In the last few years, a stunning gemstone has been shaping the world of jewelry by providing couples and fashionistas with a viable and ethical alternative to diamonds that is gorgeous and considerably more affordable. Once a rare mineral found in a meteor, moissanite has become the gemstone of choice for anyone searching for as much sparkle as possible for less money.
What is moissanite?
Moissanite is a naturally occurring silicon carbide crystal, named after French scientist Henri Moissan, who discovered it in 1893 in a meteorite crater in Arizona. Moissanite is so rare that most moissanite sold today is lab-created from advanced, sophisticated lab technology. Lab-created moissanite is often identical to the real thing and is called a “real” moissanite gem.
Moissanite has its own unique properties that set it apart from other stones, and especially diamonds, too. The first unique property is the brilliance of diamonds. Moissanite’s refractive index sets it a different level of flamboyance than that of diamonds; moissanite’s refraction index is higher (in carat weight), which naturally makes moissanite to have a more dazzling sparkle and to produce those pretty rainbow flashes when the light hits the stone. This brilliance and fire enhances its popularity and trendiness as we see it in contemporary jewelry.
The Rise of Ethical Jewelry Choices
Today’s consumers are extremely aware of the sourcing of their jewelry. Laboratory-created moissanite is a conflict-free alternative to traditional mining – it does not contribute to environmental devastation or unethical labor conditions. It’s clear that this ethical aspect of moissanite is a big draw for millennial and Gen Z consumers.
Fashion magazines have taken note of this. Vogue has discussed moissanite in several of its recent sustainable luxury articles and Elle magazine recently flagged moissanite-conscious consumers as one of the new consumer categories that are becoming increasingly important.
Moissanite vs. Diamond: The Practical Comparison
When contrasting moissanite with diamonds, there are several features that make moissanite an appealing choice:
Durability: Moissanite has an exceptionally durable stone quality, with a Mohs hardness rating of 9.25, and only diamond with a hardness of 10, scoring higher. This makes moissanite the second-hardest gemstone available.
Brilliance: Moissanite has a high refractive index (2.65-2.69) in comparison to diamonds (2.42), giving more sparkly brilliance and “fire” to the moissanite gemstone.
Value: Moissanite ranges from 80-90% less in price versus a diamond of equal quality, which means a customer could buy a large stone and/or more intricate stone to set than if purchasing a diamond.
Color choices: Diamonds are often prized for being colorless, whereas moissanite can be sold in many colors, including the popular near-colorless, as well as fancy colors of yellow, green, and gray.
Popular Moissanite Jewelry Styles
Moissanite’s adaptability makes it ideal for multiple jewelry purposes—
Engagement Rings: Certified moissanite diamond alternatives are gaining traction as couples now feel they can enter their marriage without debt from either the center stone or nearly as large of a center stone, yet still have a fabulous eye-catcher.
Fashion Rings: Outside of bridal jewelry, moissanite fashion rings are also trending for those who are fashionable and want to show off their stones while enjoying the sparkle the moissanite inhabits for the everyday ring-wearer.
Earrings and Pendants: Because of moissanite’s exceptional fire, their best application is alongside jewelry that fuses moissanite’s fire with movement.
Celebrity endorsements have also been beneficial. Several celebrities have been mentioned in People magazine as having selected moissanite for personal endeavors, both for red carpets and as personal collections.
Caring For Moissanite Jewelry
Caring for moissanite jewelry could not be simpler. For periodic cleaning we recommend a mild soap and warm water option with a soft brush.
- Please do not apply any chemicals either by spraying it on or in an ultrasonic cleaner.
- Store it separately in a safe place so it doesn’t scratch other jewelry.
- And I suggest having it professionally cleaned and inspected every year
The durability of moissanite means that you can wear it every day without appreciation of the brilliance it offers, making your lifestyle more practical.
When you’re shopping for moissanite, these will help you:
Certification: Make sure the moissanite you are considering came with certification that states duration quality and specification
Cut Quality: Cut always matters for sparkle and brilliance, like diamonds, and always choose the best cut sire to maximize sparkle
Setting Styles: Consider your setting style to maximize the fire and brilliance
Size: Since choosing a moissanite is more economical, you can often choose sizes on your budget that you would not choose with diamonds
A lot of jewelry lovers are really just discovering that a beautiful moissanite ring can provide all the elegance and sophistication that they would possess while still considering the price.
The Future of Moissanite
Women’s Health and InStyle magazine say there is no slowing down when it comes to ethical, sustainable jewelry. Even USA Today is noticing that lab-created gemstones are being accepted across all generations.
Experts in the field say that moissanite will continue to gain a market share as more and more consumers choose value, ethical, and brilliant over the traditional status. Moissanite has unique characteristics and practicality for continued growth in the jewelry industry.
The key is knowing what you care about most: a traditional prestige, a maximum sparkle, ethically sourced, and/or your budget. Many people care about all the above, and moissanite checks all the boxes of having a beautiful and brilliant gemstone in today’s world with the values of today.
As the jewelry industry moves forward, moissanite shows up as a gemstone that exemplifies the modern ideas of beauty, responsibility, and intelligence in your spending. Regardless if it is in a classic solitaire setting or a more contemporary design, moissanite remains winning hearts due to its fire and brilliance.
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