Natural Diamonds - A Beautiful Lie

This article was inspired by the fact that my friend Stephen from California got engaged to his fiancée, and according to tradition, he needed a ring. In the months leading up to the engagement, natural diamonds were his first choice. He also consulted extensively with me-his professional friend about choosing diamonds and the diamond industry. However, after learning about them, he developed a contrasting attitude towards diamonds.

The main reason for his change in perception is that he realized two simple facts:

(1) Diamond marketing itself is an incredible scam.

(2) The lesser-known moissanite actually surpasses diamonds in terms of cut, color, clarity, fire, and price.

This is the conclusion he drew from the available information. The purpose of this article is mainly to compare the advantages and disadvantages of diamonds and moissanites for buyers who are considering purchasing high-priced diamonds, particularly wedding rings for newlyweds.

Perhaps this article can dissuade ordinary consumers from feeling compelled to spend thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars on natural diamond rings. If you are someone in the diamond jewelry industry or someone about to enter the industry, I hope you can find something useful in this article.

What is Moissanite?

Moissanite, also known as silicon carbide, is a synthetic gemstone that was originally found in very small amounts in meteorites. Moissanite shares several similarities with diamonds: they are both colorless and transparent, have a Mohs hardness of up to 9.25 (diamonds have a Mohs hardness of 10), and possess a high refractive index of 2.65 (compared to a diamond's 2.41). When moissanite is polished, it becomes a sparkling gemstone that is virtually indistinguishable from a diamond in appearance.

Take a look at this table to see how moissanite compares to diamonds and other gemstones

Above: Moissanite (left) and diamond (right) fire test, clearly showing that Moissanite exhibits superior fire compared to diamonds.

The primary distinction between moissanite and natural diamonds lies in their production, as moissanite can be created in a laboratory, resulting in significantly lower prices compared to natural diamonds.

When comparing the market prices of moissanite and diamonds, the actual price difference may be even more pronounced, especially considering that Forever One Moissanite is already renowned as a top-tier product in the moissanite market.

Blue Nile (as of this writing):

1 carat natural diamond with Good cut, G color, and VS2 clarity, accompanied by a GIA certificate.

Forever One Moissanite (as of this writing):

1 carat Moissanite with a 3EX cut, DEW color (Diamond Equivalent Weight), and FL (Flawless) clarity.

1. The price of diamonds has always been controlled by the De Beers Group, resulting in inflated prices.
2. People's understanding of diamonds is often influenced by diamond marketing, which began in 1938 with the creation of the slogan "Diamonds are forever." This marketing campaign aimed to establish diamonds as rare and expensive, leading to the perception that diamonds are highly valuable. As a result, even smaller carat diamonds have experienced significant price increases over time.
3. Natural diamonds available to the general public are not easily liquidated assets and should not be considered as reliable "investment" products. To validate this, try selling a second-hand diamond ring on platforms like eBay. It becomes apparent that the resale value of diamonds is often significantly discounted, making it challenging to realize substantial returns. The limited market and difficulty in selling diamonds quickly further diminish their investment appeal.
4. The sourcing of natural diamonds is associated with the funding of wars, genocide, and terrorism. Conflict diamonds, also known as blood diamonds or war diamonds, predominantly come from war zones where they are mined, sold, and traded. The profits from these conflict diamonds are often utilized by warlords in countries like Angola, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and others, perpetuating violence and harm to innocent civilians.
5. A diamond is a beautiful stone, but its value and cost may not align with the significance of the occasion. According to an investigative report from CNBC (https://www.cnbc.com/select/how-much-to-spend-on-engagement-ring/), the average cost of an engagement ring in a 2019 survey by The Knot was around $5,900. However, only a minority of respondents (approximately 10%) spent less than $1,000. Consider whether it is wise to invest in a stone that can depreciate by more than 50% after changing hands. Is it truly worth it? Increasingly, more people are recognizing this issue. The same report mentioned a 2020 study where newlyweds reported spending an average of $3,756 on engagement rings, which is more than $2,000 less than the 2019 average. In addition, the rise of man-made diamonds has prompted many individuals to realize the advantages of alternative gemstones, leading to a growing awareness and rejection of traditional diamond marketing.
6. People often place excessive emphasis on diamond parameters and the advertised 4C standards set by merchants. However, it's important to remember that our eyes can only perceive so much. Diamonds with the same ratio and weight will appear identical to the naked eye, regardless of slight variations in clarity. We all know, a diamond may have a lower I color grade, but it is typically not sold by most diamond merchants. The extensive parameters and grading systems employed by merchants serve to add value to the diamond. Ultimately, a diamond is simply a beautiful stone. Is it truly worth the excessive attention placed on these specifications?
7. Purchasing a diamond can mean sacrificing opportunities to enhance one's quality of life. Some argue that buying a diamond may limit the chance for personal growth and improvement. Consider the cost of a natural diamond over 3 carats, which can exceed $40,000. According to Forbes' survey of the average annual salary in the United States in 2023 (https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/average-salary-by-age/#average_salary_by_age_in_the_s_section), this amount can represent a significant portion of many people's yearly income. Such an expenditure can have a considerable impact on the quality of life for newly married couples. Instead, the same amount of money could be used to buy a car, invest in furniture, or contribute to a down payment on a property in a desirable location. Even a diamond ring priced at $5,000-$7,500 could fund an unforgettable honeymoon experience, creating lasting memories for the couple. Investing in any of these alternatives may offer more meaningful outcomes than acquiring a small, colorless carbon stone.
8. It is worth noting that certain low-priced "natural" diamonds undergo artificial treatments during the later stages. When diamonds are initially unearthed, they often contain impurities and lack the desired level of transparency. Consequently, various artificial cleaning methods have been developed, such as laser treatments to remove diamond inclusions, followed by re-crystallization. Without a profound understanding of the relevant knowledge and the assistance of certification agencies like the GIA, even diamonds with noticeable flaws may still display information suggesting they are natural. As a result, distinguishing between artificially processed diamonds and their natural counterparts can be challenging.

Why are moissanites a better choice than natural diamonds, especially for wedding rings?

1. Engagement or wedding rings hold sentimental value, rather than serving as assets or investments. Their primary purposes are to look beautiful and symbolize the happiness of love. Therefore, it is essential to achieve the best results with the lowest cost and seek rings with excellent cost performance. Moissanite diamonds surpass diamonds in terms of price and fire, while offering comparable durability. This makes moissanite diamonds a much more cost-effective choice.
2. Most moissanite diamonds are flawlessly perfect. Since moissanite diamonds are created in a controlled laboratory environment, their quality can be easily regulated, and any defective products can be identified and discarded. In contrast, diamonds are mined from deep deposits, and it is impossible to discard them when flaws are discovered. This means that the moissanite diamonds you purchase will likely be of better quality than expensive diamonds.
3. Opting for moissanite allows for cost savings that can be redirected towards activities you enjoy. Whether it's attending a concert, upgrading your mobile phone, enrolling in a fitness or yoga class, moissanite's affordability provides you with more choices. You no longer have to worry about the high cost of purchasing a diamond ring, and your overall quality of life can improve significantly.
4. Moissanite closely resembles the appearance of diamonds. When I showed moissanite to my friends, they mistook it for a diamond without any doubt，and the brilliance and fire of moissanite are more exceptional than diamond。
5. By choosing moissanite, you can rest assured that your hard-earned money is not contributing to the funding of warlords in Africa or causing nightmares of innocent lives affected by conflict.
6. With moissanite, you can acquire exquisite and luxurious jewelry designs at a lower cost. Customized diamond styles are known for their exorbitant prices, but with moissanite, such customization becomes attainable. Designing a diamond ring that suits your wife's personality and style will significantly enhance your relationship while still staying within your budget.
7. Moissanite's hardness is second only to that of diamonds, making it durable enough to withstand daily wear and tear. As a wedding ring, one of its purposes is to symbolize your married status to those around you. Even in the unfortunate event of damage or loss of luster, restoring or replacing a Moissanite diamond ring is a straightforward process.

Let Reason Decide Whether You Should Buy Moissanite.

After conducting research this month, Stephen has come to the conclusion that buying Moissanite diamonds is the right decision for him. If you are in the market for a natural diamond ring, it is worthwhile to explore the option of Moissanite diamonds before making a final decision.