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3 Sparkling Alternatives to Diamond Engagement Rings
Looking for an engagement ring? Find the difference between diamonds, moissanite, white topaz, and sapphire gems.
Through the years, when it comes to engagement rings, the top choice always is the diamond ring. It's a trend accepted by many that nothing can beat the diamond engagement ring's beauty and sparkle when it comes to proposal rings. Besides, diamonds are a girl's best friend. It doesn't always prove true, especially if you or your partner don't have a six-figure salary to afford the expensive diamond band. Thankfully, new alternatives for diamonds are becoming popular in the market, giving those diamond ring makers a run for their money. Know more about moissanite, white topaz, and white sapphire gems, and consider them seriously in your next engagement band hunt.
1. Moissanite Engagement Rings
The moissanite engagement ring trend is undeniably hot among millennials right now. With the look so identical to the diamond (that even the experts can't quickly tell it apart), it no denies that this has become one of the hottest diamond ring alternatives in the market. It's romantic, it's chic, and it's very trendy. This clear, shiny gemstone discovered recently has helped young couples decide what kind of engagement ring to wear. What about this diamond ring alternative, and why should you prefer this over the diamond stone?
The introduction of the moissanite gemstone is pretty much new in the market. The company Charles and Colvard introduced it as jewelry in 1998. Ever since that time, the said gemstone has been considered one of the most popular diamond alternatives with properties that come close to the most complex rock in the world. Even jewelers often have difficulty telling these two apart, except when they resort to a more advanced, intense testing of the two stones. Diamond has a firmness of 10 on the Mohs Scale, while moissanite is 9.5.
Unlike diamond, this stone is developed in a laboratory with processes that has a lesser negative to the environment. Couples on a budget will get a great deal if they go for the moissanite engagement ring. Considering that it's more accessible and involves less cruel labor, it also costs almost one-tenth of the price of a natural diamond without looking so far-fetched from the original one. How cool is that? If you want a pretty engagement ring without burning a hole through your pockets, go for moissanite bridal rings. These moissanite engagement rings come in different settings, the most popular of which is the stone set in rose gold. This stone has become exceptionally popular, even exceeding the sales of diamond engagement rings. If you want a diamond-like quality without the "skyrocket price," you'll give this fancy M-stone a GO. Pop the question, and seal the deal by getting a massive discount from going for moissanite!
So, really? Aside from the trendy blue, is there another kind that has been booming in the market lately? There is, and we can call it white sapphire. By its name alone, we can predict this is a transparent gemstone, and clear gems often come perfectly as diamond alternatives. Although not as sparkly and divine-looking as the diamond, this is a perfect alternative for someone who is into the clear gem engagement ring trend but is hesitant to go for the total price of diamonds. Now, let us learn more about white sapphire and why it is one of the top choices if you're short on the budget for a diamond sparkle.
White sapphire vs. diamond, what is the difference? White sapphires are completely colorless gemstones. The sapphire is one of the gems that feature a lot of colors. The sapphire receives its color from the natural elements found on the earth's surface before they are unearthed from the surface. The white sapphire is a rare gemstone because these gems have remained untouched by the earth's elements, thus retaining its clear, crystal-like color. This gemstone is a durable choice for an engagement ring like a diamond.
However, slight differences are present between the diamond and the white sapphire. Although it is a beautiful alternative to the diamond, the sapphire can sometimes appear dull, especially if exposed to elements, and remains uncleaned after a long period. It also has a milky or cloudy feature. This alternative is perfect for a bride-to-be with a penchant for simple, subtle engagement rings. The moissanite is ideal if she wants a more noticeable ring because it always calls for attention.
Among all the sapphire gems, the most affordable is the white sapphire. However, if you desire a gemstone that still sparkles even after quite some time, you must commit to frequent maintenance if you decide to go for a white sapphire. Although, at first, they have the same look, diamonds and sapphires differ in the long run. Diamonds tend to retain their clarity, while white sapphires tend to cloud. If you are a fan of jewelry maintenance, there is no problem with going for the white sapphire. People are going crazy for this gemstone, too.
Formerly, white topaz gemstones come out of the mines colorless, dull, and often include a lot of inclusions and imperfections. It takes a lot of processes to come up with a clear, dazzling, white topaz engagement ring. After all these processes, the white topaz stone is still considered the purest form of topaz. Unlike diamonds, although topaz can be cut in different facets, it doesn't feature many sparkles comparable to diamonds. One thing that will make you fall in love more with white topaz is that it has the luster of a diamond.
It is known as a diamond alternative that you can sink your teeth into when you go for a clear, sparkly engagement ring. This alternative is called white topaz. This precious gemstone is one of nature's greatest gifts to engagement ring seekers. This looks precious with a rose gold setting or a vintage-size band. A white topaz engagement ring looks perfect for brides that have a thing for vintage vibes. Not a fan of synthetic, laboratory-made rings? This natural gemstone, which costs cheap, is a perfect choice. Read more for reasons why you should go for this ring!
So, are you concerned with your chosen diamond alternative's sparkle and shine value? Innate in every gemstone is a refractive index; it can bounce off light and produce a beautiful glitter and sparkle. 2.42 is the refractive index of a diamond, while white topaz has several 1.64. Although the diamond is more brilliant, the white topaz isn't ranked last regarding brilliance and sparkle. Regarding hardness, the topaz has a Mohs scale rating of 8, a dazzling alternative for an expensive diamond engagement ring.
If you're starting as a married couple and want to settle for a simple ring first and only invest in a more expensive ring in the future, you can consider this topaz ring as a starter engagement ring. There are a lot of white topaz engagement rings available in the market that you can choose from. You'll surely love the various shapes, sizes, and settings this is available. If you're lucky, you can find a topaz ring resembling a diamond ring. You don't need to venture for an expensive ring to have your sparkle; these diamond alternatives will do.
View All White Topaz Rings
A diamond ring is precious, but if you are short of budget, there's nothing wrong with settling for diamond ring alternatives. These diamond alternative for engagement rings is a great way to start your romantic love story. They're beautiful, durable, and meant to last a lifetime. If you're looking for an exceptional diamond alternative, check out IceCarats.com's collection of sapphires and topaz. We offer high-quality gems without the high price. Don't sit there waiting. Keep sparkling, darling.