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Can A Moissanite Ring Look As Good As A Diamond Ring ?

by Theodore G.

Moissanite other wise known as silicon carbide is a rare mineral that is commonly found in meteorites and in the earth. It belongs to the carbon group and because of its similarity to diamonds it has been used in jewelry ever since it began to be commercially produced by Charles and Colvard. They are the worldwide patent holders of the particular manufacturing process and are a major distributor of created moissanite jewelry.

The moissanite ring had been a popular choice as a less expensive substitute for a diamond ring when this mineral arrived in the jewelry market in 1998. Moissanite has a hardness of 9.25 on the mohs scale, a bit short of the 10 that diamond currently enjoys. The refractive index is slightly higher than that of a diamond which means that more light bounces off its surface and it also has twice as much dispersion.

So moissanite has some properties that no other diamond simulant has and it looks significantly more appealing than any other simulant and is much less than diamond in price for sizes a carat and over. This is why you see a lot of women wearing moissanite engagement rings. Because of the inherent beauty of this stone and its cheaper price J.C. Penney went big time into carrying the lab created diamond imitator and in doing so made the moissanite engagement ring a popular alternative to the diamond engagement ring.

To take advantage of the superior optics of this synthetic mineral, it is usually cut shallower than a diamond and this allows to be as brilliant if not more so than a diamond. This is how moissanite rings and moissanite earrings became popular. Moissanite studs with a combined weight of 2 carats or more offered substantial saving while delivering the brilliance similar to that of diamonds and significantly better than cubic zirconia.

These larger sized stones became popular in all sorts of moissanite wedding rings. The moissanite solitaire ring and the moissanite eternity ring became bridal staples in stores like JC Penny and Helzberg Diamonds. When moissanite is cut to its own proportions, that is when it comes alive. For instance, diamonds are usually cut with a 34.5° crown angle which on a diamond is great for dispersion but a moissanite will actually block light from escaping the stone with this crown angle. However when it is cut a bit shallower with a lower crown angle it really shines by allowing more light to exit the stone through the crown. Moissanite solitaire rings show a fire that is not there in diamond. You see more of this rainbow effect and you see more surface area for a given weight than diamond because of the shallow cut and the high refractive index.

Moissanite other wise known as silicon carbide is a rare mineral that is commonly found in meteorites and in the earth. It belongs to the carbon group and because of its similarity to diamonds it has been used in jewelry ever since it began to be commercially produced by Charles and Colvard.

They are the worldwide patent holders of the particular manufacturing process and are a major distributor of created moissanite jewelry.

The moissanite ring had been a popular choice as a less expensive substitute for a diamond ring when this mineral arrived in the jewelry market in 1998.

Moissanite has a hardness of 9.25 on the mohs scale, a bit short of the 10 that diamond currently enjoys. The refractive index is slightly higher than that of a diamond which means that more light bounces off its surface and it also has twice as much dispersion as can be seen in this image to the left where the splitting of white light into a rainbow is fairly evident and the doubly refractive property gives it more internal reflections than you see in a diamond.

So moissanite has some properties that no other diamond simulant has and it looks significantly more appealing than any other simulant and is much less than diamond in price for sizes a carat and over. This is why you see a lot of women wearing moissanite engagement rings.

Because of the inherent beauty of this stone and its cheaper price J.C. Penney went big time into carrying the lab created diamond imitator and in doing so made the moissanite engagement ring a popular alternative to the diamond engagement ring.

White gold wedding ring sets in this man made stone are very popular even with other retailers as well.

To take advantage of the superior optics of this synthetic mineral, it is usually cut shallower than a diamond and this allows to be as brilliant if not more so than a diamond. This is how moissanite rings and moissanite earrings became popular.

At this size they still have the brilliance of diamonds but beyond 2 carats twt the rainbow effect and doubly refractive look of moissanite becomes apparent. This 1 Carat Twt pair is available at AMAZON for $300 to $350 and has 3 five star reviews.

Moissanite studs with a combined weight of 2 carats or more offered substantial saving while delivering the brilliance similar to that of diamonds and significantly better than cubic zirconia. However the best selling size is still the 1 carat total weight shown to the left.

These larger sized stones became popular in all sorts of moissanite wedding rings. The moissanite solitaire ring and the moissanite eternity ring became bridal staples in stores like JC Penny and Helzberg Diamonds.

When moissanite is cut to its own proportions, that is when it comes alive. For instance, diamonds are usually cut with a 34.5° crown angle which on a diamond is great fordispersion but a moissanite will actually block light from escaping the stone with this crown angle.

However when it is cut a bit shallower with a lower crown angle it really shines by allowing more light to exit the stone through the crown as you can see in the ring to your right.

Moissanite solitaire rings show a fire that is not there in diamond. You see more of this rainbow effect and you see more surface area for a given weight than diamond because of the shallow cut and the high refractive index.

$292.50

14k Gold .45-ct. T.W. Moissanite Stick Pendant

Kohls Straight to the heart. This moissanite stick pendant is a sparkling way to say "I love you." Treat yourself or someone special to this gorgeous 14k gold necklace.

$742.50

14k Gold .92-ct. T.W. Moissanite Journey Pendant

Kohls Sentimental journey. This moissanite pendant symbolizes a lifetime of love. Treat yourself or someone special to this gorgeous 14k gold necklace. Please note, due to the high value of this item, a signature may be required upon delivery.

$337.50

14k Gold 1/2-ct. T.W. Moissanite Journey Bypass Ring

Kohls Journey of a lifetime. This moissanite bypass ring sparkles with timeless beauty. Treat yourself or someone special to this dazzling 14k gold ring.

$506.25

14k Gold 1/5-ct. T.W. Moissanite and Ruby Hoop Earrings

Kohls A little touch of sparkle. Moissanite and ruby stones give these hinged hoop earrings a gorgeous glow. Light up any ensemble with these dazzling 14k gold hoops. Please note, due to the high value of this item, a signature may be required upon delivery.

$595.00

14K GOLD MOISSANITE JOURNEY RIBBON EARRINGS .55CTW

Stauer 14K GOLD MOISSANITE JOURNEY RIBBON EARRINGS .55CTW

$575.00

14K GOLD MOISSANITE JOURNEY RIBBON PENDANT .75 CTW

Stauer 14K GOLD MOISSANITE JOURNEY RIBBON PENDANT .75 CTW

$495.00

14K GOLD MOISSANITE STUD EARRINGS (.82 CTW)

Stauer 14K GOLD MOISSANITE STUD EARRINGS (.82 CTW)

$180.00

14k Gold- and Platinum-Over-Silver .28-ct. Moissanite and Diamond Accent J-Hoop Earrings

Kohls Pure elegance. These moissanite and diamond accent J-hoop earrings are simply captivating. Featuring a platinum-over-sterling silver construction and 14k gold-over-sterling silver accents, these hoops will light up any look.

$506.25

14k White Gold 1/5-ct. T.W. Moissanite and Sapphire Hoop Earrings

Kohls A little touch of glamour. Moissanite and sapphire stones give these hinged hoop earrings a sumptuous glow. Light up any ensemble with these dazzling 14k white gold hoops. Please note, due to the high value of this item, a signature may be required upon delivery.

$839.00

Moissanite And Diamond Engagement Ring Vintage Style 1.05 Ct

Sears.com A beautiful retro vintage look! A moissanite and diamond engagement ring in 14k white gold