What is Moissanite and is it Your New Best Friend?
Diamonds Were a Girl’s Best Friend but There’s a New Gem in Town
For decades, thanks to DeBeers and its “Diamonds Are Forever” campaign, the world believed that the best way to express love and devotion to someone is by gifting diamonds. However, the diamond trade is notorious for its unfair labor practices especially when it comes to human rights, leading to the term “Blood Diamonds.”
Yet, many of us often look away from the consequences of diamond mining, which not only ruins lives but also harms nature. The diamond industry has long faced criticism for unethical mining practices, including human rights abuses and environmental destruction.
In contrast, lab-grown diamonds and moissanite offer conflict-free alternatives, with the modern day moissanite standing out as a gemstone that doesn’t require mining at all. Furthermore, let’s not forget that a diamond’s value is unregulated, unlike gold.
With advancements in technology, diamonds are no longer considered a luxury item. Around the world, more people are choosing lab-grown diamonds due to their affordability and ethical considerations. Unlike natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are free from conflict, which is a primary reason for many people’s preference.
In addition, another natural gem has recently gained popularity: Moissanite. Moissanite is a naturally occurring precious stone that originated from space. It was first discovered in a meteor crater in Arizona in 1893 by the Nobel Prize-winning French scientist Henri Moissan. Today, natural moissanite are rare and the majority of the stone are lab created.
The main difference between moissanite and diamond lies in their composition. Diamonds are made of carbon, whereas moissanites are composed of silicon carbide. This difference affects their hardness. On the Mohs hardness scale, which ranks the scratch resistance of minerals, diamonds receive a score of 10, while moissanites score 9.25, making moissanites slightly less hard than diamonds.
Considering moissanite is a weaker stone than a diamond, why then would we consider the stone and not just opt for a diamond as always? The truth as they say, is in the pudding.
For starters, the price difference between a moissanite and a diamond is staggering! One carat of lab created moissanite can cost between USD 300 and 600, meanwhile a one carat diamond can cost between USD 5000 and 18000.
Historically, diamonds have been considered valuable and precious because of their brilliance and sparkle. However, when it comes to brilliance, moissanite outshines diamonds. Additionally, moissanite is less likely to attract dirt, allowing it to maintain its brilliance for a longer time between cleanings. For someone who is always on the go or anyone who prefers to enjoy life without worrying about a ring cleaning schedule, moissanite is the ideal choice for a carefree and happy lifestyle.
Although price is a major differential factor between moissanite and diamond, let’s not forget the main purpose of why we are buying these stones in the first place.
If a person is looking to invest in diamonds, moissanite would not be a great alternative. However, if the purpose of buying this precious gem is to express love or to commemorate an occasion such as an engagement or a wedding, without any intention of reselling it, then moissanite would be a better investment.
In the past, expressing love through jewelry was largely limited to precious stones like sapphires, rubies, and emeralds, with diamonds reigning supreme.
However, today, many people are considering factors beyond just monetary value and aesthetics. Increasingly, individuals are focused on sustainability, ethics, and eco-friendliness when choosing their jewelry.
Moissanite may have existed for many years but it has only gained popularity recently. Millennials and Gen Z today are more focused on travel and experiences than possessions.
In a time when people value function over fashion, it’s easy to understand why many are choosing Moissanite.
What about you? Which will it be?
As consumer values shift towards ethics and affordability, the choice between a lab-created marvel and a mined tradition is clearer than ever. What’s truly precious to you? Will Diamonds remain your best friend or is moissanite your new bestie?