Moissanite Engagement Rings
Moissanite is not an imitation diamond. It is its own stone, silicon carbide, and it throws noticeably more coloured light than a diamond does. Under a restaurant light a moissanite flashes rainbow where a diamond flashes white. Some people want exactly that and some people do not, which is the only real question worth asking before you choose one.
It sits at 9.25 on the hardness scale against a diamond's 10, so it takes daily wear without trouble. It also costs a fraction of a lab diamond, which is why most of the oversized centre stones you see below are moissanite. We cut it in colourless DEF and near colourless GHI, and in champagne, grey, green and deep blue for anyone who does not want a white stone at all.
Choosing a moissanite, and when it beats a diamond
The honest case for moissanite is size and the look of the light. It costs a fraction of a lab diamond, so a three carat centre stone is an ordinary decision rather than an extraordinary one, and it throws more coloured fire than any diamond will. If you want a large stone that announces itself, nothing else comes close for the money.
The honest case against is that the fire is visible. In daylight a moissanite looks like a bright white stone. Under spotlights, in a restaurant or on a dance floor, it flashes rainbow in a way a diamond does not. Plenty of people choose it for exactly that. Others see it once and know immediately that they wanted the colder white of a diamond. If you are unsure, order the same setting in both and keep the one you prefer, because the difference is not something a photograph will settle.
On colour, our DEF grade is colourless and GHI is near colourless, and in yellow gold the GHI is impossible to pick out. Beyond white we cut champagne, grey, green, deep blue and black, and those are worth looking at if you want something nobody else at the table is wearing. On size, remember that moissanite is slightly less dense than diamond, so a stone sold by millimetre width will carry a lower carat number than the diamond it matches. Buy by millimetre, not by carat, and the ring will look the size you expected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a moissanite pass a diamond tester?
On an old thermal tester, often yes, because the heat conductivity is similar. On any modern dual tester it reads as moissanite, and it is meant to. It is a different stone and we never sell it as a diamond.
Will it cloud or go dull over time?
No. It does not change colour and it does not cloud. It gets a film of skin oil and soap like any ring does, and warm water with a soft brush brings it straight back.
Is it hard enough for everyday wear?
Yes. 9.25 on the Mohs scale against a diamond's 10, and harder than sapphire. The practical risk to any ring is a knock to the setting rather than a scratch to the stone, which is why we recommend bezel or flush settings if you work with your hands.
Which colour grade should I choose?
DEF if you want it to read as a white diamond. GHI if the setting is yellow or rose gold, because the metal warms the stone and you will not see the difference while paying less for it. Champagne, grey, green or blue if you do not want a white stone at all.
How big can I go?
Further than you think. The price difference against a lab diamond is large enough that a three or four carat centre stone is a normal order here. Buy by millimetre width rather than carat weight, because moissanite is slightly lighter than diamond for the same size.
How long does it take?
Cutting takes about a week for standard shapes, four to five weeks for our custom old mine and old European cuts. Then two to three weeks to build the ring, and 17 to 19 days on free standard shipping or 7 to 10 days on paid express.