Biggest concern shoppers have while shopping whether for an engagement ring, pair of studs necklace etc. is where they can get the most value for their purchase. "Why spend more money than you need to right if it looks the same?" is a common impression people have. On this blog I will try to share all of my knowledge and help breakdown all the pros and cons of each stone.
Cubic Zirconia
Cubic zirconia, also known as "CZ" is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide. It is a synthetic (man made) mineral that is designed to mimic the appearance of a diamond. Cubic zirconia has a much lower refractive index than a diamond, so it captures light differently and shines less. Cubic zirconia scores 8.5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, it possesses
less durability in comparison to a diamond. It has average lifespan of 2 years with frequent use. It is more prone to chip, scratch & eventually cloud up. It is known as the cheaper alternative to a moissanite or diamond. Because CZs are man made, it is inherently flawless, they’re usually considered “too perfect” or fake-looking. The increased dispersion causes the CZ stone to have a “rainbow effect”—in other words, it reflects too much colored light. The excess dispersion of light makes it easy to spot as a cubic zirconia. Cubic zirconia is a heat conductor. Heat will pass through a diamond in a different way than it would through a cubic zirconia. A diamond tester will detect the rate at which heat moves through the stone and tell whether it is a real diamond or not. As diamond is an exceptional thermal conductor, the first diamond testers used a heated probe to detect heat dissipation. These were very effective at distinguishing natural diamond from cubic zirconia.
Moissanite
Moissanite is a diamond simulant made of silicon carbide. Although moissanite looks very similar to a diamond, it has a higher refractive index (this refers to the angle of refraction) distinctly different effect than a diamond. Moissanites tend to have a ‘rainbow effect’, which is especially noticeable under natural light and in larger stones. While some people love the colorful flashes of moissanite, others feel that it makes the stone look ‘fake’. Moissanite scores 9.25 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. It is the second most durable gemstone next to a diamond, which is a 10. The biggest appearance trait of a moissanite is that it has a faint yellow tinge. A classic color of a moissanite is a similar to GIA graded K color diamond. Unlike a CZ, moissanite is extremely resistant to scratching, abrasion and will never become cloudy. Moissanite weighs approximately 15% less than diamonds. Instead of using Carat weight, Moissanites are priced on their size in millimeters. It is a viable cheaper alternative to a diamond for buyers that are on a tighter budget.
Natural Diamond
Natural diamond is a mineral that is made of carbon and has a crystal structure. In nature, diamonds are formed deep inside the earth, under high pressure & temperature. It takes a diamond 1 to 3 billion years to form beneath the earth. Each carbon atom in a diamond is surrounded by four other carbon atoms and connected to them by strong covalent bonds - the strongest type of chemical bond. A diamond is the hardest mineral and receives a perfect 10 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. Diamonds are incredibly durable and require minimal maintenance to keep them sparkling. It is perfect for everyday wear and engagement rings. Often compared to a snowflake, every diamond has a natural pattern telling a different story, each diamond is unique and no two are alike. A diamond’s price and value is dependent on its 4 C’s (Cut, Carat, Color, Clarity). These elements work together to form the beauty and brilliance of the stone. A colorless diamond contains no traces of secondary color. For an expert, it is easy to distinguish a diamond from other stones with its appearance. A diamond is the pinnacle of all stones.
In conclusion, we would recommend a diamond over any other alternative option if we had to choose one. Each stone described above has an individual trait that may be more attractive to some than others. Simplest way summarize everything:
*Cubic zirconia = Temporary
*Moissanite = Cheaper Alternative
*Diamond = The Real Deal
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Diamonds are boring. Even if moissanites were more expensive I would still say they are better, I don't see why diamonds are the "real deal", there's so many rocks that are alternatives to diamonds. No one cares aboute the tiny extra hardness of diamonds + moissnaites are objectively more beautiful since they are more colorful and shinny. Without mentioning the fact that diamonds aren't even that rare anymore and the rate at which they are extracted is manipulated and slowed down on purpose for the sake of it's value not going to hell. On top of that, natural moissanites are wayyyyyy rarer than natural dimaonds, though of course, most if not all moissanites in the market are artificial since natural moissanites are…