I’ve been engaged for 4 months, showed my ring to dozens of people, and that nightmare scenario that has played out in my mind many times has never happened. Not even once.
My fiancé and I chose a moissanite stone for my engagement ring and it is among the best decisions we have ever made.
Why I chose a diamond alternative for my engagement ring?
Two years into dating I knew my fiancé was the one. Like many girls, I started dreaming about what type of engagement ring I wanted.
I played around on sites that allow you to custom design your engagement ring.
I liked jeweler’s Facebook pages in order to enter contests to win expensive engagement rings. (Facebook awkwardly started displaying that I liked those pages to my friends, who then messaged me about it. Thanks, Facebook!)
Given my success with travel rewards and my optimism about life hacking, I was convinced that there was a way to hack the engagement ring as well.
I. What is moissanite?
Moissanite, or natural silicon carbide, was discovered over a century ago when Nobel prize-winning French chemist, Dr. Henri Moisson found tiny particles of the substance at the site of a massive meteorite strike in Arizona.
The stone was named moissanite in his honor. Years later, scientists created the gemstone that we know as moissanite today.
II. What does moissanite look like?
Although moissanite may look like a diamond, its higher rate of refraction and dispersion make it much sparklier than a diamond. It actually bends light more than twice as much.
The brilliance and fire make moissanite stones stand out compared to other gemstones.
III. How does moissanite compare to a diamond?
First, Moissanite is much less expensive than a diamond. A 1ct moissanite goes for $300 retail whereas a 1ct diamond could run anywhere from $4,000 to $25,000 depending on cut, color, and clarity.
Secondly, moissanite is more refractive than a diamond as mentioned above, which gives it more fire and sparkle.
Third, moissanite is not as hard as a diamond (about 9 to 10 on the mohr scale) but the difference is negligible. I’ve banged mine against hard surfaces many times and it’s fine.
Like diamonds, moissanites can range from colorless to some color and you pay more as you get closer to colorless – although the cost for a colorless moissanite is much less than the highest grade of diamond comparatively.
Purchasing a Moissanite engagement ring online is a wise choice, as there are a plethora of high-quality retailers, some of which even offer the opportunity to design your own ring! In this article, we will review the top three.
1. Forever Moissanite
Forever Moissanite is a top option to consider for moissanite rings as they are dedicated specifically to this category. They are also highly rated on TrustPilot, which is a key consideration with some of the questionable jewelry retailers out there.
Forever Moissanite offers a wide variety of engagement cuts and styles, including:
Side Stone Round Cut
Side Stone Princess Cut
Side Stone Cushion Cut
Solitaire Round Cut
Solitaire Princess Cut
Solitaire Cushion Cut
hey also offer fully customizable ring designs here. with custom consults, from concept design, CAD models, and your final approval and delivery.
Forever Moissanite also has separate offerings for Moissanite Bridal Sets and Moissanite Weddling Bands, so it can be used as a one-stop-shop.
Forever Moissanite Offers:
30 Day Return Policy
Free Shipping
Lifetime Warranty
2. Brilliant Earth
Brilliant Earth is a well-established name in the ethically & sustainably sourced diamond industry, so it’s no surprise that they have an extensive moissanite diamond collection here.
Brilliant Earth Moissanite Cuts & Designs
Best of all, Brilliant Earth has a full complement of popular ring types, including:
Moissanite Solitaire Rings
Moissanite Accent Rings
Moissanite Luxe Rings
Moissanite Halo Rings
Moissanite Nature Themed Rings
Moissanite Vintage Style Rings
3. Charles and Colvard
When searching online for Moissanite engagement rings, one of the first results you will likely come across is Charles & Colvard.
They have a solid reputation and exist since 1995. They are unique in selling Moissanite as a diamond alternative, so you don’t need to worry about sifting through other kinds of jewelry. Their website is elegant, succinct and makes shopping a simple, lovely experience. It has three sections:
Shop
Why Moissanite?
Blog
If you hover your mouse on the shop option, you will see several categories including:
Engagement rings, divided by sets and styles
Loose gems, in over a dozen styles including unique ones like radiant, heart and trillion
Featured, which includes their rare green Moissanite collection.
If you click on Why Moissanite? You will be directed to a page which includes a highly educational video on Moissanite as well as a table which compares Moissanite to Diamonds, Rubies, Sapphires and Emeralds.
Moissanite is an exquisitely beautiful gemstone, and is an excellent choice for an affordable engagement ring. It’s nearly as hard as diamond and will last a lifetime, guaranteed. With more fire and brilliance than a diamond, it’s an eye-catching center stone that will light up a room.
Moissanite is one of the most beautiful gemstones in the world
Many see more sparkle, fire and brightness from a moissanite than from a diamond.
Moissanite is more brilliant than a diamond on the Brilliance Refractive Index (which measures a gem’s sparkle).
Moissanite has a greater dispersion and iridescence (commonly referred to as “fire”) than a diamond.
Moissanite has double the brightness of a diamond: It’s twice as refractive as a diamond. Refractivity is how many times light is “bent” when it passes through a gemstone.
Now a lab-created stunner
The naturally occurring mineral moissanite was discovered by Henri Moissan while examining rock samples from a meteor crater located in Canyon Diablo, Arizona. Henri mistakenly identified moissanite as a diamond, but later he correctly identified the crystals as silicon carbide. This mineral form of silicon carbide was named “Moissanite” in honor of Henri, later on in his life.
While moissanite is a naturally occurring material, it is incredibly rare to find. In 1998, the lab creation of moissanite was perfected through a sophisticated, scientific process and then offered widely to the consumer market.
An affordable, durable, and eco-conscious alternative to a mined diamond
The moissanite gemstones we offer are exclusively lab created. Moissanite gemstones are colorless (graded D, E, or F), of high clarity (VS1 or better), and are manufactured to an Excellent Cut, Polish and Symmetry.
Moissanite is extremely durable and can be set and finished into all types of fine jewelry.
Moissanite ranks on the Mohs hardness scale at 9.25 or better.
Moissanite is less susceptible to cracking and chipping than a diamond as it has greater tensile strength and is less brittle than diamond.
What is a moissanite stone if not the best very of both worlds: decidedly premium quality and genuine affordability. With more than twice the fire of a diamond at a fraction of the cost, durable moissanite gemstone combines luxury and accessibility.
According to the International Gemstone Society, by spending less than $1,000, you can receive a moissanite stone the size of a one-carat diamond for three times less than the standard cost—and all without compromising on color or clarity. In fact, our lab-created diamond simulants cost up to 90% less than mined diamonds while featuring sparkling brilliance, long-lasting durability, and unique premium cuts. A stunning gemstone at a stunningly low price point? It’s no wonder that so many modern couples choose to commemorate their love with moissanite jewelry and engagement rings.
Pro: Ethical Origins
Every aspect of a moissanite stone shines, including its origins. Ethically sourced, lab-grown moissanite gemstone is renowned for its conflict-free nature and environmentally friendly processes, removed from unethical mining practices and engineered by scientists with sustainable practices in mind. Look and feel your best in diamond alternatives crafted with conscientious care and the utmost attention to clarity, color and cut. With eco-friendly simulants that dazzle just like diamonds—but don’t compromise your comfort or arrive with hidden costs—you can sparkle with confidence and enjoy beautiful peace of mind.
Pro: Irresistibly Sparkly
If you’re looking to turn heads and win hearts, it’s hard to find a more eye-catching or radiant stone than moissanite. This eco-friendly diamond alternative may even compete with the cut, clarity, and brilliance of comparable mined diamonds measured on the standard diamond carat size chart. But unlike mined diamonds which emit colorless flashes when exposed to light, silicon carbide is double-refractive, creating a multi-hued rainbow of shimmer with every turn of the stone or encounter with light. What does this mean for your premium Nexus Diamond™ jewelry? More fire, more brilliance and more sparkle in your go-to pendant, engagement ring or custom design.
Pro: Seriously Durable
Moissanite ranks a 9.25 out of 10 on the industry-standard Mohs Scale of Hardness, just a touch under the ranking of mined diamonds. The serious durability of moissanite makes it a perfect choice for the center stone in your fine jewelry pieces. Given their top-notch brilliance and incredible tensile strength, our lab-grown diamond simulants deliver elegance and dazzle, without the worries about breaks, chips and cracks. Keep in mind, however, that certain gemstone cuts and shapes may require more delicate handling than others. Pear cuts and other elegant shapes may benefit from special settings that can help protect against everyday stress and damage. Speak with one of our experts about your unique needs.
Pro: Visibly Flawless
Lab-grown moissanite will certainly make an appealing option if your gemstone’s clarity is a top priority. Our moissanite diamond alternatives must achieve a clarity grade of VS or higher to be sold on the market. In other words, when you choose moissanite, you’re guaranteed a gorgeous stone with no visible flaws, perfect in appearance to the naked eye. And, when it comes to this gemstone, good things do last forever. This sparkly stone keeps its brilliance over time, so your fine jewelry can live on as a stunning heirloom piece that dazzles for generations to come.
Con: Slightly Different Sparkle Than Diamonds
While lab-grown moissanite offers greater brilliance than mined diamonds, differences in composition between the two gemstones result in slightly distinct sparkle patterns. Moissanite’s superior clarity—free of the inclusions and color variations in its mined counterparts—comes from a shift in light refraction properties. Moissanite is doubly refractive, which means that it sparkles much more—and much more colorfully—than the single refractive diamond. While many delight in the dramatic blaze of this lab-grown dazzler, moissanite’s rainbow shimmer is distinctive—it does not perfectly match the white sparkle of real diamonds. The difference can be extremely subtle, especially with smaller stones, but experts with a trained eye can identify a diamond vs moissanite center stone based on sparkle alone.
Con: Hints of Warm Undertones
Colorless moissanite makes a fantastic alternative for those looking to simulate the versatility of the diamond. To attain its prized colorless quality, each gem undergoes a whitening process during its development. However, the ultimate degree of moissanite’s colorlessness may vary slightly from stone to stone. Some gems closely compare to near-colorless diamonds, while others may be slightly warmer in color with hints of yellow and green. If you’re concerned about the hue of your gemstone, our experts can help you find your perfect diamond simulant. Each of our carefully crafted moissanite stones earns D, E, or F grades on the color scale of D to Z, with D being colorless.
Con: Less Access to Repairs, Resizing, and Resetting
While moissanite is one of the most promising additions to the world of fine jewelry, its innovative nature may make it more challenging to find jewelers that specialize in your stone in the event that you’re interested in resizing or resetting—at least compared to the many jewelers who work with mined diamonds.
Additionally, certain critics of moissanite argue that the stone does not retain its value over time. But this critique is not unique to moissanite; the same has been said of mined diamonds and other diamond alternatives within the retail space. It’s even possible that—given its durable quality and forever brilliance—moissanite boasts unparalleled longevity. If you have questions about caring for your moissanite jewelry through the years, our experts are happy to share insights and resources.
