Moissanite Engagement Rings – A Buying Guide

If you are shopping for an engagement ring, you have probably come across moissanite engagement rings. And maybe you have decided you want one. In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about this stone and how to buy the moissanite engagement ring of your dreams.

The most substantial part of any necessary purchase is 'research.' Unfortunately, finding reliable and accurate information is not always easy. Therefore, we have researched for you, compiled high-quality information, and put it into an easy-to-read, thorough guide. Read on to learn how to buy a perfect moissanite engagement ring.

What is Moissanite?

Moissanite is a naturally occurring colorless gemstone composed of silicon carbide. It was first discovered in 1893 by a French scientist named Henri Moissan in a crater created by a meteorite that fell to Earth. Moissan's initial thought was that he had discovered diamonds but later found them to be a different crystal composed of silicon carbide.

Natural moissanite is exceptionally rare, and therefore most of the moissanite available today is laboratory-created.

Moissanite as an Engagement Ring Stone

Moissanite engagement rings have become a desirable favorite among today's couples because of their appealing beauty, durability, and affordability.

Another primary reason modern couples choose moissanite is for ethical and environmental considerations. Moissanite is a manufactured stone, and there is no mining involved in its production. 

[Read: Lab-grown Diamonds Vs Moissanite and Cubic Zirconia: What You Need to Know]

Moissanite Meaning

Being one of the rarest minerals found in nature, and because it was discovered in a meteorite, moissanite is a "gemstone born from the stars" and is valued for its tenacious brilliance.

And because it is one of the strongest gemstones available, people say that it can represent a solid and unbreakable love between you and your significant other.

How Durable is Moissanite?

Moissanite is one of the hardest gemstones, ranking at 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them second only to diamonds in durability. They are much harder than other popular gemstones like sapphires, emeralds, or rubies. Due to their strong durability, they are highly resistant to scratching or breaking and are an excellent option for daily wear.

How to Buy Moissanite?

Buying a gemstone is not a piece of cake, especially when you purchase something that has an emotional value attached to it, such as an engagement ring.

Listed below are some of the primary factors you should consider when purchasing a good-quality moissanite engagement ring.

The 4C's of Moissanite 

Color

Moissanites are available in two color qualities, i.e., "colorless" and "near-colorless." 

Diamond color is graded on a scale of D-Z, with D being colorless and Z being a light yellow or brown. Most available moissanite resembles the K grade, while premium moissanite is nearly colorless and corresponds to a G or H-graded diamond. Super-premium moissanite gems are colorless, falling within the D-F range.

Even colorless moissanite can reflect a green, yellow or grayish hue in certain lights. The larger the moissanite, the more noticeable the color. 

Clarity

Most of the moissanite available in the market is eye-clean, which signifies that any tiny inclusions or blemishes are not visible to the naked eye. To get the most fire and brilliance, one should look for flawless or slightly included moissanite gemstone. Usually, moissanite's clarity is graded as "very good" and "good," with very little difference between both grades.

Cut

Cut refers to the shape a stone is cut into, as well as the stone's proportions, symmetry, and polish.

Moissanite is primarily graded on its color; however, cut quality will enhance the stone's sparkle. As moissanite's optical properties are different from diamonds, an expert cutter must cut the stone accordingly. 

Moissanites can be cut into any typical gemstone shape, but similar to diamonds, the most popular shape by far is the round brilliant cut. This classic cut maximizes the stone's fire and is also extremely versatile to wear.

Generally, moissanite looks best in cuts that hide color and emphasize brilliance, such as the princess cut (for moissanite, this shape is often referred to as the "square cut"), along with marquise, pear, cushion, radiant, and heart cuts.

Carat

Moissanites are lighter than natural diamonds. A moissanite stone will weigh approximately 15% less than a diamond of the same size. Therefore, moissanite is measured by size and not by carat weight.

The most common moissanite sizes in jewelry are 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm, 7.5mm, and 8mm. A 6.5mm moissanite, for example, will fit perfectly in a setting that houses a one-carat diamond, which will weigh 0.88 carats.

Moissanite Engagement Ring Settings

What qualities would one want in an engagement ring - durability, affordability, and beauty?!

A moissanite engagement ring is a perfect blend of these three qualities and becoming increasingly popular among new couples as the center stone for an engagement ring.

Moissanite goes with almost every type of ring setting. As they are strong and durable stones, they can be set in delicate styles such as tension or solitaire settings.

The three most popular settings for moissanite rings are :

Halo

A halo setting highlights the beauty and sparkle of the main stone. There is one bigger center stone (moissanite in this setting and an ensemble of other smaller stones surrounding it.

Three-Stone

As the name suggests, this setting has three main stones. The center stone is usually the largest, with the side stones being smaller in size. The stones can be the same shape, or the two side stones can be different from the middle one. Interestingly, in some cultures, the three-stone setting in engagement rings is interpreted as the trilogy of a relationship – love, friendship, and loyalty.

Solitaire

The solitaire setting features one stone (no halo or side accents), accentuating the gemstone-like no other setting. It's a classic and all-time favorite.

Moissanite Metal Pairings

The power of moissanite is that it is universally appealing and looks equally stunning in every metal; yellow gold, rose gold, white gold, silver, or platinum. It is all a matter of personal preference. 

Yellow gold is a traditional and classic choice for the base metal; rose gold is appreciated by trendsetters, while white gold or platinum are timeless choices. 

"Classic" moissanite has a yellowish or brownish color, often compared to J through M color diamond. This range works best with yellow gold or rose gold settings and vintage styles.

Why Should You Buy Moissanite?

• Environment friendly: Moissanite is called a 'socially responsible gem' because it is grown in a controlled environment and requires no mining to produce, resulting in almost zero impact on the environment. You can pair them with recycled metal to make your ring super sustainable.
• Durability: Moissanite scores 9.25 on the Mohs scale, making it one of the hardest substances on Earth and highly suitable for day-to-day wear. They are highly resistant to chipping and scratching.
• Affordability: Moissanites are not exorbitantly priced like diamonds. A Moissanite costs much less than a same-sized diamond. Even lab-created diamonds are at a higher price than moissanite.
• Appearance: While a diamond engagement ring certainly sparkles, moissanite has the potential to sparkle more. Due to their higher refractive index, they are shinier and more refractive than diamonds— moissanite sparkles with a rainbow effect which is remarkable and unique. 

Watch Diamonds vs Moissanite, What's the Difference?

Diamond vs Moissanite

Brilliant, durable, and near-colorless, diamond and moissanite are often compared. However, you can see that these two unique stones have several vital differences under closer examination.

• The most obvious difference is that moissanite and diamond are two entirely different stones with different chemical compositions, physical characteristics, and optical properties. Moissanite's chemical composition is silicon carbide, and a diamond is composed of carbon.
• While both sparkle, moissanite has a higher brilliance than diamond when comparing refractive indexes. Moissanite's measurement of brilliance or refractive index (RI) of 2.65-2.69 is about 10% higher than diamond's RI of 2.42.
• Moissanite has over twice the dispersion value of a diamond, which means that it has a greater fire (or display of spectral colors). If you place a diamond and moissanite next to each other under strong lighting, the moissanite will likely produce stronger flashes of color.
• Moissanite gives off a rainbow-like sparkle, while diamonds reflect whiter light.

Should you use Moissanite to Fake a Diamond?

We don't suggest passing it off as a diamond because although they look very similar, visual differences are seen with the naked eye. Also, moissanite has bragging rights; you can let everyone know you chose a super-sustainable gem that's more brilliant than a Diamond!

Even though moissanite is the only gemstone (other than Diamond) that "passes" as a Diamond on a standard handheld diamond point tester, moissanite's extreme fire gives it away in most brilliant-cut stones.

Tip: Emerald and Asscher cut moissanite can "pass" as diamonds much more easily than other cuts, as these shapes glimmer instead of sparkle, making the telltale fire less noticeable.

How to Tell the Difference Between Moissanite and Diamond

If you are trying to visually tell the difference between a diamond and moissanite, try moving the stone around and carefully watching the sparkle. Does it have an equal amount of white and colored light? Or does it have a ton of sparkly colored light? Stones with extreme fire may be moissanite.

Another way to tell is by looking through the stone's side facets down to the culet (the bottom point). If the culet appears doubled, you do not have a diamond.

Will you Regret a Moissanite Engagement Ring?

Not if you love moissanite for what it is. If you love it because of its rainbow fire, super sustainability, and excellent durability, then you will not be disappointed. However, if you buy moissanite solely to pass as a diamond, you will eventually long for a natural diamond. 

Caring for a Moissanite Engagement Ring

Moissanite is durable and holds up to exposure well. However, it's essential to take care of moissanite to avoid the stone losing its brilliance due to dirt and grime build-up.

Moissanite doesn't get cloudy, but it can lose its sparkle due to residue build-up. Clean the stone regularly using warm water and mild soap.

Store your moissanite engagement ring separately to avoid it damaging other jewelry. Also, when engaging in strenuous activity, it's a good idea to take off your moissanite ring to prevent accidental damage.

Shop for Moissanite Engagement Rings

If diamonds are forever, moissanite is for eternity!

While shopping for moissanite, like shopping for any other gemstone, there are a few things to consider. 

• The most important aspect to remember is that you can find high-quality moissanite for a reasonable price, so don't settle for a stone with visible imperfections in clarity or color.
• Look for that high degree of fire, a bright luster, and a good polish with very minimal surface scratches.
• Shop with a retailer you trust to get the most for your money. 
• Remember that moissanite looks good in any setting and pairs well with various gemstone accents, including diamonds.

Where to Buy Moissanite Engagement Rings

We love shopping for moissanite jewelry on Etsy. With a wide array of moissanite jewelry available, you are bound to find something that will suit your budget and style. Also, many shops offer customization. 

Because there is an abundance of shops on Etsy, it can be hard to narrow down the best ones. Therefore, we have vetted four of the best shops on Etsy for purchasing moissanite engagement rings to get you started. All of these shops have 5-star ratings and thousands of sales. 

Check out these Etsy shops for moissanite engagement rings:

• Reindeer Co.
• Sapheena
• Lomantic
• Love by OhKuol

Shop now to buy a moissanite engagement ring of your dreams!