Moissanite Engagement Rings – Are They Worth It?

by Theodore G.

Moissanite engagement rings are a popular choice for women who don’t want to spend too much on an engagement ring or have plans of upgrading as time and budget permits. Moissanite is perhaps the closest thing to a real diamond because it shares some similar specs with diamonds. The most important two are hardness and refractive index. The hardness of moissanite is 9.25 on the mohs scale compared with a simulant like cubic zirconia which is 8.5. The difference in hardness may not look like much but it is considerable and makes this simulant more ideal in a moissanite engagement ring.  Engagement rings are expected to last a long time so why not put the most durable stone in the center if you’re not going to put a diamond.
The refractive index is the other property of moissanite that makes it so appealing to use it as a large center stone in moissanite diamond engagement rings. The way it plays with the light is something to be seen. It has a refractive index of 2.65 compared to diamond’s 2.42. Refractive index refers to the amount of light that is reflected from a clear material compared to what is absorbed. The higher the value the more light is reflected. Diamond’s refractive index is already higher than most clear gems and this gives it a high luster or what can be seen as a highly reflective surface.
Moissanite is even more highly reflective than diamond and is cut a little differently to make best use of its higher RI. Add to this fact is that this diamond look-alike has more of a rainbow effect and  can be more brilliant if cut properly. Many women opt for a large moissanite center stone of say 2 carats that can run anywhere from $800 to $1200. Then they go for actual real diamonds as side stones in sizes ranging from 5 to 15 points which sell for $300 to $600 per carat depending on quality. So they end up with the best of both worlds for substantial savings.
Discount moissanite engagement rings can be found online at stores that allow you to pick your mounting and stone and then combine that into a single purchase while they do the setting. By purchasing your mounting and allowing them to set the  moissanite you will get the stone for about 10 to 20 percent less than you would just buying the stone and mounting separately. For instance, at Moissanite & Co. you will be charged $744 for adding 2 carat sized moissanite to your purchase while at moissanite-stardust dot com the same 8 mm 2 carat stone will be $1147.
Sometimes ready made mountings just don’t look different enough  and unique moissanite engagement rings can be created by allowing a skilled goldsmith or jeweler to hand craft you a mounting of either gold or platinum. A lot of women like engagement ring styles from the  Edwardian and Art deco periods and creating vintage moissanite engagement rings around the design influences of these periods can lead to a highly individualistic look that is at the same time a classic.
Moissanite has been on the downswing of late with shares of Charles and Colvard bottoming out. The problem is that moissanite for all its good looks is still overpriced compared to other diamond imitations. I would go for a medium quality diamond over a moissanite. What I don’t like about moissanite is it’s doubly refractive property which shows up more in rounds than any other cut. It is a bit distracting and when you throw in that pronounced rainbow effect I would much rather a diamond. A diamond has that clear cut brilliance that is all black and white without the “noise” caused by dispersion. Again, this is a personal preference. Many women love the fire in a diamond and absolutely trip out when they see it in a moissanite.

Moissanite engagement rings are a popular choice for women who don’t want to spend too much on an engagement ring or have plans of upgrading as time and budget permits. Moissanite is perhaps the closest thing to a real diamond because it shares some similar specs with diamonds. The most important two are hardness and refractive index. The hardness of moissanite is 9.25 on the mohs scale compared with a simulant like cubic zirconia which is 8.5. The difference in hardness may not look like much but it is considerable and makes this simulant more ideal in a moissanite engagement ring.  Engagement rings are expected to last a long time so why not put the most durable stone in the center if you’re not going to put a diamond.

The refractive index is the other property of moissanite that makes it so appealing to use it as a large center stone in moissanite diamond engagement rings. The way it plays with the light issomething to be seen. It has a refractive index of 2.65 compared to diamond’s 2.42. Refractive index refers to the amount of light that is reflected from a clear material compared to what is absorbed. The higher the value the more light is reflected. Diamond’s refractive index is already higher than most clear gems and this gives it a high luster or what can be seen as a highly reflective surface.  Check out this engagement ring to the right with a radiant cut moissanite in the center and two trilliant moissanites on the side.

Moissanite is even more highly reflective than diamond and is cut a little differently to make best use of its higher RI. Add to this fact is that this diamond look-alike has more of a rainbow effect and  can be more brilliant if cut properly. Many women opt for a large moissanite center stone of say 2 carats that can run anywhere from $800 to $1200. Then they go for actual real diamonds as side stones in sizes ranging from 5 to 15 points which sell for $300 to $600 per carat depending on quality. So they end up with the best of both worlds for substantial savings.

Discount moissanite engagement rings can be found online at stores that allow you to pick your mounting and stone and then combine that into a single purchase while they do the setting. By purchasing your mounting and allowing them to set the  moissanite you will get the stone for about 10 to 20 percent less than you would just buying the stone and mounting separately. For instance, at Moissanite & Co. you will be charged $744 for adding 2 carat sized moissanite to your purchase while at moissanite-stardust dot com the same 8 mm 2 carat stone will be $1147.

Sometimes ready made mountings just don’t look different enough  and unique moissanite engagement rings can be created by allowing a skilled goldsmith or jeweler to hand craft you a mounting of either gold or platinum. A lot of women like engagement ring styles from the  Edwardian and Art deco periods and creating vintage moissanite engagement rings around the design influences of these periods can lead to a highly individualistic look that is at the same time a classic.

Moissanite has been on the downswing of late with shares of Charles and Colvard bottoming out. The problem is that moissanite for all its good looks is still overpriced compared to other diamond imitations. I would go for a medium quality diamond over a moissanite. What I don’t like about moissanite is it’s doubly refractive property which shows up more in rounds than any other cut. It is a bit distracting and when you throw in that pronounced rainbow effect I would much rather a diamond. A diamond has that clear cut brilliance that is all black and white without the “noise” caused by dispersion. Again, this is a personal preference. Many women love the fire in a diamond and absolutely trip out when they see it in a moissanite.

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