Moissanite vs. Asha vs. CZ

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

#31
I agree that it isn't really the same for an engagement ring (although I won't ever be receiving an engagement ring so I don't quite know how it feels). Engagement rings are going to (hopefully) be with you forever, so I think it is good to invest more money in a natural stone for those (or eventually get one for it eg. if you are young, start off with what you can afford and then upgrade when you are older). For other jewellery though, I don't think it has to be a natural stone.

And at least, unlike fake bags, CZs, moissanite etc aren't illegal, aren't supporting the slave trade, and aren't ripping off anything else. You can't copyright "pretty and sparkly".
 
#32
I think there's this stigma attached to engagement rings. I'd personally feel a little bit less than proud to show off a small, but real diamond engagement ring. I'd rather wear a CZ and let the world think what they want. I'd also opt for a colored stone over a small diamond, or a ring without a stone, before I'd wear a microscopic diamond. I'm not saying I would or do look down on others' choices to wear a small stone, I don't care what others do - this is just how I would feel about it. I'll be very upfront - I'm a reasonably materialistic person. Anyone who knows me knows that I have an affection for great shoes and bags (I mix high end and designer pieces with good quality and less expensive pieces). DH and I are both in sales, and both make good money. So if the choice was between, say, a .25ct diamond and a 1ct CZ, I'd have picked the CZ. Or I would have picked something meaningful - a vintage piece that caught my eye or a pretty ring that reminded us both of a special place we'd been or a ring from Tiffany's silver collection. But I wouldn't pick a .25ct diamond.

I think there's a difference between carrying a fake bag and wearing a CZ. (I don't even want to get into the "fake bags support terrorism" claims because I personally believe that LOTS of things support terrorist activities - I hardly think that fake Chanels single-handedly funded 9/11!)

When you buy a fake Chanel, you're paying $100 or $200 or $500 to someone who has illegally copied a design that someone worked hard to make up and put into the marketplace, not to mention that years and years of marketing and sales and quality and advertising have made it possible for Chanel to sell something special. It's not "just" a bag. It's lots and lots of hard work and lots and lots of history that is being just overlooked and mocked when fake bags are sold. To me, a CZ is more like a non-designer bag that looks like it's leather. I say this because diamonds are a natural substance that can be mined and cut and sold by anyone. So when a company (or a person) makes something that looks like a diamond, they're not taking money out of the hands of or cheapening or exploiting the work of a particular designer - they're offering a similar substance for a lower price. Do I have a problem with websites (or shops in Tijuana) that sell fake Tiffany? Sure. But diamonds, IMO, are a different animal.

That's just how I see it.
 
#33
illinirdhd said:
I think there's this stigma attached to engagement rings. I'd personally feel a little bit less than proud to show off a small, but real diamond engagement ring. I'd rather wear a CZ and let the world think what they want. I'd also opt for a colored stone over a small diamond, or a ring without a stone, before I'd wear a microscopic diamond. I'm not saying I would or do look down on others' choices to wear a small stone, I don't care what others do - this is just how I would feel about it. I'll be very upfront - I'm a reasonably materialistic person. Anyone who knows me knows that I have an affection for great shoes and bags (I mix high end and designer pieces with good quality and less expensive pieces). DH and I are both in sales, and both make good money. So if the choice was between, say, a .25ct diamond and a 1ct CZ, I'd have picked the CZ. Or I would have picked something meaningful - a vintage piece that caught my eye or a pretty ring that reminded us both of a special place we'd been or a ring from Tiffany's silver collection. But I wouldn't pick a .25ct diamond.

I think there's a difference between carrying a fake bag and wearing a CZ. (I don't even want to get into the "fake bags support terrorism" claims because I personally believe that LOTS of things support terrorist activities - I hardly think that fake Chanels single-handedly funded 9/11!)

When you buy a fake Chanel, you're paying $100 or $200 or $500 to someone who has illegally copied a design that someone worked hard to make up and put into the marketplace, not to mention that years and years of marketing and sales and quality and advertising have made it possible for Chanel to sell something special. It's not "just" a bag. It's lots and lots of hard work and lots and lots of history that is being just overlooked and mocked when fake bags are sold. To me, a CZ is more like a non-designer bag that looks like it's leather. I say this because diamonds are a natural substance that can be mined and cut and sold by anyone. So when a company (or a person) makes something that looks like a diamond, they're not taking money out of the hands of or cheapening or exploiting the work of a particular designer - they're offering a similar substance for a lower price. Do I have a problem with websites (or shops in Tijuana) that sell fake Tiffany? Sure. But diamonds, IMO, are a different animal.

That's just how I see it.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I see your point of view -- and yes, I had not thought of the "design" aspect of bags versus the general lack of design going into CZ jewelry. You make a good argument and I'm convinced.
 
#34
i bought a 2 carat emerald cut ASHA about 6 months ago. heavy setting, i have been wanting that shape for years..and thought of upgrading my engagment ring to it. after wearing it for a couple of weeks, i decided that the emerald cut doesn't look good on my freakishly long fingers...so i am "over" upgrading to an emerald cut...my friend is in love with it, so i will probably give it to her. it is a size diamond that i could afford...so i don't think it screamed "fake"...and it is in a heavy setting.

i am not newly engaged, i have my home...my cars, my kids...so i can buy pretty much what i want within reason....but having the big diamond isn't really a focus anymore. i guess i'd rather put 20k in the kids college fund.

but i still love looking at everyone's amazing diamonds...and i will probably buy an eternity band to go with my original e-ring. i am sentimental.

oh, and i may use a little bit of money saved for some cosmetic surgery, the boobs could use a boost!
 
#35
If I had a choice to do over again, I'd choose a larger synthetic stone over my small e-diamond. Given all I've seen, I might go with a chinese white Interlap princess cut if it can be had. To me, why not enjoy wearing something you absolutely love -- I happen to like impact-style jewelry even tho I am simple in my wardrobe.

Someone I knew was presented a beautiful 1ct solitaire but she wanted a particular e-ring with stepped diamonds on the side. Unfortunately, the diamond was downgraded in size/carat weight, cut and clarity. I wish she hadn't done it, b/c what she was asking for was only accommodated by what was in her and fiance's budget, so basically, a sizeable brilliant gem in return for about a dozen smaller lower quality stones. If she had kept the original solitaire, and used quality synthetic for the rest of the stepped sides, it would have been ideal.

I've contemplated turning my e-ring to a 3-stone by adding synthetics to either side of my diamond but I realize I much prefer size over quantity trying to build it up. Of course the cost is prohibitive --what I want costs well over $10K for the real deal, so the synthetic option is a very good one at the moment.
 
#36
My engagement ring is a 0.47ct emerald cut diamond. That was 6 years ago and my then-fiance had just started out working. I hardly wear it anymore. Especially for the emerald cut, it looks tiny on my chubby finger.

If I could do it over, I'd rather he get me the Asha 1-2ct emerald cut. I think it'll even worked out cheaper than the real thing. But I dont have the heart to tell him that tho'

Btw, I just received my Asha 1.5ct martini studs. They sparkle sooo much! I love them. As for how they will last, I'm not sure but I sure hope they last a long time as they aren't exactly cheap.
 
#37
spendalot said:
My engagement ring is a 0.47ct emerald cut diamond. That was 6 years ago and my then-fiance had just started out working. I hardly wear it anymore. Especially for the emerald cut, it looks tiny on my chubby finger.

If I could do it over, I'd rather he get me the Asha 1-2ct emerald cut. I think it'll even worked out cheaper than the real thing. But I dont have the heart to tell him that tho'

Btw, I just received my Asha 1.5ct martini studs. They sparkle sooo much! I love them. As for how they will last, I'm not sure but I sure hope they last a long time as they aren't exactly cheap.
Click to expand...


spendalot,Congrats on your asha studs,don't worry your asha studs will be just as beautiful 5yrs from now,the diamond coating gives them added sparkle and strength.Enjoy and share some pictures if you find the time.:smile1:
 
#38
IntlSet said:
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.
Click to expand...

i used to buy into the whole "diamonds are a girl's best friend" thing. i obsessed over having the perfect diamond, in the perfect setting. that is, until finances came into play. we had a choice to spend money on a real diamond, or get the same thing in a simulant and use the leftover cash for a downpayment on our home. our choice to invest in building a home for our family seemed to make more sense, so practicality won and the choice was simple.

i LOVE how diamonds look. i LOVE how they sparkle. but i HATE the cost associated with having one, both financially and ethically. a sim allows me to satisfy my desire for something beautiful, but not sacrifice the priorities in my life. owning a diamond, simply isn't one of them.

to my friends and family, i have been forthcoming with our decision to forego on a diamond, but i simply do not see the necessity in having to explain myself to EVERYONE. if someone was to question my ring's authenticity, i will tell the truth. "Yes, this is an authentic moissanite". if people are going to assume that i'm wearing a diamond, then so be it. but, i'm not about to wear a sign on my forehead saying "hey stranger, just so you know, this is not a real diamond and i do not wish to misrepresent myself with my jewelry, hope you understand"

people can make all the assumptions they want, but truth be told, i don't aspire to owning a real diamond. just like i don't aspire to own a real designer hand bag, i don't have the money for it and in my financial situation, owning an authentic handbag would be pretty stupid.... but if i passed by a cart downtown that sold a "lookalike" handbag that complimented my outfit, damn skippy i'm buying it.

as far as i'm concerned, there's no justification needed, because i know that real or not, the symbolism behind the ring is what matters.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chessmont
#39
moissanite is your best best I would say it is actually a stone that was found in a meteor that fell the earth about 40 years ago and two scientists managed to find a way to replicate its "dna" it has more reflection and fire than a diamond and is almost as hard as a diamond, so it is probably between a sapphire and a diamond for hardness around a 9 on the Moh scale. I think moissanite is soo cool just because of the story behind it and where it originates from!! and because it is not a "fake" diamond it will not get cloudy and break over time like CZ
 
#40
^^ I'm on the fence about moissanite. Its refractive index is high and the gemstone is quite sparkly. However in the two pieces that I've seen so far (both rounds), there is a distinct tint (yellow or green) to the stones. I wonder if this is common of all moissanites. I expected moissanites to be near colorless, perhaps the ones I saw were not of good quality?
 
#41
rainrowan said:
^^ I'm on the fence about moissanite. Its refractive index is high and the gemstone is quite sparkly. However in the two pieces that I've seen so far (both rounds), there is a distinct tint (yellow or green) to the stones. I wonder if this is common of all moissanites. I expected moissanites to be near colorless, perhaps the ones I saw were not of good quality?
Click to expand...

i like them for earrings, or small stones...but wouldnt venture over 1 carat

a friend has a 2-die-4 eternity band....i always drool over it, she confided it is moissanite. i was fooled, and i own moissanite.

i think if you stay within reason, don't get too crazy...moissanite can look like a very-sparkly, although...not-very-white diamond

i guess it depends on the piece, from what i understand it can vary greatly
 
#42
^thanks guccimamma. The two stones I had seen in person were 1ct and 2ct. I think because of its refractive qualities - it is quite brilliant - they are best suited for smaller sizes I agree -- any bigger than, say, even 3/4 carat to me and the brilliance appears overpowering, even in less-than-white quality, if that makes any sense.

As an aside, I've yet to see a moissanite princess in person but I've read that Charles & Colvard's original "princess cut" moissanite is quite different from the "square brilliant" moissanite, the latter being a much-improved version. I read about this either at simstalk or pricescope a while ago.

-------
I received an Interlap CZ princess from Winfields and it looks nice. It has a nice brilliance and I would say nicer than the Signity stones produced by Swarovski. The Swarovski Signity stones are brilliant too but I notice an "X" shadow on my Signity princess loose stones.... princess cuts on CZs seem to be one of the tougher cuts to either achieve proper facets or refraction with.

Just throwing it out there for anyone wondering! :p
 
#43
I have got 1 carat each ear studs from www.carat.cc. They look very real and very white. The only difference is it is much lighter weight. Price is very good.

I wear it with my real 1 carat E color diamond pendant. I think since I have long hair, my earrings don't show as much so I don't want to pay so much for a real pair of studs.
 
#44
I think sims are fantastic! I love the Asha and do believe that no one can tell the difference--as long as the Asha ring is in line with what you can afford in natural diamond. I have owned an Asha pear and round, and plan on buying a honking 5 carat round in the very near future.

I wore a 2.75 carat moissanite eternity band right next to my three stone diamond engagement ring for quite a while (2 carat center, .40 each side). They were a perfect match and I LOVED the sparkle of the stones. I replaced it with a 5 stone diamond band a few months ago, and the impact just isn't the same.

Sims are great and a wonderful "add-in" to natural diamonds and gemstones. I wouldn't want a sim as my only engagement ring, but I plan to wear the 5 carat honker in rotation. I like to have choices!!!

DH is upgrading my 3 stone diamond ring in the next couple of months to something larger... 3.5 carat princess diamond center with .75 trillion each side. I won't go any bigger in diamond, but will with Asha!!!
 
#45
I have several moissanite rings, and IME they only look less than white when put next to a CZ or a spectacularly white diamond (which my real diamond e-ring is not). So I am happy with them, and get lots of compliments.

Question - are there different qualities of CZs which do not cloud, or take much longer to look cloudy?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top