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Are you thinking about purchasing a Moissanite engagement ring for your partner, but not completely sure what to look for? Well, it’s your lucky day, because we are moissanite experts and are here to help! Moissanites are becoming the next best thing for couples due to their beauty, affordability, and sustainability.

Below are some of the important things to know when buying a moissanite engagement ring, and also some of the FAQ we receive as a Moissanite jeweller.

1. Is a Moissanite a Real Diamond?

The answer would be, no. A Moissanite is its very own gemstone. It sparkles different, has a different hardness, and a different chemical makeup than a Diamond. With regards to its hardness a Moissanite is a 9.25 on the hardness scale, whereas a diamond is a 10. Another wonderful benefit of moissanite is that it is carbon silicate , which means your Moissanite will repel dirt and oil better than a diamond! A diamond is pure carbon.

In addition, Moissanite is a lab created, meaning it can be cut in any size or shape you want! Natural diamonds are limited to the size and shape the Earth grows them. So, choosing a Moissanite for your engagement ring center stone gives you a ton of flexibility.

2. Are There Different Grades of Moissanite Rings?

This answer is a yes! When Moissanite first came out, technology had only advanced so far as to make yellowish-green stones. We call this “classic” Moissanite, and be careful, because they are still on the market. And then the Moissanite breakthrough year came and in 2015 Charles and Colvard started offering colourless and near colourless Moissanite.

Important Things to Know When Purchasing a Moissanite

Does Moissanite Have Resale Value?

The Classic, yellowish-green Moissanite did not have any resale market, however, well preserved colourless Moissanite are beginning to become more popular on resale sites.

Will You Regret Moissanite if You Didn’t Choose A Diamond?

If you love Moissanite for what it isn’t, which is not a mined diamond and for what it is, conflict free, then no. You will forever love your Moissanite for its shiney exterior, and sustainability.

Is Moissanite Ethical?

Definitely! Moissanite is among the most ethical, sustainable engagement ring choices out there. This is because Moissanite is a man made stone. So, no mining is needed to give you a perfectly brilliant Moissanite.

Will Your Moissanite Last Forever?

Yes, it certainly will. Moissanite is a beautiful gemstone that is very hard and durable.

How Can You Tell a Diamond from a Moissanite?

It’s easy to tell the difference when comparing it with its shine. When trying to tell if someone has a Moissanite ring or a diamond ring, move the ring around and watch its sparkle carefully. Another way to tell is by looking through the stone’s side facets down to the culet and if the culet appears doubled, you do not have a diamond.

This Post was first published on https://ralphjacobs.co.za/all-the-info-about-moissanites/

Your engagement ring is the start of your future with your loved one. An engagement ring is that special ring given to your loved one that is going to marry you. The engagement ring is more of a trend in Western Cultures.

In Western cultures usually a ring is presented as an engagement gift by a partner to their prospective spouse when they propose marriage or directly after a marriage proposal is accepted. It represents a formal agreement to future marriage. 

In some cultures, men and women wear matching rings, and engagement rings may also be used as wedding rings. In Anglo-Saxon countries, the ring is customarily worn on the left-hand ring finger, but customs vary all across the world.

You’d be surprised to learn that neither the engagement nor any other ring is worn during the wedding ceremony, when the wedding ring is put by the groom on the finger of the bride as part of the ceremony, and sometimes by the bride onto the groom’s finger. After the wedding, the engagement ring is usually put back on and is usually worn on the outside of the wedding ring.

Let’s head back to ancient times and the believed origin of the engagement ring. It appears that the ancient Egyptians are sometimes credited with inventing the engagement ring, and early wedding ring dates to the ancient Egyptians, who believed that a circle symbolized eternal love. These early rings were made of braided reeds or other materials and were put on the ring finger, which they believed contained a vein that ran to the heart. Ancient Greeks later adopted this tradition.

During the second century BC, the Roman bride-to-be was given two rings, a gold one which she wore in public, and one made of iron which she wore at home while attending to household duties to ensure the ring doesn’t damage.

It’s only a few years later that gemstones became significantly linked with engagement rings. The first well-documented use of a diamond ring to signify engagement was by the Archduke Maximilian of Austria in the imperial court of Vienna in 1477, when he proposed to Mary of Burgundy. It is during this time that those of higher social class and of significant wealth begun prizing their loved ones with diamond rings.

In the sixteenth century, the gimmel ring design was used for both the engagement and the wedding. Gimmel means “twin” in Latin, and the rings resemble a puzzle. The couple would wear one of the ring pieces during the engagement and put the second ring piece together on their wedding day.

During the seventeenth century the Claddagh ring originated in the Irish fishing town of Claddagh. According to Irish tradition the ring signifies love, loyalty, and friendship. The design consists of a heart, hands, and a crown for loyalty. Claddagh rings are still used today for love and friendship.

Today, most people no longer wear Claddagh rings to show their relationship status, but rather to show their Irish heritage

In 1866 diamonds were first found in South Africa. However, they were not identified as such until 1867. By 1872, the output of the diamond mines exceeded one million carats per year. The discovery of Moissanite also played a big role in various diamond sectors.

Taking a look at the twentieth century and how the trend of engagement rings evolved. In the United States, the popularity of diamond engagement rings declined after World War I, even more so after the onset of the Great Depression. And in 1938, the diamond cartel De Beers began a marketing campaign that would have a major impact on engagement rings.

It is here when people were educated on the 4 C’s of diamonds and an everlasting slogan started to take over the world: “A Diamond is Forever.” Ultimately, the De Beers campaign sought to persuade the consumer that an engagement ring is indispensable, and that a diamond is the only acceptable stone for an engagement ring.

This Post was first published on https://ralphjacobs.co.za/the-history-of-the-engagement-ring/

Are you in the market for a sustainable diamond alternative for your engagement ring? Then this is the perfect place for you. You’re not the only one! There are many couples nowadays that are looking for something other than diamond to signify their bond. There are many reasons why people want to choose an alternative to a diamond, may it be a happy conscience or an even happier wallet.

Read on to see what the newest and best diamond alternatives are in 2021!

An diamond-alternative can mean different things to different people. The premise of this post is to list and give options to couples that want something very similar to a diamond. We will be looking at white-coloured gemstones that can be used instead of a natural mined diamond. These alternatives very closely represent the diamond look, without the mined diamond price.

If you’re looking for something more colourful, than refer to our previous article on coloured gemstones. We analyze gemstones from sapphires to ruby’s and decipher everything you should be on the look-out for and how well the gemstones are rated on the Mohs hardness scale. Really worth the read!

The Best Colourless Diamond Alternatives in 2021

Lab Diamonds

All Over Best Alternative

This is the newest and best version of a diamond alternative, and they are ABSOLUTELY gorgeous. Believe or not, but lab diamonds are actually the same mineral as natural mined diamonds. The only difference is that they were born in a lab instead of the ground.

Besides the fact that Lab Created Diamonds have the exact same chemical makeup as mined diamonds, they also share the exact same qualities. Both lab diamonds and mined diamonds are pure carbon, they sparkle exactly the same, and they have the same 10/10 hardness. What’s even better is that you get all of this for 30-50% of the price!

At the end of the day Lab Created diamonds provide you with the exact same look and feel as genuine mined diamonds, for half the price and you have no guilty conscience as your shiny engagement ring is completely conflict-free. Lab Created Diamonds are the ultimate mined diamond alternative.

Moissanites

Most Sparkly Diamond Alternative

This is a more sparkly alternative to diamonds. It is due to its extreme “dispersion,” that Moissanite sparkles more than diamonds. Another reason to opt for this alternative is its durability – rating at 9.25/10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale it is extremely hard. This means that it will stand up to daily wear. Moissanite will break your bank even less than Lab Created Diamonds. It is only a fraction of the price, making it very affordable.

The bottom line is Moissanite is a great diamond alternative. Those choosing Moissanite should expect sparkle that looks like fireworks.

White Sapphire

Best Natural Diamond Alternative

The white sapphire is a great option for those looking for a natural diamond alternative. It is a 9/10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, which translates to lasting you a lifetime. White Sapphire’s are not only natural, but extremely durable and super affordable! They come in various shapes and sizes.

Another pro to White Sapphires are that they are not treated at all. This means that the white sapphire doesn’t go through any heating processes before being cut.

White Topaz

Most Inexpensive Diamond Alternative

This baby will give you SERIOUS value for your money! Topaz is incredibly inexpensive and it offers you a natural, and durable diamond alternative. White Topaz’s 8/10 hardness on the Mohs Hardness Scale additionally means that it avoids scratching pretty well.

The selling value of a Topaz engagement ring is that you get a HUGE look on your finger for very little money. One thing to be aware of when choosing White Topaz is the possibility of a grey-white sparkle, as compared with diamond’s white and colored sparkle.

This Post was first published on https://ralphjacobs.co.za/the-best-diamond-alternatives-in-2021/

Japan

The Mokume Gane ring is a common Japanese traditional ring, used for engagement and wedding by the bride and groom. Mokume Gane means “wood eye metal.”

Ancient samurai used Mokume Gane materials to decorate their swords. The ring has a stunning swirling design that has been gaining popularity in Western cultures recently.

India

India has a diverse culture and many gods that are worshipped, as a result, many different practices for marriage. However, a tradition that they have long enjoyed is engagement ceremonies and the love of placing rings on each other’s fingers at this occasion.

With so many Moissanite options available, this unique ring can be designed by Ralph Jacobs.

Typically, a man puts a ring on the woman’s right hand, and the woman puts a ring on the man’s left hand. Something we are aware of, of the Indian traditions is to wear toe rings (bichiya), which many people still do so today.

Kenya

Something quite different is worn in Northern Kenya to signify their engagement to one another. The Samburu warriors wear a necklace with decorative beading to signify engagement.

Argentina

In Argentina, couples use a silver band when engaged, then change it for a gold wedding ring at the wedding ceremony.

Jewish Traditions

Jewish traditions vary, but in some cases the fiancé places a ring on the right index finger of his fiancée, and during the wedding ceremony, the ring is moved on the same hand to the ring finger.

This Post was first published on https://ralphjacobs.co.za/engagement-rings-across-different-cultures/

If their breathtaking colours and meaningful symbolism, isn’t enough of a reason to opt for a beautiful gemstone engagement ring, it could be to follow in the foot steps of many famous people who also rock gemstone engagement rings. These include Princess Diana, Jackie Kennedy, Victoria Beckham, Halle Berry, and Princess Eugenie.

Gemstone engagement rings are growing in popularity due to their unique style, large size, and lower cost. However, one should keep in mind that similar to diamonds gemstones have different levels of hardness, and not all gemstones are good engagement ring center stones.

We also have a wide range of coloured Moissanites in the market today. From blue to pink, the options are endless.

It’s crucial to know which gemstones are worth your money and which gemstones may break easily during normal wear. In order to know which gemstone is suitable for you and your lifestyle, you have to know the hardness of a stone, this is calculated through the Mohs Hardness Scale.

At Ralph Jacobs, we completely understand the trends of the seasons, and we will be able to assist with any Engagement Rings that you wan to create with your favorite coloured gemstones.

What is the Mohs Hardness Scale?

This Mohs hardness scale test compares the resistance of a  mineral to being scratched by ten reference minerals known as the Mohs Hardness Scale (see the images below). The test is useful because most specimens of a given mineral are very close to the same hardness. This makes hardness a reliable diagnostic property for most minerals.

Friedrich Mohs, a German mineralogist, developed the scale in 1812. He selected ten minerals of distinctly different hardness that ranged from a very soft mineral (talc) to a very hard mineral (diamond).

Now that you have a better understanding of which stones are more resistant to damaging and scratching, you can decide which one to get based on which gemstone makes for a good center stone in your engagement ring.

What Gemstones Make Good Engagement Ring Center Stones?

Keep reading to find out which gemstones are most durable. Below we review some durable gemstone engagement ring options, in order of hardness:

Emerald Engagement Rings

The emerald is durable, at a 7.5/10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. An emerald stone can be light or dark and comes in many shades, including pure green, yellow-green, and blueish-Green.

If you decide on an emerald for your engagement ring, keep in mind that inclusions which reach the surface of the gem may increase its risk for chipping. Be sure to choose an emerald engagement ring setting that protects any inclusions which may put the ring at risk. Something else to keep in mind is that an emerald is a Type III gemstone, which means it often shows extensive eye-visible inclusions. In other words, don’t expect an Emerald to be flawless

Aquamarine Engagement Rings

This Post was first published on https://ralphjacobs.co.za/gemstones-things-to-avoid-what-to-buy/