The Benefits of Men's Moissanite Wedding Rings
Moissanite is a synthetic mineral, also known as silicon
carbide, which is used to simulate diamonds. It is becoming
quite popular as a diamond substitute because it has a
refraction similar to that of a diamond. Further, it is nearly
as hard as a diamond and just as thermally conductive, unlike
other replicas.
This unique mineral was discovered in 1893 as a small component
of a meteorite in Arizona by Dr. Ferdinand Henri Moissan.
Naturally occurring moissanite is exceedingly rare, having an
appearance similar to that of diamond and a tetrahedral
crystalline structure.
However, moissanite jewelry is largely a lab-created stone based
on the structure of natural moissanite, which is linked to
meteorites. On Mohs' scale of hardness, moissanite is 95. It has
more brilliance, fire and luster than any hard jewel on earth,
including diamond.
Naturally, price also plays a big role in the popularity of
moissanite. As a general rule, a moissanite stone retails at
about 1/10th the cost a diamond of equal size, this despite the
fact that moissanite has an even greater "sparkle."
Because the gem is not nearly as expensive as a diamond, the
price of a man's moissanite wedding ring will depend more on the
material and design of the ring than the stone.
Moissanite is a less expensive though stunningly beautiful
alternative to diamonds. While it may not please a woman, who
has a special emotional attachments to diamonds, it is an
appropriate substitute for a man who loves the look of an
expensive stone but does not want to pay the price.