Moissanite is a synthetic gem. It is not a
fake diamond at all. It is a mineral that appears
very similar to a diamond.
Moissanite is made in a laboratory using silicon
carbide crystals. They have a more brilliant
shine than diamonds. They are also less expensive,
usually costing a mere 10th of the cost of the
real thing.
Moissanite was discovered in the late 1800's
in Arizona, at the bottom of a meteor crater.
It wasn't until 1995 that it was discovered
that there was a way to make these stones into
jewelry. The process was perfected and cutting
styles that would allow the moissanite to truly
sparkle were crafted.
Moissanite stones are popular with couples
who are working on a tight budget and want a
ring with a bigger stone. That it sparkles so
beautifully is a plus in their book. It is also
pretty strong stone and is quite close to a
diamond in hardness. Buyers should know though
that moissanite tends to have greenish or grayish
tint instead of being colorless.
Cubic Zirconia on the other hand was discovered
in 1937 by two German scientists. It is created
by heating and combining yttrium oxide and zirconium
oxide in a complicated process perfected in
1970. To the naked and untrained eye, it would
be difficult to distinguish a real diamond from
a cubic zirconia stone if the imitation piece
is well cut.
The most famous name in the retail of cubic
zirconia is Swarovski and Co. Being less costly
than the real gem; cubic zirconia has been used
by the wealthy, the elite and the celebrities
to decorate almost any fashion piece from jewelry
to bags to clothes. There's even a motorcycle
encrusted with it owned by socialite turned
actress, Paris Hilton.
If you want to get a diamond and want to avoid
purchasing an imitation piece, you need to find
yourself an honest jeweler. You also need to
learn the basics of buying a diamond (namely
the four C's - cut, clarity, color and carat).
Best of all, make sure that you get a certificate
issued by the Gemological Institute of America
(GIA) identifying the uniqueness of your diamond.
Will your fiancée mind if you gave her
an imitation gem? Only if you told her it was
the real thing, would be our guess. After all,
everybody hates to learn that they have been
deceived. Better to let her make the choice
and work within your budget.
