In the market for a piece of fine jewellery? Then look no further than moissanite. Not only does it look and feel like the “real thing”, but it also costs a fraction of the price of a diamond.
To the untrained eye, moissanite looks very similar to diamonds. Some may even say they’re indistinguishable. But when you look a little bit closer, you’ll find that they are actually quite different from one another and that moissanite boasts many unique characteristics.
Stella Moissanite, a South African jeweller working exclusively with this precious gemstone, says that despite being quite new on the market, moissanite has proven its worth and cemented its place in the fine jewellery industry.
Here’s why you might want to choose moissanite the next time you’re shopping for fine jewellery:
Hardness
Diamonds are made from pure carbon and are known as the hardest substance on earth. They measure 10/10 on Moh’s Hardness Scale (a universal scale used to measure a mineral’s resistance to scratching and its durability). Moissanites may look like diamonds, but they are not made from carbon; they’re made from silicon carbide and score an impressive 9.5 on Moh’s Hardness Scale, which is incredibly durable (compared to other gemstones like tanzanite which scores 6 – 6.5, or emeralds which score 7.5 – 8).
Brilliance
“Brilliance” is the term used to describe a gemstone’s brightness and sparkle. It refers to the amount of white light that is reflected from the various facets of a gemstone. The more brilliance a gemstone has, the better. To determine a gemstone’s brilliance, its refractive index must be measured. Moissanite’s refractive index is 2.65 – 2.69, whereas diamonds’ is 2.417. This means that moissanite shines with fiery, rainbow flashes of light that a diamond cannot achieve.
Durability
Both moissanite and diamonds are highly durable gemstones. They’re hard and scratch-resistant and they will not fade or lose their colour. Both retain their lustre forever.
Price
Moissanites are created in laboratories, and thanks to this production method, their prices are not determined by scarcity, conglomerates or high mining costs. This means that moissanite can cost a fraction of the price of diamonds. They usually cost between 50 per cent and 90 per cent less than a diamond of equivalent size, cut, colour and clarity.
Sustainability
Not only are moissanites good for your pocket, but they are also ecologically friendly and much more sustainable than diamonds and other gemstones that are mined in ways that cause harm to the environment. Moissanite gemstones are created in laboratories where there is no harm to human life or the earth. Moissanites are not used by warlords or a black market to fund wars and crimes against humanity.
Aesthetics
To the naked eye, moissanite and diamonds are indistinguishable. It’s only when direct and bright light shines on moissanite that they light up and shine with their trademark brilliance which puts diamonds and other white gemstones to shame. Moissanites are also far more superior to other gemstones and non-gemstones often used as cheap diamond alternatives, such as cubic zirconia.
Stella Moissanite offers a beautiful range of ready-to-ship rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets in 9ct and 18ct gold and platinum settings. Each item is thoughtfully designed and exquisitely crafted to show off the beauty of your moissanite gemstone.
Details: stellamoissanite.com or follow @StellaMoissanite on Facebook and Insta.
