Custom Moissanite Jewelry

(Another great testimonial for moissanite)

Hi Beth,
I just wanted to let you know that I got my ring yesterday and i LOVE
it. I was a little bit wary of the green/grey cast that folks say Moissanite
has, but I haven’t seen it in this stone. Even in a dark room it looks so
brilliant! Your service was great and I really could not be happier. If
people understood how beautiful Moissanite was, I think the diamond industry
would be quaking, unfortunately people are too sucked into the marketing of
a diamond. Also, wanted to let you know I’ve sent my best friend CeCe
Hernandez your way so be super nice to her! Again, thank you SO much. Your
customer service was superior to the other sites I visited and I am truly a
satisfied customer.

Thanks,
A

I stumbled across this and found it pretty amazing. The video shows the industrial use of diamonds as a way to shape and create beautiful pieces of artwork. In most of these cases, moissanite is used, since it possesses almost exactly the same quality as diamonds for a fraction of the price.

To see some of our artwork with moissanite, check out our dedicated moissanite page.

Here’s some of our moissanite artwork (not intended to cut glass unless absolutely necessary)!

Round Pave’ Moissanite Ring

Beautiful hand engraved pave’ diamond or moissanite ring with a round center stone and four rows of pave diamonds weighing approximately .55ct in total. Can accommodate a center stone size of 2ct+ and is shown with a 4ct.

Center Stone Type: Natural Diamond, Clarity Enhanced Diamond, Gemesis Cultured Diamond, Moissanite, Radiance Diamond Simulant

I received my stones last Friday, they are beautiful. I just wanted to say thanks for the great service I experienced with you. I am planning to get more loose stones in the future and I know where to get them! :)
Thank you…V. T.

(above) Gem-cut Moissanite

Moissanite is one of our favorite gems to work with here at Joseph Schubach Jewelers. Not only is moissanite ecologically-friendly, it allows our customers to experience that diamond-rich feeling for a fraction of the price.

What exactly is moissanite?

Mineral moissanite was discovered by Henri Moissan while examining rock samples from a meteor crater located in Canyon Diablo, Arizona, in 1893. At first, he mistakenly identified the crystals as diamonds, but in 1904 he identified the crystals as silicon carbide.

Moissanite is not cubic zirconia. It maintains properties similar and often exceeding those of diamonds:

Moissanite is very hard to differentiate from diamond and can fool many gemologists. It does have many similarities. It is very hard at 9.25 (diamond is 10) and it is highly refractive with an index of refraction of 2.6 – 2.7 (diamond’s IR is slightly lower at 2.42).

So take a stroll through our Moissanite Gallery. Again, we’re particularly proud of the work we’re doing with moissanite. It’s a jewel for the 21st century, in our opinion!

If you want a custom designed moissanite piece, give us a call and an idea. We can make your moissanite dream come true!

(above) One of our favorite pairs of moissanite earrings

Round Earrings With Side Stones

We ran across this great testimonial on moissanite on another blog. It’s so good we had to share it with you on ours. Let us know what you think.

Recently I gave my now fiancée a 4 carat Round Brilliant cut synthetic diamond in a striking 14K gold filigree solitaire ring which she has been showing off regularly. This ring has been examined and studied by friends and family in awe at its perfection. She has also been flaunting  it when we go to dine out, at her job, while at the mall, nightclubs, various special occasions, and many other public places that its in can constantly be under examination. A couple of times she was even stopped walking on the street or in a store by strangers to compliment her on how beautiful it is. An incredible amount of people have had a chance to analyze and dissect it, and each is left astonishment at how beautiful it is. However, still after such examination and seeing how big and beautiful it is, no one has asked if it’s real or fake! (read the entire post here)

The debate continues: when a consumer is informed about the very real ecological and political dangers associated with mined diamonds, will he or she purchase a diamond or choose a diamond alternative?

This recent study shows that slowly but surely, people’s minds are changing:

Paso Robles, Calif.–A new consumer survey conducted by MVI Marketing’s Jewelry Consumer Opinion Council (JCOC) showed that a small but significant percentage of respondents have decided to snub mined diamonds, and an even greater percentage are planning to seek out “created diamond” alternatives.

According to a release from the JCOC, the council conducted a study called “Consumer Perceptions of Created Diamond Alternatives,” which was completed by 1,478 JCOC panel members between the dates of Dec. 26 and Dec. 31, 2009.

The study exposed survey-takers to some brief introductory information about the concerns surrounding diamonds and why those concerns have prompted some consumers to choose created diamond alternatives, including lab-grown diamonds and diamond simulants, instead.

“Mined diamonds are mined from deep in the earth,” a concept introduction provided to survey-takers said. “This has some environmentalists concerned about the destructive nature of mining and the chemicals used. Others are concerned about profits from illicit diamond mining being used to fund the purchase of arms in war-torn countries and contributing towards human suffering. Because of these issues, many people have opted for created diamond alternatives available in fine jewelry instead of mined diamonds.”

The JCOC release said that after learning about issues related to mined diamonds, a majority of respondents have taken actions that indicate they may be buying fewer mined diamonds in the future.

According to the study, 11 percent of those who participated said they have decided not to purchase or request jewelry crafted of mined diamonds.

Eight percent said they won’t give mined diamonds as a gift and 18 percent reported that they have made family or friends aware of the issues.

A total of 16 percent of survey-takers said they seek created diamond alternatives when looking for jewelry.

“Clearly consumers are becoming more aware of the challenges faced in the mining of diamonds,” MVI Chief Executive Officer Mart Hurwitz said in the release. “It is only natural for the consumer to consider man-made alternatives if their concerns about those challenges grow.”

Source: National Jeweler

Moissanite, in our opinion, is a phenomenal product – highly comparable to diamonds – and exceeding in some characteristics. We sell moissanite because we recognize this societal shift and the importance in finding a diamond alternative for people concerned with global issues.

Style 645MR

Classic Tiffany Style Round Moissanite Solitaire

Round Tiffany style solitaire engagement ring with Charles and Colvard created moissanite.

As moissanite climbs the ranks in popularity with those interested in a quality product with an eco-friendly slant, we wonder whether its just an indicator of a troubled economy or a sign that shoppers are developing different preferences at this point in our history.

Here’s an excerpt from JCK Online with CEO Randy McCullough of Charles & Colvard:

There has been a lot of confusion over whether moissanite should be marketed as a diamond substitute or its own product. Where do you stand on that?

Nothing is a substitute for a diamond. I don’t care what anybody says. There is no person in the world that wouldn’t rather own a diamond. If that changes, something is wrong with the world. But not everyone can afford a diamond.

So moissanite is a great alternative. Everyone wants the experience of wearing two carats on their ears. With moissanite, they can do that. It’s an affordable luxury experience.

Here are a few of our top moissanite sellers:

Rose Gold Diamond and Pink Moissanite Ring

Stunning, delicate 14kt rose gold engagement ring set with a 1.0ct (dia equiv) Charles and Colvard created round moissanite color enhanced to spring pink surrounded by 1/3ct t.w. white diamonds. Matching earrings also available.

Style 7064M

Antique Style Filigree Moissanite Bracelet

Antique style filigree bracelet with Charles and Colvard created moissanite. 3/16″ wide and the standard 7″ long.

Available Total Weight: 3.60ct t.w.

The human race is an interesting lot. Even when our collective wallets are becoming slimmer, we still want comfort and luxury. During our two World Wars, this phenemonon was seen. Our country desired excess in the form of entertainment and fashion, as a form of compensation for the harsh realities.

Today, it’s no different. When it comes to jewelry, we still want that special feeling that only sparkly things evoke. It makes us feel rich, even if we may be tightening our purse strings.

Diamond alternatives

Moissanite and Gemesis allow for that luxurious feeling without breaking the bank. In addition, these diamond alternatives are eco-friendly, which is becoming more and more appealing to the average consumer. We want products that are earth-friendly and affordable and high quality.

Here are a few very affordable pieces that we’re proud to showcase:

Style 447MR

Round Moissanite Solitaire Pendant

Four prong solitaire pendant with Charles and Colvard created round moissanite on an 18″ cable chain.

Style 9435M

Martini Style Moissanite Earrings

Martini style three prong earrings with Charles and Colvard created round moissanite.

Style 6506

High Polished Om Pendant

High Polished Om pendant on an 18″ snake chain in 14kt white gold.

Before Moissanite and Gemesis became popular diamond alternative, many people searched furtively for a way to make diamonds that didn’t require all that difficult and messy mining. They wanted diamonds on the easy, basically!

According to ABC Science:

The first successful synthetic diamonds were made in the mid-1950s by the General Electric Company in New York. They began back then with tiny industrial diamonds, and can today make tiny gems – but they are more expensive to make, than to dig the natural ones out of the ground.

Nature makes diamonds some 200-or-so kilometers underground, where the temperature and pressure are high enough. Then a strange geological phenomenon called a Kimberlite Pipe erupts, a little bit like a volcano, towards the surface, carrying diamonds with it. At the surface, the cooled-down Kimberlite pipe is anything from 100 to 1,000 metres across.

Once you have found your Kimberlite, you’re on Easy Street. You just dig into the hard Kimberlite, bring all the rock to the surface, and extract the diamonds. In Kimberley in South Africa, the Big Hole has been dug out to a depth of about one kilometre.

Worldwide, the current annual diamond production is split – the mines give us about 20 tonnes of industrial diamonds and 6 tonnes of gems, while the labs provide about 100 tonnes of synthetic diamonds.

Today, more people are concerned about the ecological damage that diamond mines cause as well as the political implications in fractured countries. Diamond alternatives such as Gemesis, moissanite and Cubic Zirconia are extremely high quality – offering the full diamond experience for a fraction of the price.

Take a look at some of our moissanite offerings, for instance:

Style 8714M

Hand Made Cushion Cut Moissanite Ring With Pave’ Diamonds

Custom made fashion ring featuring a 2.50ct (dia equiv) Charles and Colvard created cushion cut moissanite and 1/3ct t.w. pave’ side diamonds with a bezel set diamond on each end in platinum. This piece is hand made and has hand applied filigree engraving and scroll work on two sides, approximately 5mm wide at the top. Also made to accomodate round, cushion & princess center stones starting at 2.0ct

Metal: Platinum
Stone Size: 2.50ct
Ring Size: 4 – 8
Call For Pricing

Style 6851M

Genuine Yellow Sapphire And Moissanite Ring

Customized and handcrafted version of style 1250M: 6.80ct yellow sapphire center with 1.50ct (3.0ct t.w. dia equiv) moissanite trillions on either side set into 14K white gold.

Metal: 14kt White Gold
Stone size: 6.80ct
Ring size: 4 – 8

As wedding budgets continue to shrink and extraneous gift items become, well, extraneous, moissanite stands out as a viable, politically savvy alternative for jewelry choices as sales for this diamond alternative continue to increase amidst an ailing market.

One of the biggest pros, obviously, is the cost. Not only is moissanite less expensive than a diamond but more durable. It also has more “fire” – a term to describe the radiance and refractive quality of a gem.

Take a look at the example below:

                             Moissanite (on the left) with 2½ times more fire than diamond

Moissanite is also lacking in the stigma of other diamond alternatives. As the diamond mining process is experiencing more public scrutiny because of its political and ecological ramifications, moissanite is becoming a smart, politically correct alternative.

In other words, a moissanite choice isn’t simply based on affordability but consciousness.

Take a look at our vast array of Joseph Schubach Jewelers moissanite products. If you can’t find what you are looking for, we’ll be happy to create it.

At Joseph Schubach Jewelers, we’re more than just jewelers, we’re artists!