Moissanite Engagement Rings.....Yay or Nay? by Julie Shields

Moissanite Engagement Rings gained popularity in the mid-90s with the invention of a lab process to grow the crystals. Moissanite is actually a naturally occuring mineral although it is extremely rare and small in size......hence, making lab-grown moissanite more appropriate for most jewelry pieces.

Moissanite is almost as hard as diamonds and is often as brilliant if not more so. Moissanite can be made into a number of shapes and put in a variety of settings. However unlike diamonds, moissanite often may reflect faint color hues of yellow, green or gray, under certain lighting. In addition, Moissanite is not graded in carat weight but a comparable diamond carat value is usually given to allow the buyer to make useful comparisons

Many experienced jewelers can mistake a high-quaility moissanite for a diamond and sometimes lab instruments must be used to aid in this determination.

Moissanite can be fairly difficult to grow in the laboratory, and high-quality moissanite can be more expensive than low-quality diamonds and are almost always more expensive than cubic zirconias. In general, Moissanite stones cost about 1/8 of what diamonds cost.

So should you consider buying a moissanite engagement ring for your future wife? It comes down to whether:

- you have the money to purchase a diamond or whether you'd rather save money and buy a moissanite ring

- whether you care if the ring is an authentic diamond or if this a non-issue

- your significant other's input......after all...she will hopefully be wearing the ring for the rest of her life

About The Author

Julie Shields is sporting a beautiful ascher cut engagement ring. She and her husband put together a website to help you find the perfect engagement ring: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com

Use the article as you wish but make mention of the ultimate engagement ring guide website as listed.