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Why Diamonds are the #1 choice for Engagement Rings
Nov 28, 2021
Diamonds
Why Diamonds are the #1 choice for Engagement Rings

 

Since the early 1900s, diamonds have dominated engagement rings as a result of a phenomenally successful marketing campaign by the British company De Beers.

 

De Beers has created many successful slogans throughout decades of targeted marketing, including "Diamonds are forever", an instantly recognizable catchphrase. It wasn't just marketing alone that rocketed them towards success, as diamonds are indeed the finest stones we know. In this article, we will cover all the major diamond alternatives available today and compare their performance to that of real diamonds.

 

WHY DIAMONDS?


"Diamonds are forever" refers to the fact that diamonds are the strongest natural material in existence and will last multiple generations if taken care of. The properties of diamonds, when compared to other stones and gems, are superior in every aspect, including hardness, sparkle, brilliance, etc. Because we've covered diamond properties and composition in previous articles, we'll keep this brief and explain why other stones aren't great options.

Tip: Although diamonds are the strongest natural material in the world, you should still handle them with care. Knocking your ring too hard may damage the diamond girdle, or worse, you may lose the diamond entirely if you damage the setting's safety mechanism as well.

 

WHY NOT MOISSANITES?


Moissanites are not a viable alternative to diamonds because of their low hardness. Diamonds are four times harder than moissanites.

These stones are not white. On average, moissanites have a low colour grade when compared to diamond colour grading. Moissanite appears dark when illuminated by dim lighting because of its brown tint.

Moissanites' sparkles are iridescent in colour. In diamonds, the sparkles are white. As a result of its rainbow-like sparkles, the stone appears like costume jewellery to the eyes.

Moissanites have double refraction. In other words, when looking at a moissanite top-down, one will notice where the facets join. Thus, instead of seeing a single line - the joint - there are now two clearly visible lines.

Why Diamonds are the #1 choice for Engagement Rings

 

WHY NOT WHITE SAPPHIRES?


As opposed to reflecting light, white sapphires let it pass directly through them. When viewed from above, diamonds reflect light like a mirror and are impossible to see through it.


There is much less sparkle in white sapphires than in diamonds. Since sapphires lack light-reflecting properties, they do not sparkle as much as diamonds, another obvious difference between the two that can be seen with the naked eye.
It is impossible to wear white sapphires for long. Despite sapphires' hardness, engagement rings made from them are prone to chipping over time, whereas diamonds are ten times harder than sapphires and don't have this issue.

Tip: White sapphire is the best glass to use in expensive watches because it is transparent and scratch-resistant.


 

WHY NOT CUBIC ZIRCONIA?


Cubic Zirconia has porosity. As a result of hand creams and dirt that penetrate the pores of the stone, the stone's sparkle will fade away after about 10 to 30 uses, making the stone look dull.


In comparison to other stones, cubic zirconia chips and scratches easily. Due to its extremely fragile top, this stone is likely to scratch and become dull over time, not providing long-term enjoyment.

Tip: Cubic Zirconia may appear like diamonds, but they are not as durable as diamonds, so they shouldn't be used for everyday wear.

Tip: Avoid companies that advertise their products as "diamond simulants" or something similar. Essentially, these companies are packaging inferior products, knockoff stones in this case, in a way that makes them appear desirable.


To conclude - diamonds are a much better choice and tick all the right boxes, except for the price, of course. As for this last requirement, we offer lab grown diamonds that are very affordable to ensure your loved one's day is one they will remember forever.