How much do engagement rings cost anyway?

Historically, engagement rings are a symbol of love and bonding in a relationship, the next step to a lifelong commitment of marriage. For many couples, they are also a huge investment. A leading London based Jeweller surveyed over 2300 people to find out a series of truths about the costs of engagement rings. This included how much people actually spend, how much they think they should be spending and the regions that spend the most. They also took into consideration if age or gender plays a part in how much you think you should be spending on a ring. The report found people on average spend a staggering £1865 on an engagement ring in the UK.

Budget-Friendly engagement rings

Marilyn Monroe famously sang about diamonds being a girl’s best friend but is this still true in today’s modern world?

Whilst diamond engagement rings haven’t lost their sparkle, eco-responsible and budget-conscious couples are opting for an alternative, Moissanite stone, which is very similar in appearance to a diamond. Moissanite comes from silicon carbide and is one of the hardest known substances, ranked just below the traditional diamond. Moissanite is a lot less costly than a diamond, making it a great budget-friendly option for newly engaged couples, especially if they are trying to buy their first home together.

What is Moissanite?

The original discovery of Moissanite was made in 1893 by scientist Henri Moissan, in a meteor crater. Moissan actually thought the sparkling crystals he found were diamonds. Naturally occurring Moissanite is extremely rare. Because of this, the majority of the moissanite jewellery on the market is grown in a laboratory. It can take 2-3 months to create a single Moissanite stone in a lab.

Moissanite engagement rings have become ever more popular in recent years with newly engaged couples steering away from the traditional diamond rings and opting for Moissanite engagement rings for their sparkle and clarity, not to mention the cost. You don’t have to sacrifice the colour, clarity, or size of the gemstone due to the price tag so, if big and bling is your thing but a heaving bank balance is not, Moissanite is the stone for you!

An alternative and eco-friendly engagement ring

​​​Moissanite stones can be set in any shape engagement ring from the classic single solitaire engagement ring to the more elaborate designs like these beautiful rings by Infinity Diamond Jewellery.

If you are looking for the wow factor when you are showing off your new engagement ring then choosing a Moissanite stone as an alternative to a diamond is the definitive choice, especially for ecologically minded couples who are concerned about how mining can affect the environment.

Moissanites stones have a different kind of brilliance from that of a diamond. Their faceted pattern creates rainbow-like flashes creating a “disco ball” effect, especially in sunlight. The refractive index of a Moissanite is between 2.65 – 2.69, which is higher than a diamond.

What are the similarities between Moissanite and Diamonds?

Whilst Moissanites are generally labelled as “colourless”, the gems can still project a yellow or greyish hue in certain lights, much like the traditional diamond. Diamonds are renowned for being the hardest and most durable of precious stones, but the Moissanite comes a very close second. The hardness and durability of gemstones are measured on the Mohs Scale which evaluates a gem’s ability to withstand surface scratching. On the Mohs scale, Moissanite gemstones are a 9.25 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness as opposed to diamonds which are a 10, so Moissanites are more than suitable for everyday wear and perfect as an engagement ring gemstone.

Unlike some other gemstones, whether precious or semi-precious, Moissanite does not lose its iridescent sparkle over time. Moissanite gemstones do not lose their clarity or colour so the appearance of the stone won’t change through the years. The only common elements that may inhibit a ring’s sparkle until it is cleaned are everyday dirt and grime. Damaging the surface of Moissanite can of course inhibit sparkle, as it would for any gemstone.

Moissanite engagement rings are a beautiful, sparkly statement piece of jewellery the perfect choice for couples on a budget with an eco-friendly heart!

Visit Infinity Diamond Jewellery for a vast range of beautiful designs!