| There is Beauty to be found in a Moissanite | | | | The Value of Moissanite When Compared to the |
| Engagement Ring | | | | Competitors |
| In 1893 a man name Henri Moissan discovered a | | | | The moissanite engagement ring has quickly |
| naturally occurring mineral, silicone carbide, in a | | | | replaced its closest competitor, cubic zirconia |
| meteor. The mineral became known as Moissanite. | | | | engagement ring, for a number of reasons. While |
| Scientists decided to create a synthetic Moissanite | | | | Cubic zirconia had been the leading competitor for |
| and in 1995 jewelers realized the true beauty and | | | | the diamond for many years, the introduction of |
| value of the mineral as a gemstone. It was at this | | | | the moissanite gem has quickly moved it to third |
| time that the moissanite engagement ring became | | | | place. There are two types of cubic zirconia, |
| a strong competitor for the diamond. In fact, it is | | | | hand-cut and those cut by a machine. While the |
| such a beautiful competitor to the diamond than | | | | hand-cut stones are a nice substitute for |
| many jewelers have difficulty telling the | | | | diamonds, they lack the brilliance of both the |
| difference. | | | | moissanite and diamond. It is widely agreed that |
| The Moissanite Engagement Ring: To Buy or Not | | | | the machine cut cubic zirconia is a poor substitute |
| to Buy | | | | for diamonds as many are hazy and lack brilliance. |
| Finances often dictate the amount of money that | | | | The durability of the three gems cannot be |
| can be spent on an engagement ring. The largest | | | | argued; the diamond rates a 10, the moissanite a |
| advantage to the moissanite engagement ring is | | | | 9.25 and the cubic zirconia about a 9.0. These |
| the cost. While its cost is much less than the | | | | numbers that reflect each stones durability are |
| diamond, its durability is considerably higher. It is | | | | important when buying an engagement ring that |
| also said to be more brilliant than the other | | | | will be worn daily. When finances are at stake, |
| diamond competitor, the cubic zirconia (cz). In | | | | there is no argument that a moissanite |
| fact, the moissanite gemstone is said to refract | | | | engagement ring is the way to go. |
| light and give more brilliance than either the | | | | Keep in mind, that the moissanite is a mineral that |
| diamond or cubic zirconia. However, when buying | | | | has the appearance of a diamond, rather than a |
| a moissanite engagement ring or any other | | | | "fake diamond". Instead of thinking of it as a |
| setting style, it is important to thoroughly examine | | | | "fake diamond" appreciate the fact that you are |
| the stone in bright daylight, as some can appear | | | | buying a moissanite engagement ring and remove |
| to be slightly green or gray. It is also important to | | | | the "stigma" completely. Many jewelers now carry |
| fully understand the store's return policy in the | | | | this stone and you many consider "ring shopping" |
| event that you should reconsider your purchase. | | | | with your intended prior to purchase to determine |
| Moissanite engagement rings can still carry the | | | | if your bride-to-be would rather have a small |
| stigma of being a "fake" diamond, which gives | | | | diamond gemstone engagement ring or a larger |
| many the impression that the ring is cheap or a | | | | moissanite gemstone engagement ring. |
| "knock-off". | | | | |