Nothing is as daunting as the choice between yellow moissanite vs yellow diamond. Both are beautiful choices for Engagement Rings, and both have pros and cons. Let's look at each to see which is your best choice.
What Is Yellow Moissanite?
Yellow moissanite is a stone in the moissanite family. Moissanite is a silicon carbide mineral first discovered in 1893 by Henri Moissan. You will rarly find natural moissanite as they are mostly present in meteorites.
So mostly jewelars create moissanites in labs. And the process to create yellow moissanites is same as for the processoto create ther colors of moissanites.
- First, they place pure silicon carbide powder in a furnace that gets extreme heat of about 2,700 degrees Celsius.
- Next, they cool and cut it into the desired shapes.
- The final product is a beautiful, sparkly gemstone with exceptional hardness and durability.
What Is A Yellow Diamond?
Diamonds are enhanced during treatment to form yellow diamonds also canary diamonds or cape diamonds. Most yellow diamonds on the market today are natural diamonds that have been enhanced with heat treatment and irradiation.
A few yellow diamonds are irradiated from the start, meaning they're artificially colored. It's important to note that all color-treated diamonds, including yellow diamonds, require special care to maintain their beauty.
Battle Of The Jewelry: Yellow Moissanite Vs Yellow Diamond
Now that we know a little about each stone let's compare them side-by-side to see how they stack up against one another.
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Appearance: At First Glance, It Isn't Easy To Distinguish
At first glance, it cannot be easy to distinguish between a yellow moissanite and a yellow diamond. They are both beautiful stones that sparkle brightly. However, upon closer inspection, there are some differences.
- Moissanite has a higher refractive index than diamonds, meaning they sparkle more because they reflect more light.
- They also have a different dispersion than diamonds, meaning they scatter light differently and create a "fire" effect that is unique to moissanite.
So, if you're looking for a stone that will stand out, moissanite is the way to go.
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Hardness: When It Comes To Hardness, Diamonds Are The Clear Winner.
Diamonds rate at ten on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, meaning they are highly durable and can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
Moissanites, on the other hand, are at 8.5-9 on the Mohs Scale. So, buy diamonds if you're looking for a stone that will last a lifetime (and then some).
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Carat Weight:
Yellow diamonds are typically larger than yellow moissanite since they're more expensive per carat. However, both stones are available in a wide range of sizes to suit any budget or preference.
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Clarity:
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing between yellow moissanite and yellow diamond is clarity. Diamonds are graded on a scale from D (no inclusions or blemishes) to I3 (visible inclusions and blemishes). Most diamonds fall into the SI (slightly included) or I (included) categories.
Yellow moissanite, on the other hand, is Eye Clean, meaning that inclusions and blemishes are not visible to the naked eye. So, yellow moissanite is the way to go if you're looking for a stone with great clarity.
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Cost: This Is Where Things Get Interesting.
Yellow diamonds are scarce, so they can be quite expensive. On the other hand, yellow moissanite is a lab-created stone that mimics the look of diamonds but doesn't come with a high price tag. So, if you're looking for a beautiful stone on a budget, yellow moissanite is the way to go.
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Durability:
While both stones are very durable, diamond is more durable than moissanite thanks to its higher hardness rating. However, both stones are suitable for everyday wear and tear and withstand years of use without showing signs of wear.
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Cut
A diamond's cut refers to its proportions, symmetry, and polish. In other words, how well the stone has been cut and shaped by a jeweler. The better the cut, the more spark a diamond will have.
However, moissanite cuts are not as precise as diamonds. So diamonds have more fire while mossanites glow more.
Moissanite can be cut into almost any shape without sacrificing sparkle. Do you know what's best from 4 prong and 6 prong!
Are Yellow Diamonds Natural?
Chances are, if you're reading this, you're already familiar with the 4 C's of diamonds. Now let’s evaluate if yellow diamonds are natural!
The Formation Process Of Yellow Diamonds
Yellow diamonds are created deep within the earth under extreme heat and pressure conditions. They are a carbonado diamond type, meaning they have a higher nitrogen concentration than other types of diamonds.
This creates a unique atomic structure that makes yellow diamonds one of the hardest substances on earth. In terms of their actual color, yellow diamonds get their hue from trace amounts of nitrogen impurities in their structure. The more nitrogen impurities there are, the more intense the yellow color will be.
Natural Vs. Synthetic Yellow Diamonds
Now that we know how yellow diamonds are formed, you might wonder whether they are natural. In short, the answer is yes! All diamonds are natural!
However, some diamonds undergo treatment after being mined to enhance their color or clarity. These treated diamonds are still considered natural because they have not been created in a laboratory – only enhanced. Also look at white gold vs yellow gold engagement ring and bezel ring settings!
