Diamonds vs. Moissanite: Choosing an Engagement Ring

Are you ready to propose to your girlfriend? If so, then we’re going to assume you’ve given this a lot of thought and have finally decided you found “the one” and want to settle down. Now the next step is to buy an engagement ring.

Traditionally, the center stone in engagement rings is a diamond. But in this day and age, there are other options for those who are looking for affordable yet equally beautiful engagement rings. Diamond rings are and will always be a woman’s best friend but if you’re on a tight budget, you can consider buying a moissanite engagement ring, which is slowly gaining popularity these days.

Discovered in 1893, the moissanite is a scarce and rare mineral. It was initially found in a meteor crater. Nowadays, moissanite is almost exclusively grown inside a laboratory.

Let’s compare diamonds and moissanites in terms of brilliance, hardness, color and price to help you make a decision:

1. Brilliance

Brilliance is a characteristic that refers to the stone’s ability to reflect white light. It’s a measure for how well a diamond will sparkle. Moissanite is able to disperse light quite well and may achieve the same level of brilliance as a diamond.

2. Hardness

The moissanite’s hardness rating on the Mohs Scale is 9.25. Diamonds have a rating of 10 (perfect score). Diamonds are the hardest known minerals but the moissanite also has a higher rating compared to other gemstones used in jewelry.

3. Color

Diamonds are graded based on color; the clearer it is, the higher its rating. On the other hand, moissanite is not colorless and are not graded based on color. Classic ones are similar to a GIA-certified K-color diamond and under certain lighting may project a green or yellow color.

4. Price

The moissanite only costs a fraction of the price of a diamond and they are usually priced the same across the board. But the price may differ depending on the type and size of the moissanite. On the other hand, price of diamonds vary based on clarity and cut.

Which One Should You Get?

A crucial thing you need to remember is that the moissanite cannot completely replicate the look of a diamond and it certainly does not compare in value. But at the end of the day, it is an excellent alternative for those who want to give their special someone a beautiful engagement ring but cannot afford a diamond ring just yet.

On the other hand, if you only want to give your soon to be better half the most exquisite ring you can afford as a sign of your undying love and devotion, then perhaps you should save up for a few months to be able to buy a beautiful princess cut or round cut diamond ring. The look on her face when you get down on one knee will definitely make it all worth it in the end.