This entry is from our Expert Guest series where wedding and honeymoon professionals share their best tips on creating memories that last a lifetime. We want to thank our friends at Charles & Colvard for sharing this great content.
There are several moments in life that you will remember forever – getting engaged and getting married are two of those moments! And an engagement ring and wedding band are symbols of some of the most exciting and celebratory moments you’ll experience as a couple. But that doesn’t mean you need to break the bank to have a piece of jewelry you’ll always cherish. There are now alternatives that will still leave you speechless, without the price tag of a mined diamond.
The compromise between modern beauty and old-fashioned tradition drives many fine jewelry purchases. When making such a decision, it’s crucial to have a complete understanding of each type of gem you’re considering. Charles & Colvard has made it their mission to reinvent fine jewelry, to be more conscious and accessible, by bringing forward made, not mined™ gemstones that are as beautiful as they are ethical. They are here to help you make a more informed purchase that you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
What is Moissanite?
Mined diamonds are of course the traditional gem for engagement rings for over a century. Diamonds have a rare sparkle that has made them a sought-after luxury jewelry item. But, if you’re searching for a gemstone that is just as gorgeous as a diamond but less expensive and more sustainably sourced, look no further than Forever One™ colorless moissanite. Charles & Colvard’s patented process not only allows them to offer beautiful, environmentally responsible jewelry at an incredible value, but also ensures that you receive the highest quality gemstone on the market.
Moissanite is a rare, naturally occurring mineral also known as silicon carbide. Named after Nobel Prize-winning chemist Dr. Henri Moissan, moissanite was first discovered in 1893 at the site of a massive meteorite strike in Arizona. Moissanite itself is so unique, that it can rarely be found in nature, and is therefore grown above ground, in a laboratory. Scientists in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina later developed the thermal growing process that creates silicon carbide crystals, which are fashioned into moissanite gemstones.
Moissanite vs. Diamond
While diamonds are created from the compression of coal and minerals over many hundreds of years in the earth, moissanite comes from the stars. Originally, this rare gem was found in fragments of meteorite in pieces so small that cutting a gemstone from them was impossible. After many years of work, this rare, natural mineral was successfully grown in a lab. This process allows Charles & Colvard to create some of the most brilliant and beautiful colorless gems, rivaling the traditional beauty of diamonds in clarity and size – and measurably outshining diamonds with their brilliance and fire.
Why Choose a Moissanite Ring?
1. Moissanite is Second to Diamond in Terms of Hardness
Another benefit of moissanite is that it comes in second only to diamonds on the hardness scale – surpassing other gemstones including ruby, sapphire and emeralds. Even with a slight difference in hardness, don’t think moissanite isn’t tough. Charles & Colvard’s Forever One moissanite is rated 9.25 – 9.50 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, making it durable enough for everyday wear.
2. Moissanite is Environmentally and Socially Responsible
Charles & Colvard’s Forever One moissanite is lab-grown, so there is no mining involved in the creation process. It is not harmful to the earth, and it is not involved in any conflict trade. They do not go back into the earth to mine gemstones, or the precious metal used in their fine jewelry. The entire process follows their mission of made, not mined™, which is part of their corporate mission to provide ethical choices in the jewelry industry at revolutionary value.
Forever One™ is the culmination of two centuries of research and two decades of continuous innovation and is now available in two color grades: colorless (D-E-F) and near-colorless (G-H-I)*. The difference between the two is barely discernible with the naked eye, but they want to ensure excellence with every stone they grade. They pride themselves on their stringent grading process.
Charles & Colvard has trained experts hand-grade each piece of Forever One™ moissanite, which ensures the quality of the products their customers receive. Their grading scale guarantees their colorless D-E-F gemstones are just that, colorless. Near-colorless G-H-I is made from the same materials, however, it has a slight icy blue hue when exposed to light at just the right angle.
3. Many Options with Forever One™ Moissanite
Moissanite jewelry is not limited to specific styles, so when considering moissanite vs. diamonds, you will still have a huge array of luxury designs to choose from. Whether you want modern designs or traditional or vintage looks, Charles & Colvard Forever One™ Moissanite comes in all of the same cuts, settings, and configurations in which diamonds can be featured.
The difference is, of course, that distinctive moissanite brilliance, along with its eco-friendly beginnings. Each stone is carefully inspected for flaws, clarity, and brilliance to ensure that every moissanite gem is as beautiful and brilliant as the special person who will wear it.
Sparkle with Moissanite
Your engagement ring and wedding bands symbolize your life together with your partner – and should sparkle as such! Moissanite rings provide the sparkle you’re after, without the cost of mining, and allow for more size and brilliance at a lower price point than a traditional diamond. Charles & Colvard offers stunning made, not mined™ moissanite options, so you’ll find the perfect ring for you.
Shop Charles & Colvard Moissanite Rings
