Diamonds and Moissanite appear identical. Both are clear stones with a brilliant fire. One is very much cheaper than the other.
Which should you choose?
One look at the prices and moissanite seems like the better buy.
Then again, diamonds are way more expensive because diamonds are natural gemstones that are rare and are mined from the earth itself. Diamonds are precious. The moissanite you see in stores is actually an artificial gemstone. Often used as diamond substitute as they look very much alike. Diamonds are rare and precious while more moissanite can be made any time to meet any demand. Diamonds are an investment. Moissanite is well... decorative.
When are diamonds appropriate? When would moissanite be the better bet?
As diamond prices tend to be really high, especially for the larger, whiter diamonds, for glamorous jewelry that features large "diamonds", to be worn at a function, go for moissanite.
Huge real diamonds set in jewelry would be way too expensive to wear safely, in public without bodyguards following you around. In fact, high society ladies who own such covetable real diamond jewelry would lock the diamonds in the safe and wear moissanite replicas or other diamond replicas of the real jewelry in public.
If the jewelry in question is an engagement ring, please go for the real thing. She is not going to be impressed if that 3 carat diamond ring is actually moissanite and not diamonds. She might even be humiliated if she tells her friends about it and later finds that it is not a real diamond. Better get her a smaller diamond you can afford than a huge moissanite, for important jewelry like these.
How about that diamond stud earrings?
Or that diamond tennis bracelet you intend to wear all the time.
Should you go for moissanite?
That depends on your budget and your taste. Moissanite is more brilliant than diamond but the light tends to be harsh. Some people think it looks fake and cheap and has a disco light effect. Others love the extra brilliance.
If you like the extra brilliance and are on a relatively tight budget but want something that dazzles and really catches the eye, moissanite is your rock.
If you also want your jewelry to double up as an investment in case of hard times, then the answer is to stick to diamonds all the way.
If you prefer diamonds, choose your diamond carefully. Especially if you want your diamonds because of their investment value. Look at the 4 Cs. Carat, Color, Clarity and Cut. A good quality diamond, preferably round as round diamonds are easier to resell, with a clarity of VS2 or better and a color H or better would be best.
» left by Einstien from New York (3 years 271 days ago.)
No offense to the writer...but there are a few facts s/he's leaving out. 1)Moissanite is rarer than diamonds 2) Both can be produced in Labs(gemesis) 3) De beers has artrifically raised diamond prices and i think diamonds prces will crash in 10 years Respond to this comment
» left by MIA from UK (3 years 172 days ago.)
Another fact left out about moissanite is that it is naturally occurring but only in meteroites. It cannot be mined on earth in the sizes required for setting into jewellery. Therefore, since we do not have the technology to mine meteorites it has to be grown for use in jewellery. Also - if it concerns you - it also does not have the exploitation associated with diamonds (miners to little children cutting diamonds in Indian sweat shops). Respond to this comment
» left by Marie from Antwerp, belgium (3 years 158 days ago.)
When have you actually sold a second hand diamond at a profit? Diamonds are not a good investment. Their prices have been ridiculously and artifically inflated, I am saddened to see so many people falling for it. Not to mention the serious lack of ethic associated with diamond production.... Respond to this comment
» left by catherine from mobile, al (3 years 134 days ago.)
I agree with all of the above comments. I dont know if any of the information used in this article is based on real fact. Moissanite is very rare and actually does go up in value over time. Diamonds continue to be mined, and DeBeers releases them as they please to keep the cost high. Big scam if you ask me! Respond to this comment
» left by Anonymous (1 year 349 days ago.)
I have a beautiful moissanite band, will soon be getting an engagement ring to match (also moissanite, at my request), and will never go near diamonds again (although I live in L.A. and can well afford them). My ring has maximum sparkle, is extremely durable, gets tons of compliments and continues to fool my jeweler each time she cleans it. De Beers is to thank for all the diamond hype. I'm just so sick of reading articles by uninformed, biased people who raise their noses in the air for something that is overpriced, controversially mined and a poor investment. Diamond may be some girls' best friend, but moissanite is mine. Respond to this comment
» left by Anonymous (1 year 302 days ago.)
No offense to the writer, but there are some major problems with this article that need to be corrected.
Diamonds an investment? Diamonds rare? I disagree on the first, and the second is factually incorrect.
The fact is, moissanite is rarer, and has a higher refractive index, i.e. it's sparklier. The whole reason diamond is so prized in jewelry is that it had a very high refractive index, and moissanite beats it.
More importantly, moissanite does not have the evil history that diamonds do. The atrocities that have plagued Sierra Leone and other diamond-producing third-world countries for generations are a direct result of the artificial inflation of diamond prices by DeBeers and its compatriots. By going with moissanite --or another beautiful gemstone such as sapphire, ruby, aquamarine, etc-- you can have a gorgeous ring without supporting one of the most manipulative and damaging industries in human history. Respond to this comment
» left by Anonymous (1 year 302 days ago.)
To the commenter who bought moissanite in LA: Where'd you buy it? I just moved to the area and am looking for a store to buy a moissanite ring. Respond to this comment
» left by Anne from Salt Lake (363 days 8 hours ago.)
My boyfriend and i just picked out a moissanite stone to put into my setting and it looks just like a diamond but for a third of the cost!!! Diamonds are a rip off! WAY too expensive. People just think that diamonds are everything because that is what the market wants you to believe
» left by Carla U. from New York (342 days 22 hours ago.)
I went to Zales and fell in love with a 3 stone diamond ring.
My husband is to buy one for our anniversary.They have the same one at moissanite and i suggested he buy it because of the affordable price. I just hope i dont regret this decission. I will let you know once i get it whether it was as beautiful as the real thing
Diamonds are an investment? I think not! When my husband died I needed money so I decided to sell my engagement ring. I was offered half of what he paid fifteen years before. Next time around I insisted on moissanite even though we could well afford a natural diamond. It is magnificent. Not only did we save a fortune on the ring, but there's no need to pay for insurance either. I'd rather put the money in the bank for my kids than put it in DeBeer's pocket.
I'm specifically asking for a moissanite engagement ring. "Moissanite is decorative"-- thats kind of the point...as well as the sentimental value of the ring. Plus, I think having a "moon rock" is way cooler than having a normal rock, any day!! ;)
I, too, have been awed by diamonds for the last 25 years. This past year I bought a beautiful Moissanite ring set in 18k white gold. I have had several compliments on this ring, no one ever asks if it is "real", but if they do, I would reply "yes", because Moissanite is a "real" gemstone!
Wow, thanks to your comments i want a Moissanite engagement ring! I just have to convince my boyfriend who is so stuck on traditions and brand names. I would rather have an investment in my home than on my finger anyway. AND, anyone who has had jewelry stolen from them, would agree to have a more meaningful investment. Moreover, i do not, under any circumstances want to wear a gift the someone either had to die for or was exploited for. Too bad i am a trend setter not a follower, also too and i am modest, so i wont be the one sizing up my 'diamond' or bragging about the amount for Karats for status quo. -Kitty-
» left by Mrs2b from United Kingdom (251 days 1 hour ago.)
This article just goes to show the amount of brainwashing that has taken place in our society. Whilst the diamond co op are getting richer, we in this terrible economic situation are still encouraged to spend our lifes savings to buy that beautiful diamond ring! I think it is discusting!. I am a 29 year old with 2 small children, there was no way i would allow my fiance to purchase a diamond ring (although that is what he wanted as it was tradition!) after discussing it and soul searching we went with moissanite for my center stone, and it is gorgeous, yes it has a slight tint in certain lights but it makes it all the more interesting! My ring is inspired from the stars and morally my heart is clean being that i am afro caribbean that none of my ancestors or fellow human beings were amputated for me to be popular! have a look on youtube about blood diamonds...is it worth it? if it was your child, mother, wife, daughter, brother, father who worked in these mines would you wear it and boast about it?
I do not agree with this article. My husband recently purchased a new engagement ring with a moissanite center stone at my request. We can afford a diamond, but for what!? It is not an investment. And, not to mention the human rights issues surrounding mined diamonds for that are outrageously marked up for huge profits. Many women use alternative gemstones for engagement rings. I also think that moissanite is beautiful. I can't wait until my moissanite ring is completed! Isn't all jewelry meant to be decorative!?
I chose moissanite for my engagement ring (3 carat solitaire), and we took it to 4 different jewelry stores, and they ALL thought it was a diamond. Two of the men got the loup out and said it looked like a G color diamond, and they complimented me on it!! I will never EVER buy a diamond again. That is just pure stupidity to waste that much money, when you can get moissanite which sparkles even more. One tip though, get the round or the cushion. The princess and pear and all of the other cuts show way too much color. Almost a dark greenish yellow. I was told by a moissanite expert to stick with round or cushion.
» left by Anonymous (6 hours 38 minutes ago.) New Comment!
My husband and I were looking at rings today to replace my wedding set that I can no longer wear. The setting I chose can be done in diamonds or moissanite. The moissanite option being much cheaper. I was torn as to what to do and this will be the last ring I buy. After reading this article I am sure I will be doing the moissanite version. Thanks!!!
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