UK moissanite engagement ring?

[emmaj987]

Hi all, my otherhalf popped the question over christmas i'm so excited! He used a cheap placeholder ring as he knew i wanted to choose a ring together.

We've spent days out shopping looking at styles and cuts, sizes, (the 4cs) and i feel we've found the perfect ring.

Now the hard part, a friend recommended i look into a moissanite ring... this is the first i've heard about moissanite and i'm really torn what to do! Has anyone here bought a moissanite ring before in the UK? Its such a huge cost saving and would really help as we can put this towards our dream wedding.

I'm absolutely fine buying a moissanite over a diamond, i've had friends buy alternative engagement rings and as long as it represents our love for one another thats fine.

My main concern is if it will stand the test of time and the ring is clearly hallmarked in the UK, i've done some research and most moissanite suppliers are based in the US and manufacture their rings in China, the metal is not UK hallmarked so you'll never be sure if you get what you're paying for.

From research so far Charles & Colvard, Forever One appears to be the moissanite stone of choice?

If anyone can offer any advice, it would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Emma

[FizzmasXx]

I have never heard of this very interesting! X

[Fluffycloudland77]

caratlondon.com/bridal-8/engagements-rings/maverick-solitaire-in-white-gold

Something like this?.

[Writersblock2]

The Wedding Bee forum has loads of info on this stone, if you want to do some more research. I think as long as you buy from a reputable source, there’s nothing wrong with it.
If money is the issue, check out antique rings (non-moissy!) - you’ll always get more bang for your buck.

[lucy101101]

I think they look great - I didn't have a traditional engagement ring - it is actually a cocktail ring! However, I had to choose from a specific jeweller and would have preferred to buy an antique ring. I will buy a great deco ring for an anniversary at some point!

[Whiterabbitears]

I agree with choosing antique, better value and probably an individual design if made years ago. I think if not then I would pick a cheaper but natural stone, that will be more enduring. I wouldn't be sure if moissanite would last a lifetime or still look good. If you want a clear stone what about a white topaz or clear quartz? If you don't mind colour then amethyst or garnet or coloured topaz might be nice. A lot cheaper than a diamond ring but still pretty IMO.

[tissuesosoft]

Very do some beautiful moissanite rings

[TheFaerieQueene]

I’m sure someone started a thread linking to this retailer a month or so ago

[tissuesosoft]

All made in the U.K too

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Is "Carat" all CZ ?
I'm sure there's a difference between Cubc Zirconium and Moissanite ( IIRC Moissanite is a natural stone whereas CZ is lab grown)


I have lots of Diamonique ( I know you all love QVC ) , I don't wear rings day-to-day but my earrings stay in for ages , sleep, shower everything. Never lost a stone in mine.

[Orangesox]

I have a moissanite engagement ring and pendant both of which I wear on a daily basis. Both were purchased from
Moissanite.co.uk who are based in Birmingham Jewllery Quarter.

Both seem to have withstood daily wear by an accident prone bull in a china shop

As a side note, the white gold is excellent (hallmarked) quality, and hasn’t yellowed yet despite my high street jewler wedding ring looking yellow on the back of the band within 1 year!

[holocenic]

I have a moissanite engagement ring and it's so, so sparkly, and allowed us to get a much higher carat value of gold than if we'd gone with a diamond. Bought off Etsy from a London independent jeweller, made to order with a certified Charles & Colvard stone. Lots of people think it's a diamond, but I didn't want a diamond because of how many come from conflict zones/illegal activities.

[IWannaSeeHowItEnds]

I read somewhere that Moissonite is practically as hard as diamond and is more sparkly. Iirc there is one cut that it doesn't lend itself too (the one that pippa middleton had for her engagement ring), but is otherwise a really good choice. It is not the same as cubic zirconia.
If cost is an issue, you could look at white sapphires or lab grown diamonds.

I have become massively disillusioned with diamonds in recent times. Was looking in high street jewellers at the weekend and lots of diamond rings are tiny, not very sparkly, yet stil ££££!

If I was looking to buy an engagement ring now, I'd concentrate on buying a good metal - either platinum/palladium or 18c rose gold (not 9c and not white gold because it constantly needs re rhodium plating ) and would go for moisdonite or lab grown stone.

[hollyisalovelyname]

What's the difference between moisannite and cubic zirconia rings ?

[tissuesosoft]

holly this site explains it very well- www.moissaniteco.com/moissanite_vs_cubic_zirconia.html

[emmaj987]

Wowza - thanks so much for everyones input!

Fluffycloudland77 - the carat ring looks lovey but i don't want to go down the cubic zirconia route, they don't seem to have the same durability from what i've read. Ie, they will not last as long.

Whiterabbitears - i never considered a white topaz, i'll have a look.

tissuesosoft - I've looked at Very, but their descriptions and images aren't very good. They also don't state what sort of moissanite they use and have bad reviews, the only oval cut ring i can find is below and looks terrible. Thanks for the heads up though.

www.very.co.uk/moissanite-moissanite-9ct-gold-110ct-oval-center-cluster-ring/1600213299.prd?_requestid=133303&Ntt=moissanite%20oval#BVRRContainer

Orangesox - i did come across moissanite uk, but they don't stock forever one which is the premium moissanite brand charles and colvard manufacture. I did send them an email before christmas but i've had no response yet.

IWannaSeeHowItEnds - this has become apparent when we've visited jewellery shops recently.

The only other UK site i've found is Lily Arkwright so far, they state free delivery and returns and all rings are UK hallmarked, they also only sell charles and colvards forever one moissanite. Has anyone bought from them? I really like the oval halo in white gold.

lilyarkwright.com/products/rosa-oval-cut-forever-one-moissanite-halo-engagement-ring?variant=2544430252064

My only other option would be to go via an american retailer, but i would have to pay import tax and then pay for a UK hallmark.

I'll keep looking, Thanks so much for everyones advice.

Emma

[isitmyturnyet]

Not on the High Street sell some beautiful ones. Some say hallmarked and made in the UK

www.notonthehighstreet.com/search?utf8=✓&term=moissanite&filter[category_id]=15000

[emmaj987]

thanks, i've not looked there yet, happy new year ladies

[londonvisitor]

So Moissinite is a man made 'diamond' ?

[emmaj987]

Not on the high street have a nice oval ring, its really expensive compared to the Lily Arkwright one and only forever brilliant.

I've emailed Lily Arkwright to see if they have a store as it would be great to see the rings in person.

[emmaj987]

Londonvisitor - actual moissanite is a natural occurring stone which properties are really similar to diamonds, these only occur in really small stones though and are extremely rare, more rare than diamonds.

99.9% of moissanite is man made in labs, i've spent all morning reading and the quality varies massively. The only real reputable manufacture appears to be Charles & Colvard who produce their moissanite in the USA, they sell three types of moissanite, forever classic, forever brilliant & forever one.

Forever classic is to be discontinued in the near future and forever one is the premium product which is equivalent to a diamond D,E,F colour, cut and clarity.

The more rings i look at the more i can't make my mind up which style i want!

[hollyisalovelyname]

OP does Moissanite hold its value?

[emmaj987]

Holly - i'm not really sure to be honest.

I think the charles and colvard pieces are likely to hold their value, its hard to know about the non branded stones.

[QuimJongUn]

Have a look at Look Again. They have loads of Moissanite rings in all cuts and they're all Charles & Colvard (they come with a C&C certificate of authenticity and all the paperwork). Sign up for a LA account and they have regular 20% off codes, plus you can pay in instalments if you like. Makes the rings very affordable!

Btw I have moissanite that's ten years old and it's just as beautiful now as it was when it was new, even after almost daily wear. Absolutely no regrets.

Congratulations OP, btw!

[QuimJongUn]

Here's an oval cut

Also comes in white gold

[QuimJongUn]

And code U8AP gives you 25% off your first order until 28 January