Choosing an engagement ring, while something many of us have fantasized about for years, can be an overwhelming experience in reality. The task is made even more challenging when trying to respect your wallet and your wishes.
If you’ve launched your search for the perfect engagement ring, you’ve likely encountered classic natural diamonds and their high prices. So, for those looking for more cost-effective alternatives that still meet your sparkle standards, we encourage you to turn your focus to two other stones: lab diamonds and moissanite.
Keep scrolling to learn more about the differences between them and discover which stone is the right one for you.
featuring vintage floral pear lab diamond ring (left) and pear moissanite ring (right)
What are lab diamonds?
Just like mined diamonds, lab diamonds are also made of pure carbon. However, they are created in an environmentally friendly controlled lab using small fragments of pre-existing diamonds composed of pure carbon. The process used to create lab diamonds mimics the natural growth process, which makes them a highly desirable alternative.
featuring large tiara halo pear lab diamond ring stack
What is moissanite?
Moissanite, known as the "space diamond," is an incredibly rare, naturally occurring mineral too small to be cut into even a one-carat gemstone. Therefore, moissanite is produced in a laboratory using silicon carbide, making it an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to lab-grown diamonds.
featuring large vintage floral oval moissanite diamond ring stack
1. Quality
As both lab diamonds and moissanite are cultivated in a controlled laboratory setting, they contain fewer flaws than natural gemstones, resulting in higher quality. Their superior quality is attributed to the reduced number of imperfections and inclusions.
2. Brilliance
One of the most noticeable differences between lab diamonds and moissanite is their appearance, particularly their sparkle. Contrary to popular belief, moissanite delivers more brilliance and fire than both natural and lab diamonds, making moissanite beloved by some shoppers. However, this is not the case for every buyer. Due to the higher refractive index, moissanite displays a rainbow effect from certain angles that some buyers may dislike for its seemingly manufactured appearance. And the bigger the moissanite stone, the more noticeable the difference.
Meanwhile, a lab diamond reflects light in a different, more complex way that gives them more of a natural diamond sparkle. As a result, it’s more difficult for the naked eye to establish the difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds.
3. Color
Both moissanite and lab-grown diamonds can occur in a range of colors. Lab diamonds are graded using the same color grading system as natural diamonds, with a scale from D to Z color. On the other hand, moissanite is not graded on the diamond color grading scale but is categorized based on its color range, such as colorless or near-colorless.
At La More Design, we exclusively use the highest quality, certified colorless moissanite, known as Forever One Moissanite by Charles and Colvard, in our moissanite jewelry. Our lab diamond rings come with diamond reports from trusted certification organizations like IGI or GCAL, which confirm their superior quality, providing our customers with complete peace of mind.
4. Durability
When choosing a stone to wear daily, it is important to take into account its strength, which is a crucial factor. Diamonds, whether natural or lab-grown, are considered to be the hardest gemstone with a rating of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale of 1-10. Moissanite, on the other hand, is the second hardest gemstone, scoring 9.25, and is harder than sapphire. However, both diamonds and moissanite are suitable for everyday wear, so you can choose either one with confidence.
5. Price
Moissanite and lab-grown diamonds are known to be more cost-effective compared to natural diamonds. However, the cost of natural diamonds can vary widely based on factors such as shape, cut, clarity, and carat weight. If you're looking for a stone that is both budget-friendly and has a diamond-like sparkle, moissanite is a great choice as it is typically less expensive than natural and lab-grown diamonds.
As an example, our tiara halo diamond oval moissanite ring, which is priced at around $2,600, offers a similar style to an oval ring with a lab-grown diamond as the center stone, which is priced at $4,500. While lab-grown diamonds are indeed more affordable than natural diamonds, they still make for a budget-friendly choice.
featuring marquise lab diamond ring in tiara halo stacking ring set
Final Thoughts
When it comes to bridal ring sets, it is essential to know what you want before making a decision on the type of stone to choose. Both moissanite and lab diamonds offer stunning options, each with its own distinct features that are sure to capture the hearts of brides.
To discover your dream alternative engagement ring, take a look at our wide selection of moissanite rings and lab diamond rings. Regardless of which stone you ultimately select, we guarantee that you will be captivated by the sparkle and the significant savings that you can enjoy.
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