Diamonds are the hardest mineral on the planet, with a Moh's hardness rating of 10. (If you're unfamiliar with the scale, check out my blog entry on the Moh's scale and stone durability.) Hardness is a key consideration for an everyday ring that will be worn for many years.
Diamonds are classified according to their quality, which includes clarity and colour grading. This translates into diamonds with high-end clarity and colourless to near-colorless colour. The disadvantage is that mined diamonds are expensive, especially high-quality ones. They are also mined from the earth, which certain customers may prefer. Despite significant progress toward ethical diamond mining, the sector remains beset with numerous difficulties.
Diamonds also have a lot of fire and brilliance, which gives them the glitter we all know and adore. Because of their incredible capacity to reflect light back to our eyes, they will glitter even when unclean. In an ideal world, your rings would always be clean, and you would remember to remove them every time you washed your hands. However, the reality is that soap scum, water residue, lotions, and so on.
These diamonds are created in laboratories that mimic the natural environment that causes diamonds to develop. Diamonds created in a laboratory have the same molecular composition and optical qualities as mined diamonds. That means you'll get the same radiance and durability as a mined diamond, but without the environmental or social consequences.
Even highly skilled gemologists are unable to distinguish between the two! They are available in a variety of colour and clarity grades, allowing you to select based on your preferences. Lab-grown diamonds are less expensive than mined diamonds, giving you the exact same look at a lower price point. Lab-grown diamonds are still a relatively expensive option, costing more than moissanite.
Moissanite is a lab-grown gem with a different chemical structure than diamond. It has a similar appearance and behaviour to diamond, although it is slightly different. (If you're not sure what moissanite is, check out Charles & Colvard's website first; they're the creators of the Forever OneTM and the inventors of moissanite.) Moissanites come in colourless and near-colorless varieties with eye-clean clarity, making them very close in clarity and colour to the high-quality diamonds I utilise. Moissanites have the same shine as diamonds, even in a dark room or when your ring hasn't been properly cleaned. Their tensile strength is second only to diamond, and they are one of the hardest materials on the planet.
The main disadvantage of white sapphire is that it must be cleaned on a regular basis. White sapphires do not have the same optical qualities as diamonds or moissanite. They have a lower refractive index and are less flammable (less sparkle). That implies that once the stone becomes dirty (from soap scum beneath it, lotions, or even simple water spots), its facets will no longer reflect as well as a dirty diamond or moissanite. The higher the shine of a diamond or moissanite, the more light it can reflect back up to the eye, even if there is dirt beneath it or water spots. Sapphire, on the other hand, appears more transparent and looks best against a clear background.
Moissan initially thought he had discovered diamonds since the gemstone was colourless, high in clarity, and had a dazzling shining appearance. He had no idea that his discovery was considerably more unusual: instead of a regular diamond, this one was straight from the stars.
Moissanite has become an increasingly popular gemstone for engagement rings since its discovery, particularly as a diamond alternative. Natural moissanite, on the other hand, is incredibly rare because it comes from the stars. As a result, practically all moissanite marketed for jewellery is lab-grown. Silver moissanite rings are both beautiful and environmentally friendly, with a low carbon footprint.
Diamonds are famous for their 'brilliance,' or the way they reflect light. When compared side by side, moissanite is even more 'bright.' This implies that when illuminated, moissanite will project patterns that are larger, brighter, and more fiery than any diamond engagement ring. So, if you want to achieve the Tiffany look, silver moissanite rings are a cost-effective solution.
Diamonds are truly eternal in terms of durability. Diamonds are the hardest mineral discovered on Earth, rated a '10' on the Moh's Scale of Hardness, making them extremely durable. Moissanite is not as hard as diamond, yet it is just as durable. In fact, moissanite is only second to diamond in terms of Moh's hardness (rating at 9.25).
Moissanite, on the other hand, is a laboratory-created gemstone. It is constructed of carbon silicate, which makes it a great oil and dirt repellant. While it is naturally occuring, it is limited, thus handcrafted diamonds are considerably more environmentally beneficial. In terms of durability, it is comparable to diamonds, making it an ideal and far less expensive choice for jewellery. The same hardness of both diamonds is a significant feature.
Moissanite is the most environmentally friendly gemstone. It is man-made, which means no mining is involved. As a result, it has a lower carbon footprint because it is not excavated with machinery, and its manufacture has no impact on ecosystems, unlike actual diamonds. Moissanite diamonds will also never tarnish or crack, so you won't have to worry about them. When you buy moissanite, you do not lose quality or durability, so the transition from diamonds to moissanite is as simple as it appears! Furthermore, because moissanite is less expensive, you can choose a larger carat size for your jewellery than you would with genuine diamonds.
Moissanite is generated as a single crystal of carbon silicate; creating a moissanite diamond takes approximately 2-3 months to master the mix of components involved in the gemstone. Making certain that it can refract light in the wonderful blazing way that it does. It is generated under extreme heat and pressure, and because of this thermal energy, no binders are required to grow the gemstones, further enhancing their sustainability. This not only makes diamond-like jewellery affordable, but also incredibly accessible.
The long-term ramifications include that diamonds are only found naturally, thus it requires a lot of mining to find and create them. This is a very destructive process that rips ecosystems apart and threatens biodiversity. The mining process emits a lot of CO2 since the large gear requires a lot of energy and fossil fuels to run. Diamonds are frequently associated with bad working conditions; workers are mistreated and paid very little. The exploitation of employees in this business weakens the case for diamonds.
Natural moissanite is an extremely rare silicon carbide crystal. It was discovered at a meteorite site in Arizona by chemist Henri Moissan. Almost all natural moissanite is found in meteorites. Although it resembles diamonds, its structure is distinct; diamonds are made from carbon rather than silicon carbide. Unfortunately, while moissanite has been discovered in other places, it has only been in trace proportions. Moissanite has several properties similar to diamonds, including strength, hardness, glitter, and fire, yet its scarcity prevents it from being used for anything.
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