What is moissanite?
Moissanite was discovered in the 1800s and is a gemstone born from the stars. It does not occur naturally on Earth but is found in meteorites and asteroids peppering the Earth’s surface over billions of years. Because of this, it’s extremely rare and instead, most moissanite is made in a lab - making it more cost-effective and affordable than traditionally mined diamonds.
This special stone is clear in colour and almost as hard as diamonds, making them just as durable and suitable for everyday wear. If you were to hold a moissanite and diamond side by side, you probably would’t be able to tell the difference.
Despite their similarities, there is a big difference in the chemical composition of diamonds versus moissanite. Moissanite has a composition of around 70% silicon and 30% carbon whereas diamonds are almost 100% pure carbon with only trace elements present in their make-up.
Why choose moissanite?
Moissanite is a beautiful stone, perfect for engagement rings and everyday jewellery alike. It has a sparkle and fire like no other and its galactic origins make it extra special. But why should you choose moissanite over other stones such as diamonds - the gem its often claimed to be imitating?
Moissanite makes a lovely alternative to diamonds, but its a stunning stone in its own right. Due to how rare it is, it can make a really unique choice for someone who loves astronomy or geology. Similarly, if your love loves nothing more than to sparkle and shine, this gem is the perfect option due its rainbow-hued brilliance.
It’s an extremely hard stone, meaning it won’t be scratched easily. When looking at moissanite vs lab diamonds, moissanite is generally more affordable so is perfect for when you’re looking for an engagement ring on a budget.
Additionally, because moissanite is lab-grown and not mined, it can be an appealing option for those who want to avoid the environmental and social impact that some gemstone mining can have.
Moissanite vs. diamonds
What are the differences between natural diamonds and lab diamonds?
The main differences between natural and lab diamonds include their sourcing and the price.
The visual attributes of both types of diamonds are identical, both chemically and visually. Both diamond types can demonstrate clarity characteristics to the naked eye however, the controlled nature of lab grown diamonds mean that lower quality diamonds are more scarce.
As natural diamonds are formed in an uncontrolled environment, it’s normal for additional trace elements to become embedded in the carbon, which leads to their spectacular colouring. As a result, purely colourless diamonds are highly coveted.
Lab-grown diamonds are created in a controlled environment where conditions are stable and other elements cannot interfere. This also means that they are more affordable, as more can always be produced which lowers the price-point (unlike natural diamonds which are finite). This means you are able to get a stunning stone for a lower cost.
Buying diamonds that are lab created also guarantees that there are no ethical concerns related to the treatment of people involved in production. Austen & Blake sources diamonds from recognised trading centres that are Kimberley Process Certified so you can rest assured that the jewellery you buy will be ethically sourced.
Step-by-step: Choosing your moissanite jewellery
.png)
So you’ve decided that moissanite is the perfect stone for your loved one - what are the next steps?
Step 1: Work out your budget
The first step to shopping for a piece of moissanite jewellery is to work out your budget.
Traditionally it has been said that you should spend 2-3 months salary on a ring. Nowadays, however,
this figure is much more flexible.
Rather than trying to save a full three months worth of salaries before you’re able to propose,
use of our engagement ring calculator to work out how much you can reasonably afford to spend.
Engagement ring calculator
Step 2: Choose the style
Choosing 'the ring' should be a truly personal experience, where style is carefully considered to create a design that works with your partner’s personality.
Make sure you take their fashion sense and hobbies into consideration when choosing a ring as certain things, such as wearing gloves or being active, may affect the jewellery they will wear.
It is also a good idea to take note of what jewellery your partner already wears. For someone who doesn’t wear a lot of jewellery,
something classic and simple such as a solitaire setting may be enough whereas someone who wears lots of rings may prefer to wear something more stand-out like a cluster ring.
.png)
Step 3: Find the right size
Next, you’ll want to make sure the ring fits. We know that not everyone knows their ring size - and that’s ok! There are a few different
ways you can find the perfect ring size for you or your partner so make sure you read through all your options on our
Ring Size guide.
But if you do happen to accidentally pick the wrong size, Austen & Blake offer a free
30-day resizing service to ensure it fits perfectly.
.png)
Step 4: Choose the design
Ring setting
The setting describes how gemstones are set, or mounted, into a metal band and aims to fully highlight the beauty of the gemstone.
and can be one of the first things that someone notices about the ring.
Stone shape
The stone shape is the physical shape of the stone in the ring. The shape can affect the brilliance of some stones and some shapes suit different hands.
For example, a baguette-shaped stone will make fingers look longer while a circular stone may suit dainty hands better than an oval one.
.png)
Precious metal
The third design aspect to consider is the precious metal the band is made of. If your significant other only wears jewellery of a specific colour, make sure the metal you choose for the ring matches. For example, if they only wear silver jewellery, try to opt for a platinum, white gold, or silver band to match.
Shop engagement rings to customise the different design options to your preference.
.png)
Moissanite jewellery
Not just limited to moissanite engagement rings, Austen & Blake have a wide range of moissanite jewellery to choose from. Whether you’re looking for an extra special gift or just want to treat yourself, you can find a range of moissanite pendants and moissanite earrings in our gorgeous collection.
link copied
Book an appointment
What is moissanite?
Moissanite was discovered in the 1800s and is a gemstone born from the stars. It does not occur naturally on Earth but is found in meteorites and asteroids peppering the Earth’s surface over billions of years. Because of this, it’s extremely rare and instead, most moissanite is made in a lab - making it more cost-effective and affordable than traditionally mined diamonds.
This special stone is clear in colour and almost as hard as diamonds, making them just as durable and suitable for everyday wear. If you were to hold a moissanite and diamond side by side, you probably would’t be able to tell the difference.
Despite their similarities, there is a big difference in the chemical composition of diamonds versus moissanite. Moissanite has a composition of around 70% silicon and 30% carbon whereas diamonds are almost 100% pure carbon with only trace elements present in their make-up.
Why choose moissanite?
Moissanite is a beautiful stone, perfect for engagement rings and everyday jewellery alike. It has a sparkle and fire like no other and its galactic origins make it extra special. But why should you choose moissanite over other stones such as diamonds - the gem its often claimed to be imitating?
Moissanite makes a lovely alternative to diamonds, but its a stunning stone in its own right. Due to how rare it is, it can make a really unique choice for someone who loves astronomy or geology. Similarly, if your love loves nothing more than to sparkle and shine, this gem is the perfect option due its rainbow-hued brilliance.
It’s an extremely hard stone, meaning it won’t be scratched easily. When looking at moissanite vs lab diamonds, moissanite is generally more affordable so is perfect for when you’re looking for an engagement ring on a budget.
Additionally, because moissanite is lab-grown and not mined, it can be an appealing option for those who want to avoid the environmental and social impact that some gemstone mining can have.
Moissanite vs. diamonds
What are the differences between natural diamonds and lab diamonds?
The main differences between natural and lab diamonds include their sourcing and the price.
The visual attributes of both types of diamonds are identical, both chemically and visually. Both diamond types can demonstrate clarity characteristics to the naked eye however, the controlled nature of lab grown diamonds mean that lower quality diamonds are more scarce.
As natural diamonds are formed in an uncontrolled environment, it’s normal for additional trace elements to become embedded in the carbon, which leads to their spectacular colouring. As a result, purely colourless diamonds are highly coveted.
Lab-grown diamonds are created in a controlled environment where conditions are stable and other elements cannot interfere. This also means that they are more affordable, as more can always be produced which lowers the price-point (unlike natural diamonds which are finite). This means you are able to get a stunning stone for a lower cost.
Buying diamonds that are lab created also guarantees that there are no ethical concerns related to the treatment of people involved in production. Austen & Blake sources diamonds from recognised trading centres that are Kimberley Process Certified so you can rest assured that the jewellery you buy will be ethically sourced.
Step-by-step: Choosing your moissanite jewellery
So you’ve decided that moissanite is the perfect stone for your loved one - what are the next steps?
Step 1: Work out your budget
The first step to shopping for a piece of moissanite jewellery is to work out your budget. Traditionally it has been said that you should spend 2-3 months salary on a ring. Nowadays, however, this figure is much more flexible.
Rather than trying to save a full three months worth of salaries before you’re able to propose, use of our engagement ring calculator to work out how much you can reasonably afford to spend.
Engagement ring calculator
Step 2: Choose the style
Choosing 'the ring' should be a truly personal experience, where style is carefully considered to create a design that works with your partner’s personality. Make sure you take their fashion sense and hobbies into consideration when choosing a ring as certain things, such as wearing gloves or being active, may affect the jewellery they will wear.
.png)
It is also a good idea to take note of what jewellery your partner already wears. For someone who doesn’t wear a lot of jewellery, something classic and simple such as a solitaire setting may be enough whereas someone who wears lots of rings may prefer to wear something more stand-out like a cluster ring.
Step 3: Find the right size
Next, you’ll want to make sure the ring fits. We know that not everyone knows their ring size - and that’s ok! There are a few different ways you can find the perfect ring size for you or your partner so make sure you read through all your options on our Ring Size guide.
.png)
But if you do happen to accidentally pick the wrong size, Austen & Blake offer a free 30-day resizing service to ensure it fits perfectly.
Step 4: Choose the design
Ring setting
The setting describes how gemstones are set, or mounted, into a metal band and aims to fully highlight the beauty of the gemstone. and can be one of the first things that someone notices about the ring.
Stone shape
.png)
The stone shape is the physical shape of the stone in the ring. The shape can affect the brilliance of some stones and some shapes suit different hands. For example, a baguette-shaped stone will make fingers look longer while a circular stone may suit dainty hands better than an oval one.
Precious metal
.png)
The third design aspect to consider is the precious metal the band is made of. If your significant other only wears jewellery of a specific colour, make sure the metal you choose for the ring matches. For example, if they only wear silver jewellery, try to opt for a platinum, white gold, or silver band to match.
Shop engagement rings to customise the different design options to your preference.
Moissanite jewellery
Not just limited to moissanite engagement rings, Austen & Blake have a wide range of moissanite jewellery to choose from. Whether you’re looking for an extra special gift or just want to treat yourself, you can find a range of moissanite pendants and moissanite earrings in our gorgeous collection.