Green Engagement Rings: Why Not Choose Moissanite?

As the jewellery market slowly begins to shift away from the trends that dominated it for decades, so too does the public’s taste. Influenced as they are by the media, certain couples began to notice the shift in paradigm that led away from pure clear diamond baubles and towards other, bolder and more unique alternatives.

Among these alternatives, one of the most popular is the concept of coloured rings. Making use of the natural beauty of stones such as the sapphire, the ruby or the emerald, these jewels often combine them with colourful bands, resulting in pieces that are at once appealing, different and unique. Red, blue, green and yellow engagement rings are perhaps the leaders of a ‘pack’ that also includes such colours as purple, pink and even black, and which threatens to dethrone the clear diamond in years to come.

And when one starts thinking about the best stones to use in green engagement rings or yellow engagement rings, one of the types of gems ranking the highest on the list is moissanite. Though not as popular as the emerald or the topaz, this stone is nonetheless a firm favourite among both jewellers and customers, and presents a few advantages worth considering when deciding on a purchase.

Historically, moissanite has a somewhat more recent origin than some of the other popular gemstones on the market. The stone was first discovered a little over a century ago, in 1893, when French chemist Henri Moissan received some samples from a meteor crater located in Arizona, USA. Upon closer examination, Moissan discovered fragments of which he erroneously thought to be diamonds. Eleven years later, in 1904, he would correct his mistake, and declare the fragments as belonging to an entirely new type of stone, promptly named after him.

Nonetheless, Moissan’s confusion is justifiable. Moissanite is very close to diamond in composition, to the point where it is often used to simulate the more expensive stone. It is also often found as a natural inclusion in diamonds themselves. It is most often entirely colourless, although on occasion it may produce green or yellow-tinted stones that can look marvellous set atop green engagement rings or yellow engagement rings.

Why, then, has moissanite taken over a hundred years before making a mark on the gemstone market, and why did its commercialization as a jewellery stone only begin about a decade and a half ago? The answer may lie in the fact that, aside from Moissan’s original hunk of meteor crater, no other sources of natural moissanite were discovered until the 1950s. Even as late as 1986, specialists were speculating on the authenticity of the stone as a natural gem, although this has since been proven.

All controversies aside, however, fans of green engagement rings and yellow engagement rings who may not want or indeed be able to afford a diamond will no doubt see some value in silicon carbide, better known as moissanite.

Frank L Orman is the founder of the F&L Designer Guides, compiled and written to help consumers choose a unique engagement ring design. From green engagement rings to princess cuts and engraved bands, we have ideas and opinions covering all the options. Offering advice, tips and suggestions on how to choose that perfect ring, F&L will accompany you on every stage of your search to find the right designer.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.