Gemstones are having a moment right now, especially when it comes to jewelry. Many people are opting for these alternative stones for their rings, earrings, and necklaces. One stone that’s growing in popularity is the moissanite.
This gem is loved for its similarity to diamonds. Though they share similar looks, moissanite has a lot of differences from the classic diamond. If you’re wondering how to buy moissanite, here are a few rules to keep in mind.
The Modern Rules of How to Buy Moissanite – Step by Step Guide
Moissanite Isn’t A Diamond
One of the most important aspects to know about moissanite is that it is not a type of diamond but rather its own gemstone. Because of this, moissanite has a different chemical makeup than diamonds, including hardness and sparkle.
Moissanite is also a human-made gemstone, rather than growing in the Earth. This allows for more flexibility in the shape and cut of your moissanite jewelry. Since it’s human-made, this gem requires no mining, which makes it a sustainable option.
This stone is very durable with a hardness level of 9.25, just under diamond’s 10 points. While these stones look similar at first glance, they actually have some differences visible to the naked eye.
Moissanite has a unique fire and stunning brilliance, much more than its diamond alternative. This stone shows off bright flashes of color under direct light, giving much more sparkle and shine.
Know the Four C’s
Like diamonds, moissanite’s features fall under the four C’s categories: color, clarity, cut, and carat size. Knowing these categories will help you know what kind of stone to look for.
Color refers to how white the stone is. There are two varieties available for moissanite color: near-colorless and colorless. The same color scale to grade a diamond is used for moissanite, where D-F would be a colorless gem and G-J would be near-colorless.
Clarity refers to the number of inclusions—or naturally occurring flaws. These don’t affect the sparkle, and moissanite is typically graded as very good and good.
Cut determines how sparkly the stone is, referring to the proportions and symmetry of the moissanite. One feature of moissanite is that it is always expertly faceted by hand, giving it the best cut for brilliance.
Carat determines how large the gem is. Unlike diamonds that are sold by carat weight, moissanite is sold by size. Moissanite features stones that are 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm, 7.5mm, and 8mm, with 6.5mm being identical to a 1-carat diamond.
Set a Budget
Like any jewelry shopping, you’ll want to set a budget. If you have already looked at moissanite jewelry, you may wonder — why is moissanite expensive if it’s an alternative to diamonds?
One reason is because of the quality differences. Classic moissanite is a yellow-green color and costs much less money than colorless and near-colorless options. Another quality difference is the cut, which can make the gem feel low-end in quality.
In most cases, you won’t have to sacrifice quality for price. Jewelers like Charles and Colvard have a stunning selection of moissanite jewelry and are the creators of the colorless gem, the Forever One.
In general, moissanite is a lower cost option if you’re looking for a gemstone alternative to diamonds.
Know How to Buy Moissanite
Gemstone jewelry has become increasingly popular over the last few years. And one of the most popular stones is the moissanite, which has risen as an alternative to diamonds in rings, earrings, necklaces.
Moissanite may be similar to diamonds, but they are completely different stones. That’s why it’s so essential to educate yourself, so you know how to buy moissanite. These tips will help you select the best stone to get the jewelry piece of your dreams.
Love saving money where you can? Check out more articles for buying guides and money-saving options.
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