon and carbon, through a combination of intense heat and pressure.
On the Mohs scale for hardness, moissanite scores an impressive 9.25, while lab-grown diamonds earn a perfect 10. Both scores are extremely high, however, making each gemstone well-suited for everyday wear in rings.
With proper care, moissanite rings should never lose their radiant shimmer. The stone’s color and clarity will persist over the years unless the gem is damaged. Scratches can cause moissanite gemstones to lose some of their sparkle.
While lab-created diamonds are more affordable than naturally mined diamonds, their cost can range based on carat, shape, color, cut and clarity. Moissanites are priced lower than mined and lab-grown diamonds, with costs varying based on size and whether the gemstone is rated as Premium or Super Premium.
Because moissanites and lab-created diamonds are both grown in dedicated facilities, they are very appealing to people who want eco-friendly gemstones that require no mining.
John Atencio’s Rings
Bring a fiery flare to your finger with a stunning ring from John Atencio. Whether you’re looking for an eye-catching fashion accessory or breathtaking engagement ring, we have artfully crafted pieces in every shape and style. We also have striking diamond alternatives that bring a scintillating shimmer at a very attractive price.
If you've been searching for an affordable, eco-friendly diamond alternative, John Atencio’s lab diamond or moissanite engagement rings are an ideal choice. And when one of our stunning lab grown gems is paired with a superior John Atencio setting, it creates a breathtaking artistic expression of beauty and luxury. Make an appointment at one of our locations, where our experienced, attentive team will provide a personalized approach to help you find the exact right engagement ring for that monumental moment.