Nobody can deny the appeal of a finely cut diamond ring glaring on your finger. However, if you don't want to spend a small fortune on a piece of jewelry yet want the luxury experience of owning a diamond piece; moissanite could be precisely what you are looking for right now. Among numerous other kinds of fake diamonds, moissanite is the best due to its durability, cost efficiency and clarity.
An Overview of Fake Diamonds
Fake or synthetic diamonds have the same chemical composition as mined diamonds. They are indistinguishable from natural diamonds to the naked eye. What differentiates fake diamonds from real ones is the timeline.
The formation of a mined diamond takes billions of years. Carbon atoms can be exposed to pressure and temperature in chambers designed to mimic the conditions beneath the earth's surface. They can produce several diamonds in a matter of weeks.
The result is a stone that looks and feels like a diamond. They are hard, colorless, and can be cut in the same way that diamonds are. It is almost impossible for an average person to tell the difference between these two kinds of gems. Even experienced geologists frequently struggle.
Moreover, when compared to natural gemstones, lab-created moissanite has a lower carbon footprint and environmental impact. Fine jewelry made from moissanite and recycled metals is a sustainable option.
Moissanites are graded solely on color, as opposed to diamonds, which are graded on the four C's (Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat). The cut and clarity grade of moissanite are similar across different qualities.
An Introduction to Moissanite
Moissanite may be the answer if you're looking for the best fake diamond ring. It is made of silicon carbide and is nearly as hard as most real diamonds, so much so that it is known as a diamond simulant. On the Mohs scale, moissanite has a hardness of 9.5, while diamond has a hardness of 10.
Moissanite is designed to give the appearance of diamonds while being structurally and visually distinct from natural diamonds. The two gems have very different durability, brilliance, and color. Diamonds and moissanite share one property: they are both excellent thermal conductors.
Moissanite is the best fake diamond out there because of being nearly colorless and resembles a real diamond, especially in small sizes. It has a non-diamond-like sparkle with more color than white light. Natural Moissanite is extremely rare, and most Moissanite on the market is lab-created.
Is Moissanite the Best Fake Diamond?
It is okay to get fake diamonds if you know what you're getting into and pay the right price. Let's take a look at other types of popular diamonds in comparison with moissanite.
Moissanite
When comparing moissanite to diamond, this substitute is tough and produces a lot of sparkles when exposed to light. It is also clear and long-lasting. We consider Moissanite a "synthetic" fake if it is a real mineral because of its scarcity. This stone is created in laboratories. On the other hand, Moissanite rings are likely the best non-diamond, simulated, or faux option for engagement rings.
Diamond Cubic Zirconia
This is one of the most common diamond substitutes, and you can find it in pieces ranging from box stores to Amazon. Cubic zirconia, or CZ, has a Mohs hardness rating of 8 to 8.5, but it wears off quickly. It becomes scratched and dull over time very easily.
Glass
It is inexpensive and easy to obtain. However, glass lacks the radiance and sparkle of diamonds.
The White Sapphire
White sapphire is a natural stone that, while not as hard as diamond, is one of the world's hardest minerals. It can be a good substitute for diamonds in engagement rings, especially given the lower price point.
On the other hand, white sapphire rings can appear cloudy, and the stone has a lower "refractive index" and "fire." As a result, it may lack the radiance of diamonds. White sapphire engagement rings must be cleaned regularly, or they will look like smudged glass.
Zircon
It is not cubic zirconia but rather a natural substance. White zircon can be cut and polished to fit into jewelry, but it wears quickly and is not as hard as a diamond.
White Spinel
Because white spinel is colorless, it is sometimes used as a diamond substitute. It has a hardness rating of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. A white spinel resembles diamonds very closely. Moreover, red versions of Spinels are ruby substitutes, while black and pink versions make for one-of-a-kind pieces when used in jewelry.
Advantages of Moissanite
Moissanite looks good in any setting and pairs well with other gemstone accents, including diamonds. It’s versatile and easy to play around with, so finding a piece you love shouldn’t be difficult. Moreover, according to its reasonable price, brilliance and color, moissanite proves to be the best fake diamond.
Price
The price difference between moissanite and diamond is the most significant advantage of moissanite over diamonds. A moissanite gem costs about one-tenth the price of equal size and quality mined diamond. Moreover, the value of moissanite increases as the carat weight increases.
Moissanite is the way to go if you want a large-carat white gemstone but lack the money for a large diamond. A colorless diamond with the highest clarity grade is entirely unattainable for many. Lower-quality, smaller diamonds are more expensive than higher-quality, larger moissanite stones. This is why buying moissanite instead of diamonds makes sense, as it provides more bang for the buck.
Brilliance
The most noticeable distinction between moissanite and diamonds is their brilliance. In general, moissanite may shine even brighter than diamonds. It has more fire and brilliance than any other gemstone, which means it sparkles more. Moissanite is cut differently than diamonds to enhance the sparkle because it is double-refractive.
Moissanite has more than twice the dispersion value of a diamond, meaning it has a more significant fire (or display of spectral colors) visible when you rotate the stone. Diamonds, however, reflect whiter light, creating a rainbow effect.
Color
Both moissanite and diamonds can be colorless or have some color. Moissanite has traditionally carried a yellowish or greenish tint to it. However, manufacturers have been perfecting the creation process over time, and you can now get high-quality moissanite that is colorless.
Disadvantages
As a lab-grown gemstone, moissanite has its fair share of demerits. But considering all options, its advantages surely outweigh the disadvantages mentioned below.
Value Retention
Moissanite loses all of its value over time. If you inherit or give a moissanite item to someone, the only thing you will receive is sentimentality. Although diamonds do not hold their overall value well, anything containing them will undoubtedly be more valuable in the long run than a laboratory-grown stone.
Warm Tint
Even after the whitening process, most moissanite stones will have a warm tone. The goal is to make them as close to colorless as possible, but this is only sometimes possible. When some people look into their gemstones, they claim to see green and yellow hues.
Enhancement is your best option for avoiding this disadvantage for stones weighing more than a carat. Still, it does not guarantee that you will receive jewelry that meets or exceeds your expectations.
Final Recommendation
Ultimately, it all boils down to how much money you can save purchasing jewelry with moissanite. Because it costs about 10% of what a typical diamond would cost, it is a viable option for couples on a tight budget.
Moreover, moissanite is the best fake diamond because these two have nearly identical visual characteristics. Both gemstones are transparent and among the hardest known to man. Both are stunning, will last a lifetime, and are excellent choices for everyday wear.
Finally, Moissanites are a viable and equally beautiful symbol of love for those who do not want to purchase a Diamond due to ethical, environmental, or price concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How to clean a moissanite ring?Your moissanite ring should be cleaned at least once a month. Prepare a bowl of hot water with a few drops of liquid dish soap or a non-toxic commercial jewelry cleaner, drop your ring in, and gently clean the gem with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Allow to air dry or blot with a paper towel.
2. How to spot the best fake diamond?
The best fake diamond looks like a real diamond when looked at closely with the naked eye and costs much less. The best fake diamond rings are almost as hard as natural diamonds and are also near-perfect, clear and colorless. Still, over time, durability and eternal brilliance are likely an issue.
3. Does moissanite lose its sparkle?
Moissanite will not lose its radiance over time. The clarity and color of the stone will not change over time. The only common elements that can reduce a ring's radiance until it is cleaned are dirt and grime. As with any gemstone, damaging the surface of moissanite can reduce sparkle.
