MOISSANITE DIAMOND v/s REAL DIAMOND

What is Moissanite?

Moissanite is a gemstone born from the stars. It was first discovered in 1893 by a French scientist named Henri Moissan, who later won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He discovered microscopic particles of the gem that would eventually bear his name in Arizona, in a crater created by a meteorite that fell to Earth. He initially thought that he had discovered diamonds, but later determined that the crystals were composed of silicon carbide.

Natural moissanite is incredibly rare, so moissanite available today is laboratory-created. After many years of trial and error, the particles Moissan discovered were successfully synthesized to produce what is now one of the world’s most scintillating gemstones.

Moissanite is engineered to give the illusion of similarity to diamonds, but is compositionally and visually quite different from a real diamond. The durability, brilliance, and color of the two gems are quite distinct.

COMPARING DURABILITY

Diamonds are easily one of the hardest natural substances on the planet. On the Mohs scale of hardness, it ranks supreme at number 10. However, moissanite isn’t very far behind, at 9.25. It is the second hardest gemstone used in jewelry, and is harder than other popular engagement ring gemstones such as sapphire (Mohs ranking 9), ruby (9) and emerald (7.5 to 8). In addition to this, moissanite is more resistant to heat than diamonds. Both diamonds and moissanites are scratch resistant and require minimal maintenance to keep them sparkling. They are ideal gemstones for daily wear.

Diamonds v/s Moissanite, Color:

While certified diamonds are graded on color and can be compared with one another, moissanite stones are not graded on color. Classic moissanite is not colorless and many feel that its color is similar to a GIA-certified K-color diamond. As with diamonds, the smaller the moissanite, the more colorless it will look. Additionally, under certain lighting, moissanite may project a yellow or green hue. This is probably the main reason that Charles and Colvard developed two options besides classic moissanite.

For those wanting a near-colorless stone, Forever Brilliant moissanite is a great option as it is noticeably less yellow (more colorless) than a classic moissanite. Many compare Forever Brilliant moissanite to a GIA-certified H-color diamond.

For those wanting a true colorless stone, you are in luck. Very recently (September 2015) Charles and Colvard released their newest brand of moissanite known as Forever One moissanite. Forever One moissanite is completely colorless and is similar to a GIA-certified E-color diamond. They are limited in shapes, sizes, and stock because of their recent release but they truly are colorless and perfect if you want an ice-white stone.

COMPARING THE APPEARANCE OF DIAMONDS AND MOISSANITES

Diamonds and moissanites are so similar in appearance that most people cannot differentiate the two. Even experts often require special equipment to tell the two apart. What a diamond is best known for is its brilliance and sparkle. The stone has a high refractive index (this refers to the angle of refraction) at 2.42. When expertly cut, the diamond’s fire, scintillation and brilliance is unmatchable. Moissanite has a higher refractive index than diamonds (2.65), and even higher levels of brilliance and fire than diamonds. However, they tend to have a ‘rainbow effect’, which is especially noticeable under natural light and in larger stones. While some people love the colorful flashes of moissanite, others feel that it makes the stone look ‘fake’. To avoid this, it’s best to go for smaller stones and to view the moissanite under different light sources prior to buying. The larger the stone is, the easier it is to tell apart from diamonds.

THE STATUS OF DIAMONDS AND MOISSANITES

Both diamonds and moissanites have their pros and cons. It is up to the individual to determine which stone is most suitable to them. This brings us to our final point. Prior to the de Beers diamond campaigns in the late 1930s, diamonds were actually going out of fashion. But clever marketing strategies created the modern image of diamonds as the ideal symbol of love and devotion. A diamond became a girl’s best friend and a man was required to spend 2 months’ salary on it. These concepts have become mainstream and diamonds are now equated to wealth, prestige, class and of course, love.

A moissanite can never achieve the social status that diamonds enjoy, at least not in the foreseeable future. To some, a moissanite is snubbed as a ‘fake’ stone, merely a diamond copycat.

Ultimately, whether you choose a diamond or a moissanite is a matter of personal preference and values.

Check out the infographic below for a quick recap comparing diamonds and moissanites.

ETHICAL CONCERNS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Although diamonds are gorgeous, there is an ugly side to them that has been highlighted through films such as blood Diamond. Diamond mining causes enormous environmental devastation. It is estimated that for every carat of diamond mined, over 1 ton of earth is taken out. Mining often leads to erosion, deforestation and barren wastelands. If you look at images of diamond mines, there is no romance there. These are empty, barren, sad-looking places. In addition to this, there is also the factor of bad working conditions, human rights abuse and the risk that your diamond may be a conflict, or blood, diamond. Avoiding an unethical diamondnis much easier these days with the adaptation of the Kimbrely Process. Since Moissanites are created in labs, the ethical and environmental issues related to moissanite are almost non-existent. There is minimum wastage of resources and good working conditions. A moissanite is truly an ethical choice.

Diamonds v/s Moissanite, the Conclusion:

While moissanite does not replicate the look of a diamond exactly, at the end of the day it presents a viable option for those not wanting to purchase a diamond for budgetary or other reasons. Colored stones, like sapphires, are beautiful options as well and can help couples create a stunning ring without paying for the higher cost of a diamond.