The jewelry industry has witnessed an upsurge in the demand for Moissanite rings. They are now one of the most beautiful and elegant ring stones available today. As a result, the dominant diamond options are getting alternatives to them. Today, there are many more people buying moissanite than before. It is not without reason that the love for moissanite continues to grow over the years.
A French scientist, Henri Moissan discovered moissanite in 1879. Since then, it has been used as a gemstone and as an alternative to diamonds. In fact, this material is considered to be the best substitute for diamonds. This is because it is very hard and durable. It can withstand high temperatures and extreme pressure.
With continued study and research around this stone, dealers can now make this precious stone in the lab. They discovered that it is Silicon Carbide (SiC). In that case, they can now create this type of crystal called moissanite. Manufacturing it in the lab has opened the doors for more manufacturers to produce this stone. These days, moissanite is being manufactured all across the world.
What is the difference between Moissanite and diamonds?
Moissanite is a synthetic gemstone that has similar properties to diamond. The only difference is that moissanite is much cheaper. Both moissanite and diamonds are precious stones. They both come from the same mineral, but they differ in their chemical composition. Moissanite is composed of silicon carbide (SiC) and carbon, whereas diamonds are composed of pure carbon.
Despite their close resemblance, these two stones are different. These differences are what make Moissanite a beautiful ring stone. They include:
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Fire and brilliance
Due to improved manufacturing processes, moissanite has a higher refractive index than diamond. Therefore, it reflects light better than any other gemstone. It gives off a brilliant glow when seen under a bright light. Diamonds on the other hand have a lower refractive index. This means that they reflect less light. When viewed under a bright light, they appear duller than moissanite.
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Hardness
Moissanite is harder than diamond. It is ten times harder than diamond. This means that it is able to resist scratches and abrasions better than diamonds. It is also stronger than diamonds. It can sustain greater impact forces than diamonds.
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Chemical stability
Diamonds are chemically unstable. They react with oxygen and water. This causes them to lose some of their hardness. Moissanite, however, is stable. It does not react with oxygen or water. It remains strong even after exposure to heat and moisture. This is good quality for an item of use on a daily basis.
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Durability
Diamonds are known to break easily due to their soft nature. Moissanite, on the other hand, is extremely tough. It is resistant to shocks and vibrations. Again, it can endure heavy loads. It can even sustain high-speed impacts. Everyone wants durable rings and that is why moissanite provides a great alternative. It will give you good service for a long period.
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Custom Shapes and Sizes
Moissanite offers different options when it comes to shape and size. You can choose from round, square, oval, pear, emerald, heart, marquise, cushion, princess, radiant cut, baguette, and many others. All you need to do is select your desired shape and size. Therefore, you can get to tweak your ring style the way you want it using these many size options.
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Cost
The price of moissanite is far below the cost of diamonds. This is why moissanite is becoming popular among consumers. Such a trend is evident due to the ease of producing moissanite in the laboratory. Compared to diamond, which people mine from the earth's crust, moissanite is quite affordable.
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Ease of cleaning
Cleaning and maintaining moissanite is easier than cleaning and maintaining diamonds. Due to its hardness, moissanite requires minimal maintenance. Unlike diamonds, it does not require polishing. However, it should be cleaned regularly to remove dust particles.
When you want to buy a ring, moissanite is one of the best materials to use. It is a perfect choice for engagement rings. You will get a stunning piece of jewelry at a fraction of the cost of diamonds. Most importantly, it gives you diamond-like properties at this affordable cost.
