Moissanite makes for a fantastic alternative to traditional diamonds, but where in the US can you buy an authentic moissanite ring?
There are many jewelry retailers that offer moissanite rings, from Kohl’s to Walmart, and from Sears to Charles & Colvard. You can also buy moissanite rings online from outlets like Amazon, Forever-Moissanite, or MoissaniteCo.
Read on to learn more about moissanite, why it’s a popular alternative for a diamond, and how much a moissanite ring costs.
The Alternative You’ve Never Heard Of
We all know the popular sayings, diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and, diamonds are forever, but what about the alternatives? There are plenty of competitors to diamond in the jewelry industry, but few are as close to diamond as moissanite.
It can be argued that diamond is at the tip-top of the gemstone stakes, boasting unbeatable toughness and an extremely remarkable sparkling quality. There are no gemstones – or materials – on Earth quite as tough as a diamond, which ranks at the top of the Mohs Hardness Scale.
Furthermore, diamonds are considered timeless, as long as they’re cared for correctly. It takes billions of years for a diamond to form, and once it is taken from the Earth, cut, polished, and set into a ring, the end result is quite often breathtaking.
Moissanite is another gemstone that boasts these attractive attributes, and it has the added bonus of being remarkably passable for an authentic diamond. In fact, plenty of moissanite stones will trick a diamond tester with ease.
In its naturally-occurring state, moissanite is dramatically rare – much more so than diamonds, which are essentially commonplace. The first-ever moissanite to be discovered was found within a meteor, uncovered by a French scientist named Henri Moissan.
Hence, the name – Moissanite.
Originally, Moissan believed he’d found a diamond buried within the meteor, but when he tested it, he discovered it was actually silicon carbide. This material was already noted for its uniqueness, boasting an intense brilliance and incredible hardness.
As a result of this origin story, there are plenty of people who say that moissanite is a gemstone that was ‘born in the stars’; an appropriate statement, we’d say. Today, most moissanite stones are lab-created, being synthesized to the same level of quality as you’d see ‘in the wild’.
Put Moissanite On Your Finger
Apparently, the most attractive setting for a dazzling moissanite stone is on a white gold ring, where it can easily pass as a sizable diamond. This is where yet another positive moissanite attribute surfaces, as a gem-quality moissanite stone is much cheaper than a gem-quality diamond.
But, where in the United States can you buy such a ring, and how much does one cost?
Well, for all their rarity, it actually isn’t all that hard to find a moissanite ring, as many of America’s biggest retailers offer them in some way, shape, or form. For example, you can find moissanite rings at Kohl’s, Walmart, Target, or Macy’s, among many other stores.
Reportedly, one of the most popular places to purchase a moissanite ring would be from Charles and Colvard, a jeweler that specializes in moissanite jewelry. This organization has been trading since the mid-nineties, and they self-proclaim to be the providers of the finest moissanite jewelry in the world.
Charles and Colvard also offer lab-grown, synthetic diamonds, but let’s push those to the side for a moment and discuss what’s important.
Now, let’s say you’re in the market for a moissanite engagement ring, and you’ve chosen Charles and Colvard to equip you with one. According to their website, you can purchase a 14-carat white gold band with a row of small moissanite stones for $319.
Alternatively, if you’re feeling a little more flush, you can jump to the other end of Charles and Colvard’s spectrum. At the top of the table sits a collection of gorgeous platinum and white gold rings, adorned with enormous, 6-carat moissanite stones.
These rings come with a considerable price tag, floating between the five and six thousand dollar mark, but that’s nothing compared to the diamond-based alternatives. At Charles and Colvard, the most expensive lab-grown diamond engagement comes with a seventeen thousand dollar price tag.
In fact, Charles and Colvard use a dropshipping business method, and if you’re purchasing a moissanite ring from any of the aforementioned retailers, it might just be one of their rings. So, shop around at your own free will, knowing that you’re never far from the best option.