Considering a diamond alternative? I wanted to share my thoughts and findings on moissanite, as I spent years researching and still came up relatively short for the Edmonton area.
1. What is moissanite?
Moissanite is naturally occurring silicon carbide and its various crystalline polymorphs. It has the chemical formula SiC and is a rare mineral, discovered by the French Nobel prize winning chemist Henri Moissan in 1893 in a meteorite crater.
2. Why moissanite?
Ethical alternative (lab created).
Costs way less than diamonds.
Quality as good as diamonds compared to other gemstones.
Has more fire than diamonds.
It's based of a gemstone found from space soooo that's cool.
3. Where to buy online?
Charlesandcolvard.com
Moissaniteco.com
Brilliant Earth.
Etsy.
Lots of others as well.
4. Where to buy in person in Edmonton?
If you or your partner is like mine, you may not trust buying online. My future hubs found 2 places in Edmonton that sold moissanite and we went for a visit before he purchased.
Design Jewellers in Edmonton (where my fiance got mine)
Amour Jewellers in Edmonton (both in WEM)
5. Design Jewellers review: Design carries loose Charles and Colvard gemstones that they can put into a setting you choose or design and hand create one for you. My fiance had them build my absolute dream ring, a rose gold oval moissanite ring. It has a 7 x 5 mm (just under a carat equivalent) center moissanite and 26 small halo/side stones. The total cost was less than $2500. This ring as a diamond would have easily been between $8000-$10000.
6. Do people know?
No, they really can't tell. However, I WANT people to know it is a moissanite. I LOVE moissanite. If it were an amethyst or a ruby I would want people to know... and they would, because of the colour. So just because moissanite is a clear gemstone does not mean we should try to hide the fact that it is not a diamond!
People compliment me all the time on how sparkly it is. It's the first thing they notice. If they ask, I will tell them it's a moissanite and that is why it has more fire than a diamond, hence the sparkle. It sparkles in the dark, literally. It will catch any light available. If they don't ask, I don't worry about it. Just like I wouldn't go out of my way to tell people my ring is a diamond if it were. It just simply doesn't matter.
7. My fiance was afraid people would think he is "cheap"
When bringing up this alternative to your partner you may hear the same thing. First off, it doesn't matter what people think. Whether your diamond/alternative is big or small, whether it's expensive or cheap, when it's secondhand or new, whether it's clear or coloured, as long as it is what you both love and cherish, THAT is what matters!
I am very cost conscious and I also had a hard time with diamonds based on the ethics. Shortly after we starting talking about getting engaged I started researching alternatives. As soon as I found moissanite I knew that it would be the best option for us.
I certainly do not think that a $2500 or even less is "cheap" and I don't think that the value of the MEANING of the ring should change based on how "cheap" or expensive it is. The social norms around engagement rings is really quite silly.
So to get back on topic... Who CARES if people think it is "cheap"? Because what is cheap to them may not be to you.
8. Would you buy it again?
Yes, absolutely! I actually suggest it to anyone I know. It is the prettiest ring I've ever seen (I know, I'm biased) but honestly I have never seen a ring with more sparkle. It was a great price, we didn't go into debt over it, we didn't have to sacrifice the wedding budget for it.
If you're still not sure, comment below! I'm happy to answer questions.
Geoff + Marissa - The Proposal
