How to Build a Moissanite Ring
Diamonds have come under fire in recent years for political reasons. Some refuse to buy or wear them. However, the desire for beautiful gemstones remains high. Moissanite is a diamond alternative that some are choosing to replace diamonds. Moissanite is man-made and less expensive than diamonds. Loose stones can be placed in a variety of settings to create jewelry that will out sparkle all other stones.
Moissanite is truly a gift from the heavens. It was found in a meteor crater in Arizona. The only naturally occurring crystals were so tiny that they could not be used in jewelry, however their brilliance inspired a quest to recreate them in the lab. Moissanite is a man-made material, but there is no natural alternative available. It would be somewhat unfair to call them "fakes" or a diamond simulant like cubic zirconia. They are their own unique gemstone and were not created to substitute for diamonds.
Moissanite, in fact, does not closely resemble a diamond to the trained eye. Moissanite display twice as much fire as a diamond, and they are not pure white. They send out a shower of rainbow colored sparkle on a base that is slightly grey or green. Before buying a Moissanite, always ask to see it in daylight, to be sure that you like its color and brilliance.
While diamonds are the hardest stone, rating a 10 on the Moh's scale, Moissanite is a close second at 9.25. Moissanite should be able to withstand a lifetime of wear.
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Instructions
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Choose a stone. Moissanite is cut in all shapes. If you are interested in a shape that will show off Moissanite's extreme fire (or dispersion) choose a round cut stone. Rounds display the most fire. Other shapes with high dispersion include ovals, trillions, and pears. To play down the dispersion, select an emerald, heart or marquise shape.
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Choose a metal. Moissanite, while cheaper than a good quality diamond, is still an expensive stone. When creating a ring or other setting for Moissanite, a strong metal should be used. Ideally, platinum, or gold of high purity: 18 or 14 karat. Stones set in softer materials may be lost if the setting's prongs are damaged.
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Choose a setting. Moissanite is an ideal stone for a solitaire setting. It really doesn't require any side stones to make a powerful statement. However, it's always fun to have multiple stones or add colored stones for contrast. Warm side stones in yellow, orange, pink or red tones would be great compliments to Moissanite's somewhat cool natural color. When choosing stones to compliment Moissanite it's important they be of good quality. Moissanite's unrivaled sparkle will make lesser stones pale in comparison. One way to avoid this problem would be to compliment your Moissanite with opaque stones like black spinel, chrysoprase, or opal.
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Have your stone set. Even though Moissanite is man-made, any jeweler can set it. It does not require any special handling. If you don't have a jeweler you trust, ask your friends for recommendations. When considering a new jeweler, feel free to ask them questions about their experience and look closely at the quality of the merchandise in their store.
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Tips & Warnings
Compare Moissanite prices from a variety of sources.
Be wary of Moissanite sold on E-bay.
Resources
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Comments
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lynnp
Aug 23, 2009
Nice article on the shapes and quality of moissanite. I love my green moissanite solitaire and I appreciate others writing about it. As side stones, moissanite comes in colors now! 5*
