Another thing to consider is whether there's any other jewelry you'll want in the future that doesn't have a moissanite "equivalent." I recently made a big (for me) purchase of a Tiffany diamond flower pendant. The design is really unique (I spent months examining every single diamond/diamond-equivalent flower pendant I could find), and so it was really that or nothing for me. Studs aren't like that; if you want the "look," you have choices.
Moissanite or Diamond studs
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Another thing to consider is whether there's any other jewelry you'll want in the future that doesn't have a moissanite "equivalent." I recently made a big (for me) purchase of a Tiffany diamond flower pendant. The design is really unique (I spent months examining every single diamond/diamond-equivalent flower pendant I could find), and so it was really that or nothing for me. Studs aren't like that; if you want the "look," you have choices.
Did you look at Good Old Gold or call them? I have no idea what it is called but they take a diamond with a low color and shoot something in it to make it a better color. I do not even know if I explained the process correctly. But, the price is less and it is still a real diamond.
Thanks Staceyjan. However will not work for me since I am in Asia and the customs will create issues with high value items.
here are some other thoughts, since i am also looking at purchasing a pair of diamond studs right now:
1) if the reason you are thinking of moissanite is because you are wanting to get something NOW rather than later, you could always get a smaller pair of diamond studs with plans to upgrade later. a lot of vendors have incredible upgrade policies that mean you will not lose 50% of your investment right away, as you note (for example, blue nile, james allen, and whiteflash all have great policies for trading in. i would guess that good old gold would as well.) you didn't say how big your current studs are and the photo is enormous so it's hard to tell - so if they are already over 1ctw it may not be worth doing a 1.25 as a halfway point.
2) if you feel that you would love the moissanite just as much, is there anything else on your wish list that you could use the saved-up money for? that way you could get the moissanite studs and maybe also another piece and feel like you got more out of the deal than just saved $.
1) if the reason you are thinking of moissanite is because you are wanting to get something NOW rather than later, you could always get a smaller pair of diamond studs with plans to upgrade later. a lot of vendors have incredible upgrade policies that mean you will not lose 50% of your investment right away, as you note (for example, blue nile, james allen, and whiteflash all have great policies for trading in. i would guess that good old gold would as well.) you didn't say how big your current studs are and the photo is enormous so it's hard to tell - so if they are already over 1ctw it may not be worth doing a 1.25 as a halfway point.
2) if you feel that you would love the moissanite just as much, is there anything else on your wish list that you could use the saved-up money for? that way you could get the moissanite studs and maybe also another piece and feel like you got more out of the deal than just saved $.
I would actually pick moissanite. Moissanite has more fire than diamonds, which helps because you want earrings which unlike a ring on your hand is often obscured by hair or whatever and doesn't catch as much light. I know moissanite is softer than diamonds which could be a long term issue, but again you're choosing earrings not a ring that might get knocked around so moissanite seems like a good choice here.
Thank you luckykit. My present studs are 0.46cttw. I will not be purchasing anything this year, for the moissanite probably sometime next year, or if I go the diamond route then after 3-4years probably. Not jewelry per se but I have a lot of travel in my wish list for the next 5 years.
I'd like to add my experience with this. I personally wish I had saved up for diamond studs. I was impatient and wanted to get something immediately and it didn't last. I realized this past year that had I simply saved up (while it seemed like a long time then, but it wasn't) I would be wearing them now! I mean...you should get what you want but I am partial to diamonds simply because they last forever...literally forever...I am wearing small diamonds from my husbands great-great-great grandmother that is as white and sparkly as they were originally and they travelled continents.
Thanks Lana. I also love my little diamond studs. My concern is whether or not I will regret getting the diamonds on account of the opportunity cost. The money can be better utilized for a car / vacations etc which both myself and DH can enjoy. But then again I have wanted diamond studs from like forever. But then again I didn't discover moissanite at that stage. I don't know I am really confused. I will start to save up the money I guess, and once I have the money will decide whether to go for the studs or use it for something else.
Depending on size, I'd probably get the moissanite, unless you want really big studs... or jewelry to hand down.
Moissanite has a higher refractive index than a diamond so small studs will still sparkle. And honestly from a distance or even someone sitting across from you will not be able to tell the difference. A woman in my office had multiple piercings: diamonds in one, simulant in another (can't recall moissanite or cz...). When asked which we thought were real we ALL picked the wrong ones and we were looking closely!
I lose studs quite frequently so to invest heavily in studs for me wouldn't be wise... I have countless mismatched studs & have saved many from the bathroom floor since I usually wear them in the shower, sleeping, etc. I'm just not super careful. So it depends on your lifestyle too.
Diamonds DO last forever... so for an engagement ring or the like I would definitely say diamond but for studs I say whatever puts a smile on your face when you see the sparkle in the mirror
Moissanite has a higher refractive index than a diamond so small studs will still sparkle. And honestly from a distance or even someone sitting across from you will not be able to tell the difference. A woman in my office had multiple piercings: diamonds in one, simulant in another (can't recall moissanite or cz...). When asked which we thought were real we ALL picked the wrong ones and we were looking closely!
I lose studs quite frequently so to invest heavily in studs for me wouldn't be wise... I have countless mismatched studs & have saved many from the bathroom floor since I usually wear them in the shower, sleeping, etc. I'm just not super careful. So it depends on your lifestyle too.
Diamonds DO last forever... so for an engagement ring or the like I would definitely say diamond but for studs I say whatever puts a smile on your face when you see the sparkle in the mirror
I have moissanite studs set in platinum and I don't regret them one bit. I originally bought them for traveling in the "next size up" from my diamond studs but I can't tell you the last time I reached for the diamonds instead of the moissanite. I've compared them to the side stones (same size, also platinum) in my e-ring and can tell little difference and only under circumstances when I'm trying to find differences. It did take two tries, as the first pair had a color that was a bit "off" under certain light. (Not sure how else to describe it.) They cost several hundred dollars ($600 or so), which isn't cheap, but there is a peace of mind that comes from not having to worry about losing one in the swimming pool either. I purchased them several years ago, and I think the technology has improved since then.
I recently purchased a moissanite solitaire pendant in rose gold from the F1 line and can tell absolutely no difference between that and my diamonds. Very clean and clear and sparkles like crazy. Absolutely the right choice for me.
I recently purchased a moissanite solitaire pendant in rose gold from the F1 line and can tell absolutely no difference between that and my diamonds. Very clean and clear and sparkles like crazy. Absolutely the right choice for me.
Thanks kbell and kunie. I love moissanite for the stone it is and the rainbow sparkles. I also absolutely love my diamond studs, and they are my go to earrings any day. As of now I think I am leaning towards the moissy studs since they will allow me the sparkle and size at a lower cost, and the money saved can be used for a nice vacation
For earrings, I would definitely pick the moissanite. I have seen it many times already, and there is nothing wrong with moissanite. I wouldn't be afraid of losing one, so much. And I always lose ONE earring! The look is the same, basically, I don't think I would like if anyone came close enough to me to scrutinize exactly what they were. I would save my money for a diamond pendant or a ring instead.