Today, there’s a multitude of options when it comes to engagement rings. And while we’re all familiar with the classic diamond ring, there’s one (not so little) stone out there that serves a great alternative and deserves some serious attention. But, if you’re still wondering what’s the difference between diamonds and moissanite, then look no further than the guide below. 

When we think of a classic engagement ring we tend to think of one with diamonds. Although, in today’s economy being budget-savvy is a big trend when it comes to jewelry. No doubt, we all want something that’s kind to our wallets, but also something special and eye-catching, that will stand the test of time in terms of durability. In a few words, a diamond is a precious stone, clear, made of pure carbon, which is the hardest substance on Earth. While, moissanite is a natural mineral, a silicon carbide. It was discovered by Henri Moissan, a French chemist, in 1893.

Moissanite – the space rock  

Finance & Style

Moissanite gems are becoming a big trend among couples who may not have the money to invest in a standard engagement ring. Because, while moissanite and diamonds may look similar, they certainly don’t resemble each other’s prices. Depending on the cut and clarity moissanite can be up to 90% less expensive per carat than a diamond of the same size. In addition to them being a fraction of the cost, there’s also the added bonus of having the freedom to choose larger stones along with personalized designs. Thus, eliminating the worry that your wallet won’t match up to the final product. 

Durability or “Toughness”

Although they’re all beautiful, not all gemstones are created equally. Certain gemstones like emeralds and sapphires are not ideal for daily wear (due to the fact that they tend to be brittle and most have tiny natural cracks that make them vulnerable to chipping and shattering). The Mohs scale of mineral hardness is a qualitative scale characterizing scratch resistance of various minerals – the higher the number is, the durable the material is. When it comes to toughness the only thing to come between diamonds and moissanite is boron. As Moissanite ranks 9.25 on the Mohs scale coming in 2nd only to diamonds, which rank as 10. This is great news because it means not only is Moissanite cost-effective but you can wear it or (show it off) on a daily basis.

Appearance

When comparing quartz, diamonds, and Moissanites, side by side, a lot of couples go for the Moissanite rings. Moissanites are actually more eye-catching and clearer. They have incredible brilliance, unlike the quartz, especially with the round shapes. Another advantage is that these gems have more dispersion. The stone breaks down light into spectral colors, so when you look at it against a light source, a rainbow appears. And finally, it goes without saying that the bigger the stone the more noticeable the dispersion. And thanks to the cost it means you can get a bigger stone at an even better price.

In conclusion, Moissanites are a fabulous alternative to diamonds. Not only are they cost-effective, but also durable and aesthetically-pleasing thanks to their dispersion levels that create even more sparkle! Last but certainly not least finally they are also extremely eco-friendly! Bottom line- moissanite gems are a great investment, considering both the budget and the lasting quality. 

Check out some of our Moissanite rings and let us know what you think!

Are you planning on giving your partner an engagement ring? Are you a bride who also wants to wear her engagement ring all year around? You both don’t know how to take care of your engagement ring during the winter? Look no further than the easy guide below. The winter season is no friend to stones or even delicate hands, but it’s also not a foe. If you want to invest in a ring and you want it worn until the end of time, you can do so. Follow along some of the tips and tricks below.

If “I love my ring and I’m gonna wear it all life looong!” is your soundtrack, you might ask yourself the following questions: Can I look at it all day? Yes, you CAN! Can I sleep with it? Yes, you CAN! Can I shower with it? Yes, you CAN.

Keep your engagement ring clean
The first thing you should do during winter is clean it regularly. Because your skin dries, you apply a lot of lotions and it also sheds faster. This makes diamonds lose their sparkle. Whatever you choose, never do it above the drain, better put it on top of a towel just to make sure if you drop it it’s safe.
Sink it in warm water, add a bit of soap, let it there overnight and in the morning clean it delicately with an old toothbrush. Another way to clean it is to actually use toothpaste.

Always place it in safe environments

If you do have to take it off, make sure you carry with you a special pouch, box or dish to rest it on. If you’re traveling, you can also put it on a golden string and tie it around your neck. The best way you can take care of your ring during winter is to place it safely.

The diamond isn’t THAT resistant
If you’re prone to getting your ring stuck into sweaters, scarves or fluffy gloves, take a trip down to your jeweler to see if they can do something or at least make sure everything is still in place. This also applies if you hit it during furniture movements or even if your finger got stuck somewhere or hit a hard surface.
If you’re taking it to a specialist it’s also worth it if you could get a good professional clean. You’re supposed to do it at least once a year, but we know, we’re all very busy.

Happy Winter!

Planning on popping the question? Or perhaps you have already been asked and you want to make your ring that extra special? Getting your ring customized is not only a brilliant way of expressing your love in a unique way, but an equally amazing way of injecting a bit of your own personality into one of the most important pieces of jewelry you will ever wear. You’ll be wearing it every day, so you have to make it special, right?

Before getting started, there are two things you should do, the first one is prepare yourself mentally for the time any alterations may take. Some of them can take months – so this isn’t drop in on the Saturday, pick up on the Monday kind of scenario. The second one is to find your inspiration – Pinterest will be your ally for this mission, it’s the perfect way of discovering what you like, you love and obviously what you like less as well. Then, you just need to find a jewelry designer whose aesthetic is similar to yours – if you have a penchant for antique jewelry, then someone who shares this passion might be your best option.

How can you customize your engagement ring? Look no further, we shall tell you all the tips and tricks you need!

Gemstones

 You can select a gemstone to refresh your ring and keep it current, or make sure it suits your everyday style. The jeweler will help you find something that fits your needs, style and of course, budget. Also, like with clothes, you need to see what kind of shape works with you and you feel confident in. Gemstones have so many meanings, and it’s now very popular to choose something that reflects the month of the first date, first kiss or their engagement, you could also chose each other’s respective birth months – it’s up to you!

Choosing the Cut

After selecting the gemstone, you need to decide on the cut, or the lack of it – the most popular being the more traditional round cut, the princess cut for very feminine future brides, or the emerald cut for a dainty fit. You could also leave it “raw” or uncut, which is rapidly becoming a favorite amongst future brides too – this means the setting is created to fit the stone and not vice versa.

Engravings

Another way of customizing your engagement ring is by getting something engraved into it – you could choose the date you first met, a symbol that has significance for you both. You could get it engraved in the inside or on the outside to share that special moment with everyone. Another popular choice is getting each other’s initials engraved on the inside.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Leaving a Room

The most important part is to keep it subtle and not go overboard – who knows? Maybe you’ll have another joyous occasion to feature on your ring, perhaps vow renewals or the birth of your children? Like with anything, the simpler the better – it’s timeless, classy but still has significance for the both of you. You will have plenty of time to add things later on, so don’t go crazy with the customizations!