There are several factors that jewelers consider when making jewelry. Over the years, diamond has been used as the default metal when it comes to making engagement rings. The reason why this metal has been used over time is because of its durable nature and stylish form. Besides, the diamond is associated with prestige.
However, not all couples prefer purchasing a diamond ring. It is a result of the high costs associated with metal and the way society perceives it. Most people would, therefore, prefer having something close to a diamond but not the diamond itself. One metal that is similar to a diamond is Moissanite. The metal is pretty, shiny, much more affordable when compared to diamonds, and found to be less guilt-inducing. Over the years, the demand for Moissanite rings over diamond rings has increased. This has led jewelers to produce more moissanite rings compared to diamond ones. Rings made from this precious metal have come with a lot of benefits.
The list of benefits below is used to compare diamond and moissanite and reveal the reason why the latter is preferred by most jewelers in massive production.
1. The Cost of the metal
The market value is the most significant advantage of moissanite metal. It is inexpensive comparing to diamond. The pricing for diamonds is made based on the 4 C’s, which is color, carat, clarity, and cut. On the other hand, moissanite is priced based on its size, or whether it is an improved one or not. A single carat of a diamond could cost over five thousand dollars ($5000), whereas the same quantity of moissanite could be just six hundred dollars ($600), a 90% less cost than that of a diamond. Jewelers find it practical to use Moissanite due to the affordability perk, and research has shown that most young couples are willing and able to spend their two months’ salary to purchase their engagement rings. Moissanite is a more rational, practical choice for investment too.
2. The shape of the gem.
Moissanite can be cut in any shape. The different cuts available for a moissanite ring are emerald, round, oval, cushion, or even pear shape.
3. Longevity and Durability
Any moissanite jewel lasts longer than a diamond one. Moissanites maintain their shine over time, and they do not become dull or gloomy with time. Jewelers prefer this stone since most buyers of jewelry love durability. They can spend on a jewel that has a longer life span of its strength. Moissanites do not fade quickly and can be passed to the upcoming generations.
Moissanite jewels can stand up to scratching and abrasion. It means that they are just as durable as diamond jewels. Both of these jewels have a similar durability period. They’re second only to a diamond on the Mohs scale, ranking 9.25 which makes them harder than any other gemstone out there. They are more heat resistant than diamond jewels.
Moissanite jewels also resist breaking or chipping. All of this adds up to making moissanite perfect for making jewelry and wearing every day, regardless of the work intensity.
4. Brilliance
Moissanite is incredibly brilliant. They have a higher refractive index (2.65), leading to a wonderful rainbow effect. With a moissanite jewel, there is a fantastic light return, even more than with a diamond. Moissanite seems to shine and shimmer no matter what light they are. While moissanites are labeled as “colorless,” the gems can still project a yellow or grayish hue in certain lights. Here again, the larger the moissanite is, the more noticeable the color is.
5. Ethical issues and sustainability
Moissanite jewels are guilt-free. In recent years, there have been news headlines in major tabloids regarding the blood diamonds. It is a human rights issue. Although diamond jewels are gorgeous, there is an ugly side to the way they are acquired. Mostly, diamonds are referred to as conflict diamonds since they are found in Africa war zones. The funds are said to be used for civil wars. Despite this sad news, these diamonds are still in the market place.
For diamond during their extraction, there is an enormous environmental degradation. Statistically, for a single carat of diamond mined, one ton of soil is displaced naturally. Extraction often leads to soil erosion, deforestation, and wastelands. Diamond mines are filthy to look at, empty, worthless, sad-looking places. Also, there is also the factor of adverse conditions of work, abuse of human rights, and the risk that your diamond may be a conflict or blood diamond.
Moissanites are not mined, they are lab-created; there is little to no environmental degradation issues relating to the production of moissanite jewels. When being made, moissanite use minimum resources, and the working conditions are just perfect. Moissanite is undoubtedly ethically sourced, lab-created in fair and secure conditions by qualified stone scientists with the best equipment. Moissanites are eco-friendly and sustainable as they can be traced back to their origin.
Due to the bad reputation associated with diamonds, jewelers prefer moissanite to diamonds when making jewels available to buyers.
6. Investment Value
Although diamonds are considered to be a good investment, moissanite is on the list to a certain extent. Diamonds usually depreciate over time, and so is the market value. Consider a diamond ring bought at $6000 and a moissanite ring bought at $700, the value for the diamond ring will go down by more than a half in a few years, due to the deterioration of the ring while that of a moissanite ring will remain the same. When considering the two jewels as an investment option, the buyer will consider the time value of each jewel. As an investment option, jewelers will rather consider the moissanite jewels due to the time factor of depreciation. Moissanite jewels’ value remains the same for a very long time hence are good to invest in.
Conclusion
As much as moissanite is considered inferior or ‘fake,’ it is still the perfect substitution for the diamond in the jewelry industry. This is to prevent environmental degradation and to help reduce the civil wars in Africa’s war zones in an attempt to attain the goal of world peace.
Diamonds and Moissanite are not metals, they are stones.