One of the biggest decisions that you might have made in the past about your engagement ring is which type of diamond you want.

These days, though, there are lots of people out there that aren’t even considering a diamond for their engagement ring and are instead looking at some of the best diamond alternatives out there, including moissanite and morganite.

The Biggest Difference Between Moissanite and Morganite

The biggest differences between moissanite and morganite are:

• Morganite has an orange, salmon, pink hue whereas moissanite has a clearer hue
• Morganite offers a brilliance that is similar to diamonds, whereas moissanite is even more brilliant than a diamond
• Morganite comes up as 7.5 on the Mohs scale, whereas moissanite is 9.5
• Morganite isn’t as expensive as moissanite

Buying an engagement ring is a hard decision, and rings without diamonds are still relatively uncommon.

However, alternatives are becoming more and more popular, and it appears that consumers are starting to find other options beyond diamonds that they can make the most of.

Of course, there is no way of knowing exactly what the stats are, but there are quite a few people that say that they would like their engagement ring to include another gemstone beyond a diamond.

46% of consumers said that they didn’t think that an engagement ring needed to include a diamond at all, but while they still remain the most popular option, there are a number of reasons for this that go beyond popular culture and tradition.

The younger generation is starting to ask for more transparency about the sourcing of diamonds and gemstones, as well as being able to find options that are more affordable.

With all the choices out there online these days, it’s no wonder that people are steering clear of diamonds and opting for alternatives that are readily available online.

In this article we are going to talk about why you might want to go for an alternative to a diamond, and what you need to look for in a diamond alternative, and how moissanite and morganite compare as gemstones.

Bottom line: we think that if you can afford it, moissanite is your best bet as an alternative to a diamond. This is because it’s more brilliant, more stable, and the most similar to a diamond when looking at the list of alternatives.

Our go-to retailer is Forever Moissanite that has a huge range of moissanite engagement rings, along with different styles and cuts so that you can customize your ring and really make it yours.

Why Even Consider a Diamond Alternative?

One of the biggest reasons why diamond alternatives are being considered is because of the younger generation.

This makes sense when the marrying age is a little higher than it used to be, and people are increasingly looking for more affordable options, as opposed to splashing out and spending out of their budget for their engagement ring.

It goes beyond this, though – millennials are asking engagement rings to not only be more affordable, but more ethical.

Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they are going to go for the first diamond alternative that they come across, but it does mean that they want diamonds to be sourced ethically, as well as other gemstones out there.

As a result, there are lots of companies out there that are now selling diamonds that comply with ethics codes, so that diamonds do not finance civil wars.

Some companies are going even further and making sure that the diamonds they sell are compliant with responsible mining.

The other thing to think about is what can be grown in a lab. There are now lots of options for lab-grown gemstones and diamonds, and you can even get synthetic options as well.

Not only are these more affordable than natural diamonds, but they are also readily available and they don’t bring ethics into question.

What About Diamond Alternatives?

So, why not just opt for a lab grown diamond if you are concerned about the ethics of it? Lab grown diamonds are popular for a number of reasons. The first reason is that they are a lot more affordable, and they are readily available.

The second is that you’ve got more options, and there are less imperfections when compared to natural diamonds. The third is that of course they are removed from the ethics debacle.

However, a lab grown diamond isn’t necessarily for everyone.

This is because they are still pretty expensive, especially when compared to diamond alternatives, and there are many out there that like the idea of finding a gem that isn’t a diamond.

There are some people that might see the differences between diamonds and diamond alternatives as negative, but others will see it as a chance to have an engagement ring that is unique and original.

The Biggest Downsides to Buying Diamond Alternatives

There are many reasons why you might want to go for a diamond alternative, but there are also going to be disadvantages, just like there are cons to buying diamonds.

One of the biggest downsides to not buying a diamond is not making the most of their strength and durability.

Diamond are considered pretty tough, especially when compared with other gemstones out there. They are easily the hardest gemstones that you can find, which means that they are resistant to wear and tear and surface scratches.

This means that most alternatives to diamonds out there don’t have the same level of quality, so you are likely to be purchasing a gem that is a lot softer, a lot less tough, and doesn’t have as much durability.

Even for some gems out there that are quite hard, there is the issue of scintillation and brilliance.

Many gems out there, even with a nice cut, cannot come close to matching the brilliance of a diamond that is either natural or has been grown in a lab.

Some gems are going to be just as brilliant, but they are going to look different, and who knows what their durability rating is.

Different Kinds of Diamond Alternatives

So, what are the different kinds of diamond alternatives then that you might consider if you aren’t in the market for a traditional diamond? Let’s take a look:

• Natural gemstones: these are sourced through mining, just like diamonds are. Most gemstones are polished and refined before they are put on the market, but a lot of the time they don’t have as much color as those grown in a lab, and they are more expensive.
• Lab Grown or Synthetic: It is important to understand what kind of gem you are buying. A lab grown or synthetic gem is one that has the same chemical and physical properties are the naturally occurring option, but it has been grown in a controlled environment.
• Simulant: This is when you’ve got a stone that looks like a diamond or a gem, but it doesn’t have the same physical or chemical properties. Simulants are made using a host of different materials, and examples of simulants of diamonds are cubic zirconia, and they are often a lot cheaper, but they are also a lot less durable.

How Do I Know if Moissanite or Morganite is Right for Me?

The first thing to think about here is what kind of diamond alternative you might want to buy, as well as what kind of characteristics you expect out of your gem, and how much you are willing to spend on it.

You’ve got to be realistic when it comes to what your expectations are, because of course you need to like what you are buying, instead of just buying something that you think is slightly less money than a diamond.

You’ve got to not just think about your budget, but about your lifestyle, and what makes sense to you.

If you are someone who works outside all the time or near chemicals every day, then you might want to remove your engagement ring, no matter what gem you end up with.

At the end of the day, you need to think about your personal priorities and what you believe is most important.

What are the Biggest Differences Between Moissanite vs. Morganite?

Today we are going to have a look at the two most popular diamond alternatives – moissanite and morganite, and see how they compare when it comes to color, price, cut, clarity, toughness, sourcing, stability and appeal.

What is Moissanite vs. Morganite Made of?

First, let’s talk about what moissanite and morganite are made of, and how they are being classified.

Morganite is a type of beryl, which is a gem that was discovered in 1910 and is somewhat rare but can be grown in a lab. It is estimated that 80% of naturally occurring beryl comes from a single mine in Utah.

Aquamarines and emeralds are also formed of beryl, and they come in a variety of different colors, including pink, orange and blue.

Moissanite gems are both lab-grown and naturally occurring. And they are known as one of the hardest minerals because moissanite is made from silicon carbide.

Naturally occurring moissanite was discovered in the early 1890s by a scientist in France.

Which is More Similar to a Diamond?

When it comes to chemical properties, neither are similar to a diamond. Diamonds are made from carbon, whereas beryl is made from aluminium cyclosilicate, and moissanite is made from silicon carbide.

What Colors are Moissanite and Morganite?

One of the reasons why moissanite and morganite and popular alternatives to diamonds is because they both come in colors that are appealing to many.

Morganite is considered salmon or pink orange, and depending on the variations and clarity, people consider the oranges tones to be more appealing. Deeper cuts bring out the pink tones more.

On the other hand, moissanite is clear and looks almost colorless, like a diamond.

However, there are a number of variations, and nearly colorless moissanite is closest in appearance to diamond, which can be slightly warm to almost clear.

Which is Most Similar to a Diamond in Appearance?

Moissanite is going to be closer in appearance to a diamond, and morganites can be just as beautiful, but they are different.

How Expensive is Moissanite vs. Morganite?

Both moissanite and morganite are going to save you money if you purchase them as an alternative to a diamond, and the price between the two is going to depend on whether they have been grown in a lab, or are naturally occurring.

The average cost of a diamond is between $5000 and $6000, whereas morganite is going to cost you a few hundred dollars on average.

A moissanite gem is going to cost a lot less than a diamond, but almost double the price of a morganite gem. This means that morganite is the least expensive option.

Which is More Durable?

So, between moissanite and morganite, which is more durable?

Morganite is 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, which means that it is still relatively hardy, but it is still a lot softer than a diamond.

When it comes to toughness, it is pretty sturdy and similar to a diamond, but it can break upon impact. It is considered stable when it comes to light exposure, but the color can be corrupted by chemicals.

Moissanite is 9.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, which is second only to a diamond, which means that it almost as scratch resistant as a diamond.

When it comes to chipping, both with diamonds and morganite, you do have to take care of your gem, but you shouldn’t be able to chip it that easily, as long as the quality is high.

Moissanite is stable when it comes to heat, and it should be resistant to light and chemical exposure.

Which is Closer in Durability to a Diamond?

Moissanite is seen as more durable than morganite, and it is going to give you a similar wear point to a diamond.

Where is Each Sourced From?

So, should you be concerned about sourcing when considering moissanite or morganite as alternatives to a diamond?

It is definitely less of a problem, and for the most part you aren’t going to run into the same issues as you would with a diamond.

This is because moissanite and morganite gems don’t have the same violent history as diamonds do, but again this doesn’t mean that they are perfectly sourced.

Diamonds are under more scrutiny when it comes to grading and standards, so it’s easier to figure out where they are sourced.

Morganite is mined from a number of locations around the world, including Namibia and Mozambique, and some in America.

However, most of the morganite gems floating around the market come from Brazil.

If you are buying natural morganite, you can check out whether it has been associated with ethical mining practices, but a lot of morganite out there is also grown in a lab.

Moissanite on the other hand is almost always made in a lab between moissanite that is sourced naturally is very rare.

In order to get moissanite ready for the market, you need to take it through a thermal growing process.

This means that lab-grown moissanite is a lot cheaper and it is actually a lot more durable than moissanite that occurs naturally.

If you want to find a natural gem, morganite has more options, you’ve just got to make sure that it’s high quality and you know where it has been sourced from.

Moissanite also needs to go through a thermal process, so that you need to understand what you are purchasing if thinking about moissanite.

Brilliance of Morganite vs. Moissanite

Diamonds are known for their brilliance, which is the way that they catch in the light. So, keep in mind that no matter what gem you go for, there is going to be a difference in the brilliance.

Optimal cuts are going to be neither too shallow nor too deep, which means that a round brilliant shape is going to offer the best brilliance.

Morganite is seen as a pretty brilliant gem, though it isn’t as brilliant as a diamond. However, it is still pretty remarkable in its best form.

When it comes to moissanite, it also comes with a degree of brilliance, and you could argue that sometimes moissanite is seen as more brilliant than a diamond.

However, the brilliance is still multi-colored, so not for everyone. So compared with a diamond, you are going to find that morganite has a brilliance that is more similar, but moissanite is still up there and worth mentioning.

Is There Anything Else to Consider?

Moissanite is considered the most popular alternative in the market to a diamond. Moissanite has almost flawless clarity, which is in line with some of the best diamonds out there.

Morganite is less of a common choice, because it comes with a different hue, making it more unique. Morganite is known as a symbol of love because of its pink hues.

Which One is Right For Me?

The first thing to consider here is that you make sure that a diamond alternative is what you are really looking for.

If you are after a diamond, then you can save money through certain online retailers. The next thing you need to figure out if what carat size you are looking for.

There are a lot of pros and cons to both moissanite and morganite. Neither is going to be a clone of a diamond, but both are beautiful in their own way.

As we have talked about, moissanite is twice as expensive as morganite, but it is going to be a better investment because it is going to last you for a lot longer.

If you want something that is going to stand out and get people’s attention, then you might want to go for morganite – just make sure that you take it offer for activities that are likely to cause damage.

Personally, we recommend moissanite, and we recommend that you check out Forever Moissanite where you can find an affordable, ideal match.