Any downsides...

[CountingTheWaves]

...to a moissanite ring?

I was not proposed to with a ring, and that hasn't bothered me. But it's not like a ring would make me unhappy to get, either ;), so recently my fiance and I have been discussing it more. We both have ethical qualms with the diamond mining industry, plus we're both college students with low budgets.

I stumbled upon moisssanite, and I'm having a hard time believing what a great alternative it seems like! In pictures, I cannot tell the difference between a diamond and a moissanite stone.

Are they as pretty as they look in pictures? I don't know anyone that has any moissanite in real life for me to look at. It seems, from what I've read, like they're almost as tough as diamonds, too...it just seems like such an easy, perfect alternative, I'm having a hard time believing there's not some huge catch.

To complicate matters, my dad offered to pay for a real diamond ring if we so choose. He wants to make sure that we don't pick out a ring that I only half-heartedly like because of our low budgets, so he's willing to spring for cruelty-free Canadian diamonds. It's an incredibly generous offer, but I'm torn.

What's the input from the ladies here at OneWed? Which would you choose?

[mitch]

There are a few threads on OW that cover this topic.

This one came to mind straight away. I'm sure others with younger brains than mine can find more on the subject.

http://forums.onewed.com/showthread.php?t=17945&highlight=moissanite

[WebLady]

I would just go to a local jewelery and look at some stones and compare for yourself.

I have never been a huge gemstone fan and I never liked CZ, but I would be fine with having moissanite. The only downside I can think of is that is is not a diamond, but it is close enough for me, especially for the cost difference and I don't have to have a diamond anyway ;)

Some might even say moissanite is better -
http://diamondssuck.com/

If you look up "moissanite vs. diamonds" you will find lots more info :)

[ChristineLS]

I have an emerald engagement ring, so count me in the gemstone ring group.

Your ring will be yours first. You will spend more time with it than anyone else, what do you want in a ring? What do you want you ring to accomplish (awkward phrasing, but you know what I mean)?

Take a look at both stones, in person, in the abstract, and then decide :)

Good luck!

[ksherlin]

Wait, this sounds silly... but what is moissanite?

[moonrai1980]

My ring isn't a diamond but it sure does look like one. the lady at zales couldn't tell the difference. but i'm not a diamond fan any way and i plan on replacing the stone on our ten year anniversary with his birthstone. I've heard to many horror stories to even think about a diamond. And if something ever happens and you have to sell it you never get back what you put in. SO think about what you want and need and if you decide to do mosainite now you can always replace when the budget gets better.

[pinkbride]

whats the controversy with the diamond industry just out of interest? i dont watch enough news...!

if you are happy with the look of the ring and its going to last as long as you want it to then go for it! show us a pic when you have chosen one!! :) x

[CountingTheWaves]

Pinkbride, basically the diamond industry has been implicated in violence in Africa. I don't know if you've ever heard the phrase "blood diamond" or "conflict diamond," but if you have, that's what it's referring to. I think there was a movie on it?

Ksherlin, moissanite is just another type of stone, that happens to look like a diamond. It's ok, I'd never heard of it at all until I started looking into rings!

Thanks for the links, guys. I read that other thread, mitch, and it was very encouraging. I think I'm close to going ahead and making the final decision. My fiance is getting excited about the idea of a moissanite ring, too. He's not big into the tradition of diamonds. This type of ring will be something that represents us more, I think.

Here's the main one I keep getting drawn to:
http://www.moissanitediamond.com/Moissanite-14k-White-Gold-Round-Six-Prong-Classic-Tiffany-Solitaire-.aspx

I'm kind of frightened about ordering it. What if it's the wrong size?! I went and got sized at a jeweler the other day, and by their account my fingers are WAY tinier than I thought they are.

[hmz819]

That ring is really pretty. No advise on ordering...but I am sure you can get it re-sized at any reputable jewelry store if you needed to.

[RosieAngel]

The only downside to moissanite that I'm aware of is that it looks and even sparkles exactly like a flawless diamond, so if you want to actually make a statement about the needlessness of supporting the diamond cartel, this won't do the trick. However, if you just want the beautiful diamond look without any guilt, it's perfect!

EDIT: Oh, a jeweler can resize a solitaire so easily! I had to have mine sized down, and it was no big deal! Supposedly, getting a ring sized up is a bit more difficult, but it can be done!

It's good to trust the jeweler's measurements, though. Solitaires especially tend to slide around if they're even just a little bit too big! DH and I used a ring sizer at home before he chose my ring, and we were totally off!

[doby48]

I have a diamond ring and absolutely love mine. My fiancé knew I liked pear cut so thats what he bought me. He bought the loose diamond from one jeweler and then bought the ring from another one which saved a lot on $. Anyways, the engagement ring is supposed to be personal and represent you. If you are not a diamond person then by all means go with something else as its all about you really when it comes down to it. In our case I love my engagement ring and how it looks as is so I decided I dont want a wedding band so this is all it will be which for us works.

[CountingTheWaves]

Well, we went ahead and ordered the ring! I got re-sized at another jeweler, just to be sure. I'm so excited, it should be here in about 5 days, just in time for us to marvel at it before I go back to school. I really think I'll appreciate having it when I'm away for these last few semesters before we get married.

Thanks for all the input :) I'll get pictures of it on my hand as soon as it arrives.

[CountingTheWaves]

Quick update: It's here, it fits perfectly, my boy and I were crazy excited when we opened the box! By the way, I know it looks like I have lots of dirt under my pointer fingernail, but it's actually where my finger got crushed/bruised awhile ago (taking forever to heal).

[hmz819]

Beautiful ring!

[Danielle9608]

I agree beautiful ring :yesnod:

[Heywie]

That's gorgeous! It looks beautiful on your finger!!!

[pinkbride]

aw glad you have it! It looks beautiful! x

[mj512]

Very pretty

[CountingTheWaves]

Thank you for the kind comments, you guys! :p