Moissanite vs. Asha vs. CZ

[guccimamma]

i love my moissanite earrings, they don't cloud up like cz...they are always clean and sparkly. have had them a couple of years. they are very white for moissanite, i think you have to be careful..as the color can vary...and don't try to go too big.

i think for earrings they are fabulous, you don't normally wear D Flawless earrings, so they look realistic.

 

[Ladybug09]

Thanks for this information...never heard of the Asha...went to betterthandiamond.com and they had a lot of info...Thanks again!

I love the Asscher, Round and Cushion cuts.

 

[blingaholic]

thanks for the comparison pics! i'd like to add another contender.

there is also the interlap CZ, sold by wink jones.

9mm interlap CZ in I-J color

this is a 7mm I-J color interlap princess i owned for a week. i sold it to a nice lady on another board.

my coworker's 3-stone Asha ring.

 

[monokuro]

WOW! Thanks so much for the comparison shots!!!

Moissanite looks soooooo GREEN! ><

 

[burberryprncess]

WOW they're stunning!

 

[elizat]

thanks for the comparison pics! i'd like to add another contender.

there is also the interlap CZ, sold by wink jones.

9mm interlap CZ in I-J color

this is a 7mm I-J color interlap princess i owned for a week. i sold it to a nice lady on another board.

my coworker's 3-stone Asha ring.

Wow! The interlap looks very nice too! I like that it comes in lower colors as well. I think the Asha stops at H? Does it have a diamond covering as well like the Asha does?

 

[blingaholic]

no, the interlap doesn't have a diamond coating. but it comes in light yellow, gold, dark gold, canary, etc. and it comes in antique cuts as well

 

[IntlSet]

I'd never heard of Asha before. May I ask what it is you prefer about synthetic diamonds? Other than an ethical basis on how/where diamonds are mined, I can't imagine anyone truly prefering synthetic over the real thing, as these Asha diamonds are certainly not inexpensive! I saw an engagement ring for around $3,000.

Not trying to antagonize anyone, I'm just genuinely curious why some prefer synthetic diamonds over the real thing. I'm sure there are good reasons I haven't thought of.

 

[blingaholic]

i prefer sims b/c:

1) i LOVE jewelry! i want one of each shape for rings, earrings, pendants and i can't afford that in genuine stones

2) i have other financial priorities.

 

[Tefhel]

I prefer CZs over real diamonds (I probably wouldn't buy Asha/moissanite because although they are hot, they are still expensive) because:

1) I love sparkly things! If it's sparkly I'll love it, it doesn't have to be diamond.
2) They are cheap - you can get them big, flawless, coloured and unincluded for less than $2 million (i.e $5/10 - talking about loose stones here)
3) They are worry free - if the stone clouds/chips/cracks/shatters/gets lost you've only lost a small amount of money.
4) (As you mentioned) There is no worry about whether I am funding armies in Africa if it might be a blood diamond.

 

[Bride2B]

Thank you so much for this thread, your kindness is appreciated

 

[elizat]

I'd never heard of Asha before. May I ask what it is you prefer about synthetic diamonds? Other than an ethical basis on how/where diamonds are mined, I can't imagine anyone truly prefering synthetic over the real thing, as these Asha diamonds are certainly not inexpensive! I saw an engagement ring for around $3,000.

Not trying to antagonize anyone, I'm just genuinely curious why some prefer synthetic diamonds over the real thing. I'm sure there are good reasons I haven't thought of.

I don't prefer sims and I'd say 99% of my jewelry is the real deal. I do have a pair of CZ studs that I bought to try out the princess cut- they are set in silver w/ platinum over them. They've worn great and I don't have to worry about losing them or damage. I've lost some expensive things in the past too.

So, my reason for interest in sims is no fear of loosing items and the cost and to try out new things w/o a large price tag. Plus, at this point in my life w/ huge student loan payments, car payment, mortgage, etc., buying a 1 ct plus pair of diamond studs to try out a new shape or something that is just for occasional wear for fun, is not a wise choice for me.

 

[illinirdhd]

I certainly don't prefer CZ or Asha over genuine diamonds, but as far as diamonds go, I like them white and clean, which is very expensive. When it came to my wedding set, the color and size and clarity of the diamond were important to me, and DH and I agreed to spend the money on rings that we would both wear every day for the rest of our lives (until I get him to upgrade my rings!). But with earrings, I still like a clean, white look, and don't want to spend the money.

As far as earrings and pendants and fun rings go, I like to be able to wear pretty jewelry that may or may not be "classic." So mixing genuine diamonds with CZs and Asha just makes more sense. I don't have money to throw around any way I want, so I'd rather spend more on bags and shoes than on jewelry. I do spend extra money for 14 or 18k yellow or white gold, but don't see the point in spending the extra cash on diamonds. Also, if you look at "affordable" diamonds vs. really good diamonds, there's a huge difference. I'd pick a CZ over a "spit diamond" any day!

I fell in love with a cross pendant at Tiffany recently. That thing was over $7,000. Beautiful, yes. Classic, yes. But $7,000? If I knew it would be something I'd wear every day no matter what else I had on (like my wedding rings), I might be able to justify the price. But I know myself too well. I like to change my necklaces, and don't usually wear any one more than once or twice/week. So maybe I'd be better off buying a CZ pendant for now, and spending $100 or $200 for CZs set in gold, or even platinum. One day, maybe I'll be able to afford to spend that much money on one piece of jewelry that I'll wear sometimes. Right now, though, I just can't justify it.

The other thing is that young couples just starting out really shouldn't put themselves in debt for an engagement ring. There's a lot of societal pressure to keep up with the Joneses, and I think a simulated diamond is a much wiser choice than breaking the bank for a ring. A simulated stone can always be replaced with a genuine diamond later.

Then there is the conflict diamonds argument. I pretty much stay out of that one, but there are people who are VERY committed to doing everything they can to keep from supporting the diamond trade.

 

[IntlSet]

that young couples just starting out really shouldn't put themselves in debt for an engagement ring. There's a lot of societal pressure to keep up with the Joneses, and I think a simulated diamond is a much wiser choice than breaking the bank for a ring. A simulated stone can always be replaced with a genuine diamond later.

Just to play devil's advocate -- why not spend a bit of money on a small diamond, or perhaps even a semi-precious stone? When people buy CZ engagement rings, they don't usually go for a modest look. Most CZ rings are rather -- aspirational?

I would never dream of buying a CZ engagement ring, personally. I think most people tend to assume that engagement rings, unlike perhaps diamond ear studs, are the real thing. I'm not that interested in representing myself, via jewelry, as something that I'm not.

Of course, others are more light-hearted about jewelry. To them, it's all really just for fun and they don't care if their 4 carat engagement ring is fake or real. And kudos to them -- it's just a personal preference. But I don't really buy the "finances" argument when it comes to engagement rings in particular -- other items of jewelry, maybe. I think in the engagement-ring instance it really is not unlike the woman who carries a fake Chanel bag.

 

[elizat]

The other thing is that young couples just starting out really shouldn't put themselves in debt for an engagement ring. There's a lot of societal pressure to keep up with the Joneses, and I think a simulated diamond is a much wiser choice than breaking the bank for a ring. A simulated stone can always be replaced with a genuine diamond later.

That is a great point! For me, I have TONS of law school debt and the person I am w/ now is getting his Ph.D in economics full time and works part time. If we decide to get married ever, I don't know that I'd even be comfortable spending money on a diamond for an e-ring b/c of my huge debt (it would be much more useful to go toward a loan) and b/c he doesn't make much money and won't for some time. Plus, I'll be honest. I'd rather have a band w/ small diamonds or a ring w/ a simulated stone- like Asha or even moissanite- than a .25 diamond if he insisted on a "traditional" e-ring. That's just me though.