The best place to buy moissanite has become an increasingly popular question as this dazzling gemstone captivates jewelry lovers. Moissanite is an alluring alternative with its brilliant fire and affordability compared to diamonds. This gemstone journey will uncover the ideal places to buy moissanite online for the informed shopper.

Moissanite’s shimmering allure is making waves in the jewelry world. But what exactly is this mesmerizing stone? Moissanite is a lab-created gemstone that exhibits exceptional brilliance and fire-rivaling diamonds. With hardness nearly as high as a diamond, durability is another key benefit. This synthetic gem is compelling for those captivated by moissanite’s beauty yet conscious of ethical and affordable sourcing.

The best places to buy moissanite online must balance ethical production with convenient purchasing. This guide will uncover the top online retailers to source moissanite while avoiding overpriced offerings. For the curious jewelry lover, embark on this gemstone journey to find the ideal destination for dazzling moissanite.

Moissanite’s Origins, Formation, and Unique Physical Properties

Moissanite has a fascinating history beginning with its meteoric discovery. The natural mineral moissanite was first found in 1893 by Nobel Prize winner Henri Moissan in the Canyon Diablo meteorite. It was named in Moissan’s honor by G. Kunz in 1905. In 1893, Edward G. Acheson accidentally created silicon carbide, which he called Carborundum while attempting to synthesize diamond. Acheson later improved the process, which is still used today to produce silicon carbide abrasives.

While over 150 polytypes of silicon carbide exist, called moissanite, only two can currently be manufactured in bulk – 4H and 6H alpha-SiC. Both form hexagonal near-colorless crystals. The near-colorless synthetic moissanite used in jewelry is the 6H polytype. With a hardness of 9.25 on the Mohs scale, moissanite has exceptional durability. The brilliance and fire of faceted moissanite rivals fine diamonds.

Cree Research and C3 Inc. pioneered the development of near-colorless synthetic moissanite for gemstones. This scientific engineering allows moissanite to be created in a lab rather than a mine, offering an ethical and sustainable alternative to diamonds. The brilliance comes from moissanite’s unique origins and atomic structure.

Comparing Moissanite’s Brilliance, Durability, and Fire to Traditional Diamonds

When evaluating Moissanite against traditional diamonds, three key factors stand out: brilliance, durability, and fire. In terms of brilliance, or light reflection, both diamonds and moissanite can exhibit remarkable brightness due to their high refractive indices. However, moissanite often surpasses diamonds in dispersion rate, resulting in more impressive fire. 

Moissanite tends to display more vivid fire than diamonds, while diamonds achieve a balanced mix of brilliance, dispersion, and scintillation. When it comes to durability, diamonds are the hardest gems while moissanite nearly matches this exceptional resistance. While differences exist, both moissanite and diamond possess exceptional optical properties and harness light brilliantly. For the consumer, choosing between these dazzling gems depends on individual preference for fiery rainbows or balanced sparkles.

When evaluating diamond alternatives, moissanite stands out for its comparable brilliance, impressive durability, and especially its remarkable fire. This scientifically engineered gemstone uniquely harnesses light. While no gem can match the diamond, moissanite comes close in terms of optical performance.

Unmasking the Ethical Advantages of Lab-grown Moissanite vs. Mined Diamonds

When evaluating the best place to buy moissanite, the ethical advantages of lab-grown stones stand out. Mined diamonds often originate in conflict zones and contribute to environmental damage through extractive practices. Alternatively, moissanite is created sustainably in a lab. This scientific engineering allows the best place to buy moissanite to provide an affordable, durable, and ethical alternative to diamonds.

• Affordability: Lab-grown moissanite costs significantly less than diamond due to abundant production methods. Shoppers can access a stunning and sustainable gemstone for a fraction of the price.
• Ethical and Environmentally Friendly: Lab-grown moissanite offers identical brilliance and fire as mined diamonds but without environmental and humanitarian concerns. The best place to buy moissanite sources stones manufactured in innovative labs, not unethical mines.
• Durability: Moissanite is incredibly strong and scratch-resistant, making it perfect for everyday wear. It sparkles just as much as diamond thanks to its high refractive index.
• Availability: Since there are abundant lab-grown moissanites, customers have more access, unlike limited natural diamonds. Moissanite comes in various shapes, sizes, and colors.

Ultimately, the best place to buy moissanite prioritizes ethics and affordability without sacrificing beauty or durability. By choosing lab-grown moissanite over mined diamond, consumers empower sustainable production, inclusive access to fine jewelry, and innovative science. For the conscientious yet stylish shopper, moissanite is the clear choice.

Shopping Savvy: Navigating the Moissanite Marketplace

When searching for the best place to buy moissanite, reputable brands like Charles & Colvard and Brilliant Earth stand out. 

Charles & Colvard 

Is a pioneering brand that first created moissanite gems in a lab. Their tagline “We are Made, not Mined” represents their commitment to ethically-sourced stones. Charles & Colvard is known industry-wide as one of the best place to buy moissanite with exceptional quality.

Brilliant Earth

An eco-conscious company focused on sustainable practices and dazzling designs. Brilliant Earth aims to cultivate a more transparent, sustainable, compassionate, and inclusive jewelry industry, making it one of the best place to buy moissanite for the ethically-minded buyer

Uncovering Hidden Gems

For those seeking a truly unique best place to buy moissanite, bespoke designers and independent jewelers provide options beyond traditional retailers. With an open mind and a taste for imaginative style, hidden gem destinations can fulfill any moissanite dreams.

Etsy

connects buyers to talented independent jewelers. On Etsy, artisans craft handmade moissanite jewelry and custom designs. Discover an immense selection of unique moissanite treasures crafted with care and imagination.

ICE Cartel

For novelty over classic styles, ICE Cartel uniquely offers moissanite with exceptional clarity and reflectivity. ICE Cartel handcrafts these dazzling gemstones using 14k gold and sterling silver, ensuring enduring beauty. Designed for all identities, their inclusive pieces suit any taste. Undoubtedly the best place to buy moissanite, you can explore collections here.

Why Moissanite Grades Matter

When searching for the best place to buy moissanite, prioritizing certified gems is crucial for several reasons:

• Make Informed Decisions: Moissanite certification allows you to compare stones confidently based on cut, clarity, and color and make the best choice for your needs. Uncertified moissanite lacks this objective information.
• Remorseless: With moissanite certification confirming unbiased quality evaluation, buyers can add stones to their cart guilt-free, knowing the gem matches the price. No regrets about certified moissanite.
• High Resale Value: While you’ll never want to part with your moissanite jewelry, certification provides proof of authenticity and durability for higher resale value if desired. Uncertified moissanite lacks this assurance.

Moissanite grading eliminates guesswork and gives buyers objective information to find their perfect gem. Certification also offers confidence for a regret-free purchase that retains value over time. For long-term satisfaction, only the best place to buy moissanite will provide verified grading reports. When this precious purchase carries a certified guarantee, buyers can treasure their dazzling moissanite without doubt or hesitation.

What are Moissanite Grades

Moissanite grades are the factors gemological institutes use to assess quality. The four key grading criteria are:

Carat Weight Grade

Unlike diamond carat weight, moissanite uses a different scale based on millimeter size, not heaviness. Things to know:

• Carat weight is measured in metric carats, and one carat is equal to 0.2 grams.
• Stones under 0.5 carats can appear less brilliant
• Over 1 carat may have visible tints
• Consider carat weight with ring size for proportion

Color Grading

Measures color concentration from colorless (D) to yellow hue (Z). 

• D, E, F – Colorless
• G, H, I – Near colorless
• J, K – Yellow hues

Cut Grading

well-cut stones allow the light to pass through them, increasing their brilliance. Alternatively, gemstones with a poor cut will stop light from traveling through them, which decreases their shine and makes them look dull.

• Poor
• Fair
• Good 
• Very Good
• Excellent

Clarity Grading

Assesses inclusions, from flawless (no inclusions under 10x magnification) to included (visible to the naked eye). GIA’s moissanite certificate of authenticity groups moissanite inclusions into five categories:

• Flawless (F) or Internally Flawless (IF)
• Very, Very Slightly Included (VVSI)
• Very Slightly Included (VSI)
• Slight Inclusions (SI)
• Included (I)

Moissanite grades benchmark quality through objective analysis. Carat, color, cut, and clarity grades allow buyers to make informed decisions when seeking the best place to buy moissanite.

Final Thoughts

For the curious jewelry lover, this gemstone journey unravels the allure of dazzling moissanite. From its meteoric origins to ethical production, moissanite delivers stunning beauty through innovative science. When seeking the best place to buy moissanite, reputable retailers like Charles & Colvard and Brilliant Earth offer quality stones ethically sourced from labs, not mines. For distinctive finds, independent jewelers on Etsy and ICE Cartel provide one-of-a-kind moissanite treasures. 

Ultimately, moissanite awakens the possibility for stylish self-expression aligned with ethical values. As an alternative engagement ringstone, moissanite empowers couples to celebrate their bond through conscientious consumerism. For all those dazzled by moissanite’s rainbow brilliance and origin story, this gemstone journey illuminates the best place to buy moissanite for a meaningful jewelry experience that sparkles from every angle.