The use of diamonds as engagement rings can be traced back to when Archduke Maximillian of Austria gave his fiancé one in the late 15th century. Over the years, few people have stopped and thought of how these wonderful stones used as engagement offerings have social and environmental consequences.
More and more people have started realizing the consequences of using diamonds and it wasn’t what they had imagined. The movie Blood Diamond played by Leonardo DiCaprio in 2006 was meant to show child soldiers being used in conflict zones. This is when most realized that wars were being fought and bloodshed because of diamonds. Read more about 10 Gold Chain Designs For Men.
The consequences go further than this. They have been shown to be bad for the environment.
There is a report by Ohio State University showing the environmental consequences of diamonds. Some of them include:
Soil erosion: Diamonds are deep inside. Most people think that they can be easily accessed through caves that miners can go inside and mine. There is a lot of heavy excavation that happens, and a large portion of the earth is ripped up. This can end up permanently destroying the surrounding soil. This can be bad for plants and animals depending on it.
Deforestation: Mining diamonds are bad for the environment because it can include the destruction of local forests. It is common to find entire rainforest reserves destroyed when mining diamonds. The number of plants and animals that die because of this can be very high.
Pollution: The process of mining diamonds consumes a lot of energy. There is a lot of pollution because of this, which is very bad for the environment.
More and more people are learning about the social and environmental costs of diamond mining, and this is why there has been an increased interest in alternatives. The good thing is there are good diamond substitutes out there. One of the popular alternatives is Moissanite.
Moissanite is a good option because it offsets the environmental destruction of diamond mining
You can have great-looking jewelry without using diamonds. Moissanite has gained attention recently. It shines and has the brilliance of a diamond, but it costs way less. You also don’t have to feel guilty because it is not bad for the environment like a diamond. You don’t have to worry if the jewelry you are wearing comes from conflict zones and human life was lost in the process.
It is important to know the difference between diamond and moissanite when you are looking for the right engagement ring. This article is going to cover how moissanite is compared to diamond, which includes differences in clarity, price, durability, hardness, color, and more. You will also learn that it is an ethical alternative to the popular gem and also eco-friendly.
Diamond vs Moissanite
The main difference between these two is the pricing. You are going to spend less on moissanite, but it looks exactly like a diamond. Moissanite has an icy appearance when it is cut right including flashes or rainbow.
Moissanite has become the most popular diamond alternative in the world. It has high brilliance and luster, and the hardness is almost the same as that of a diamond. Dr. Henri Moissan First was a Nobel-prize-winning scientist who discovered moissanite in 1893. He said that it looked like diamond dust under the microscope.
How is moissanite different from diamonds?
It is an affordable, ethical, and eco-friendly alternative. It has a different chemical compared to diamonds, and this is why it sparkles more brightly. This is a lab-created diamond simulant that looks like a diamond but it is cheaper. It is not bad for the environment like diamonds because they can be grown in the lab. This is going to be a good substitute for people who want something good without feeling guilty about contributing to child soldiers in conflict zones and deforestation.
The size is similar to a diamond, and it looks just as attractive. The main difference between a diamond and moissanite is durability. They tend to scratch more when compared to diamonds.
What is moissanite
The stones come from silicon carbide, which is mostly used in industrial tools and abrasives. They are durable because they are acid-resistant and heat-resistant. Moissanites are great for everyday wear because of this.
The 4 C’s of moissanite
Moissanite is created in the lab and is synthetic. It has become a great diamond alternative. It is formed when silicon carbide is exploded. The 4 C’s are Cut, Clarity, Carat Weight, and Color.
AGS or GIA doesn’t have a clarity guide, but it falls between SI1-SI2. SI1 under 10x magnification has inclusions visible, while inclusions on SI2 can be seen with the naked eye. If you still feel you aren’t sure about moissanite, consider going to an independent jeweler to get a second opinion.
Light performance is important when it comes to the cut of moissanite. They are D-flawless, which means that all the proportions and angles have perfect and masterful execution, which results in the stone sparkling.
The color can be graded from D-Z, with D being colorless and Z the one with a yellow or brown tint. The carat weight ranges from 1.0 to 3.5. This is a good alternative when you are on a budget because moissanite rings usually cost half the price of diamonds depending on the size.
Are diamonds and moissanite the same thing?
The answer to this is yes and no. A scientist back in the 1800s first discovered Moissanite by accident. Moissanite is a naturally occurring mineral. The scientist crushed some rocks and saw colorful crystals.
The moissanite in watches, camera lenses, welding rods, and other industrial purposes till the 1960s. The moissanite was not challenging to extract from the earth which is why it wasn’t available to the public.
Reasons for buying moissanite
The second hardest mineral in the world is moissanite, with the diamond being the first. Moissanite is more durable compared to other gemstones, which makes it less likely to get damaged or scratched. Moissanite has a lower refractive index compared to diamond, which makes it a great option for making jewelry. The jewelry looks unique and stunning. Moissanite is better for the planet.
Moissanite is a good alternative to diamond for people eco-friendly consumers
Moissanite is a great alternative to diamond. It is especially a great option for people interested in reducing harm to the environment and not feeling guilty any time they wear the jewelry because it doesn’t come from conflict zones.
You are going to find a good option when you choose such alternatives. You also don’t have to worry about the cost because the alternatives are cheaper. Moissanite is the perfect option if you want to get a gemstone that has a brilliant shine with a stunning luster without spending a lot like on a traditional diamond. The moissanite is an ethical alternative for those looking for engagement rings.