Moissanite Engagement Rings: An Exquisite and Affordable Alternative

Moissanite engagement rings are becoming more and more popular as the second option of center stone, behind diamond of course. It is a beautiful option for those looking for a spectacular engagement ring at the fraction of the cost of diamonds and other gems.

What is Moissanite? Moissanite is one of the rarest natural occurring minerals on earth. It was discovered by Nobel Prize-winning chemist Henri Moissan while he was exploring a massive crater in Arizona caused by a meteorite strike. He found that the mineral was made of silicon carbide. Because of its rarity, the moissanite you will see today is almost exclusively laboratory-made. Though it is created in a lab, moissanite has a unique internal beauty that makes a spectacular statement that is a great affordable alternative to diamonds.

How durable is moissanite? The Mohs Scale of Hardness measures material on the idea that the harder a material, the more difficult it is to scratch. Moissanite scores a 9.25 on the scale which makes it one of the hardest minerals on earth. To put it in perspective, diamond is the hardest known mineral on Earth and it scores a 10 on the Mohs scale, while sapphire sits below moissanite at a 9 on the scale. This makes moissanite engagement rings excellently suitable for everyday wear.

How brilliant is moissanite? Brilliance refers to a stones ability to reflect white light or, in other words, how much it will “sparkle”. This can be measured using a refraction index. Based on the numbers, moissanite actually exhibits more brilliance than a diamond. It has a refractive index of 2.65 while diamonds have an index of 2.42. People are most intrigued by how moissanite sparkles in the light. The stone in moissanite engagement rings bend light into alluring rainbow flashes, which emulate the image of a fire flickering that creates a grand statement of opulence.

Does moissanite have color? Though most moissanite is referred to ‘colorless’, it can give off a yellow, green, or grayish hue depending on the lighting. The larger the stone is, the more noticeable the hue. If a colorless look is preferred, color-enhanced moissanite (such as Forever Brilliant moissanite) is available that has a noticeably less amount of color hue.

How expensive is moissanite? Moissanite comes at a fraction of a cost of diamond. While moissanite does not replicate the look of a diamond exactly, its brilliance, unique beauty, and charm make moissanite engagement rings a perfectly viable and affordable alternative to the diamond.  For great moissanite jewelry and much more, see Adam Jewelers for the best quality and the right price!

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