Category: Engagement Ring

Hacking My Engagement Ring with Moissanite

I’ve been engaged for 4 months, showed my ring to dozens of people, and that nightmare scenario that has played out in my mind many times has never happened. Not even once.

My fiancé and I chose a moissanite stone for my engagement ring and it is among the best decisions we have ever made.

Why I chose a diamond alternative for my engagement ring?

Two years into dating I knew my fiancé was the one. Like many girls, I started dreaming about what type of engagement ring I wanted.

I played around on sites that allow you to custom design your engagement ring.

I liked jeweler’s Facebook pages in order to enter contests to win expensive engagement rings. (Facebook awkwardly started displaying that I liked those pages to my friends, who then messaged me about it. Thanks, Facebook!)

Given my success with travel rewards and my optimism about life hacking, I was convinced that there was a way to hack the engagement ring as well.

I.  What is moissanite?

Moissanite, or natural silicon carbide, was discovered over a century ago when Nobel prize-winning French chemist, Dr. Henri Moisson found tiny particles of the substance at the site of a massive meteorite strike in Arizona.

The stone was named moissanite in his honor.  Years later, scientists created the gemstone that we know as moissanite today.

II.  What does moissanite look like?

Although moissanite may look like a diamond, its higher rate of refraction and dispersion make it much sparklier than a diamond. It actually bends light more than twice as much.

The brilliance and fire make moissanite stones stand out compared to other gemstones.

III.  How does moissanite compare to a diamond?

First, Moissanite is much less expensive than a diamond.  A 1ct moissanite goes for $300 retail whereas a 1ct diamond could run anywhere from $4,000 to $25,000 depending on cut, color, and clarity.

Secondly, moissanite is more refractive than a diamond as mentioned above, which gives it more fire and sparkle.

Third, moissanite is not as hard as a diamond (about 9 to 10 on the mohr scale) but the difference is negligible. I’ve banged mine against hard surfaces many times and it’s fine.

Like diamonds, moissanites can range from colorless to some color and you pay more as you get closer to colorless – although the cost for a colorless moissanite is much less than the highest grade of diamond comparatively.

OVAL VS. EMERALD, WHICH SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

When picking engagement rings, consider the cut of the center stone. True, every cut is unique and reflects the wearer’s personality, but oval cut and emerald cut moissanite looks particularly beautiful on almost all hand shapes and sizes.

OVAL CUT MOISSANITE RING

Similar to a round diamond, an oval cut moissanite is round but slightly elongated. It is a beautiful fusion of two diamonds with a flanked center and is most commonly sought in three-stone rings. When cut to perfection, the stone’s brilliance shines right through.

MOLLYJEWELRYUS OVAL CUT MOISSANITE ROSE GOLD ENGAGEMENT RING

Its ideal curvature makes it timeless and enhances the ring’s overall appeal. Oval cut moissanite rings are ideal for short or small hands, giving the illusion of slender fingers.

YELLOW GOLD OVAL MOISSANITE ENGAGEMENT RING

EMERALD CUT MOISSANITE RING

Also known as a step-cut diamond, an emerald cut moissanite comes with fewer facets (25 to be exact) than a round cut moissanite. The emerald cut is usually in a square or rectangular shape and has tapered corners. Since an emerald cut has fewer facets, the moissanite has a limited surface to reflect light it.

14K ROSE GOLD EMERALD CUT MOISSANITE ENGAGEMENT RING

However, this does not make emerald cut engagement rings less desirable. It is most popular among those looking for something unique and enchanting. Moreover, they are one of the most popular heirlooms in moissanite engagement ring history.

YELLOW GOLD EMERALD MOISSANITE ENGAGEMENT RING TWISTED HALF ETERNITY DIAMOND BRIDAL GIFT

If your significant other is all about glamour and elegance, an emerald cut ring is a style for her! Thanks to its flat surface, lean facets, and extended sides, the stone has more potential to flaunt its clarity. Although it may be limited in terms of brilliance, it surely makes up for it in elegance!

Should You Choose an Oval or Emerald Cut Ring?

Deciding on an oval versus emerald cut engagement ring involves knowing the traits that determine their overall performance as the center stone on a ring.

Here are some guidelines to help you know whether to choose an oval or emerald cut.

You should choose an oval cut if:

  • You want a moissanite that has many qualities in common with round cuts but costs less per carat
  • You’re interested in an alternative to the most popular cuts but don’t want to sacrifice brilliance
  • Its overall shape is appealing to you, and you want a stone that effectively hides blemishes.

You should consider an emerald cut if:

  • You aren’t interested in moissanite with strong light performance
  • You want rectangular moissanite with large facets

By comparing oval and emerald cuts, and pairing them with multiple styles of settings, you can discover the perfect ring for you.

Have you decided which cut of engagement ring to choose by the end of the article? If you have decided and need to buy a ring, we can give you a great suggestion. MollyjewelryUS has a wide range of sizes for you to choose from. Our designers will also provide you with great service and solve all your problems along the way. You are more than welcome to shop with us!