Diamond Alternatives: The ‘Colorless’ Options
While some couples might opt for colored gemstones, others lean towards a white stone. White stones, particularly natural colorless diamonds, have long been the traditional choice. However, modern times bring more variety. The main categories here include mined diamonds, lab-created diamonds, moissanite, and cubic zirconia. Each offers unique characteristics, availability, and pricing.
Moissanite
Moissanite, comprising a crystalline material called silicon carbide, contains carbon, similar to diamonds, albeit not pure carbon. Discovered by Dr. Henri Moissan in the 1890s in Diablo Canyon, Arizona, moissanite in nature is rare, found only in meteorites. Since the 1990s, the jewelry industry has learned to create high-quality crystals suited for moissanite rings. With a hardness of 9.25, moissanite approaches the durability of diamonds, but at a fraction of the cost!
Moissanite: A Diamond or Not?
Moissanite, by definition, can never be called a “real” diamond. Natural and lab-created diamonds consist purely of carbon, whereas moissanite is silicon carbide. However, moissanite is a genuine mineral and can be equally captivating.
Cubic Zirconia
Cubic zirconia has graced the market longer than moissanite, appearing in jewelry since the 1970s. Also identified as a rare natural gemstone in the 1890s, it is chemically known as zirconium dioxide and has a hardness of 8.5.
Cubic Zirconia: Is It a Real Diamond?
Though cubic zirconia earrings have been widely popular, cubic zirconia engagement rings are less so. Despite not typically being mined from the earth, cubic zirconia is still classified as a mineral and regarded as a “real” substance. Nevertheless, despite its beauty, cubic zirconia lacks the properties and chemical composition of a true diamond. From a financial perspective, cubic zirconia holds minimal value, often making precious metal settings more valuable than the stone itself. This factor makes it an excellent budget-friendly choice for engagement or wedding rings.
Lab Created Diamonds
Being the latest entrant among diamond substitutes, lab-created diamonds are gaining awareness. Unique among alternatives, lab-created diamonds are real diamonds. They possess almost all the qualities of mined diamonds, barring their origin. Composed of pure carbon, they have a hardness of 10.
With identical chemical, physical, and optical properties, lab-created diamonds look the same as mined diamonds. Unlike the other alternatives, lab-created diamonds tend to be colorless unless adjusted in the lab. Impurities that alter the color of mined diamonds are absent in lab-created ones. Moreover, flawed lab-created diamonds are rarely used in jewelry.
Ultimately, lab-created diamonds are genuine diamonds but with a different origin. They are graded similarly to natural diamonds, with the gem report specifying them as lab-created. The best part is that lab-created diamonds are significantly cheaper, saving you about 60% (as noted on our website).
Comparative Analysis of Colorless Gemstones
Deciding between various gemstone rings requires understanding their differences. Here are some insightful comparisons.
Moissanite vs. Cubic Zirconia
As highlighted, moissanite is harder than cubic zirconia, with hardness scores of 9.25 and 8.5, respectively. For context, sapphire and ruby rank at 9 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, situating moissanite between them. Practically, this means moissanite is more scratch-resistant than cubic zirconia, sapphire, and ruby, making moissanite engagement rings a preferable choice over cubic zirconia ones. However, cubic zirconia remains significantly cheaper.
Moissanite vs. Lab Diamond
To choose between a lab diamond engagement ring and one crafted from moissanite, here are some factors to consider:
- There is a slight difference in hardness: 9.5 for moissanite and 10 for lab diamonds on the Mohs Scale. Consequently, lab-created diamond rings might last longer, though the difference is minimal compared to other alternatives.
- Moissanite may exhibit subtle visual differences in certain lighting types, though most people may not notice.
- The key distinction lies in the authenticity: a lab diamond is a “real” diamond, while moissanite isn’t.
- Even so, moissanite is still more affordable than lab diamonds, making lab diamond rings the priciest between moissanite and cubic zirconia.
Purchasing Tips for Colorless Gemstones
Still unsure about what to pick? Our straightforward advice is: select something you like that fits within your budget. Then, consider which option meets your requirements best. Do you need something durable but affordable? Go for moissanite. Does your partner prefer a “real” diamond, and you seek value? Consider a lab-grown diamond. Looking for something truly inexpensive? Cubic zirconia may be the answer.
Alternatively, you might explore colored gemstone rings. At Artful Bracelets, we offer eight conflict-free choices besides colorless diamonds: black diamonds, rubies, blue sapphires, London blue topaz, aquamarine, peridot, and amethyst. Our metal selections include rose, white, and yellow gold in 14 or 18 kt, alongside platinum. Contact us, and we’ll assist you in finding something that suits her style and fits your budget.
