As a clear gemstone, moissanite is incredibly rare and occurs even less frequently in nature than diamond. Also known as silicon carbide, moissanite was first discovered in 1893 in the crater of a meteorite by Henri Moissan, a Nobel prize winning chemist. Moissanite is a popular option for a centre stone in engagement rings because of its ethical and sustainable credentials as well as its amazing price point. All moissanite offered by Lily Arkwright is lab grown and is a stunning choice for an engagement ring because of its incredible clarity and diamond like sparkle.

We specialise in moissanite and offer a wide variety of rings set with the stone ranging from the classic Grace solitaire to the more extravagant Esme shoulder set. In addition to our extensive range, we also have a bespoke ring design service especially for couples who want something entirely unique. All of our rings showcase our British craftsmanship and have free and insured global shipping. Besides this, there is a 30 day hassle-free returns policy* and a 12 month warranty.

Photo Reference: Esme 2.70ct Radiant Moissanite Ring

First and foremost, moissanite is a great option because it is a gorgeous gemstone. As an entirely different mineral with a separate chemical composition, moissanite is not a diamond substitute and should be considered a precious gemstone in its own right. However, when compared side by side the two are markedly similar, so similar in fact that it often takes a trained jeweller to be able to tell them apart.

Another reason for moissanite’s popularity is its price. The cost is considerably less than mined diamond meaning that larger carats and colour variants are within a more accessible price range, what would be an aspirational ring in mined diamond can be a reality in moissanite. Mined diamond relies on a finite supply and has to go through a number of different people before it is available on the jewellery market, lab grown gems, such as moissanite, do not have the same volume of processes. The only limiting factor of grown moissanite is its manufacturing methods which means that it can be sold at a lower price, and when bought through our global partners PayPal or Klarna we are able to offer 0% interest on all orders. Make sure to check out LDNFASHION's article on moissanite jewellery for more reasons why this gemstone is such a popular choice.

As well as this moissanite is an ethical and sustainable choice when compared to current mining practices. Unfortunately there are numerous issues that pervade natural diamond mines whether that be low wages and bad working conditions, or the funding of conflicts and violent groups. Whilst this is being improved upon and means ethically sourced mined diamonds will hopefully be an option some time in the future, moissanite is an attractive choice as an engagement ring that is guaranteed to not have displaced or harmed people during its manufacturing. We also offer the world’s best lab grown diamond engagement rings as another option, all of which are fully certified to international standards. Furthermore, the energy needed to grow moissanite is dwarfed by the last quantities needed to extract natural diamond, making this gemstone a more ecologically sound option.

The scratch resistance of a mineral is measured by the mohs scale of hardness and determines the durability of a gemstone. As a 10, diamond is the hardest substance on earth, with rubies and sapphires not far behind scoring a 9. At a 9.25, moissanite is close to the hardness of a diamond and makes for a very durable engagement ring suitable for everyday wear. All our moissanite engagement rings also come with a lifetime warranty, ensuring the utmost quality to all our customers.

Photo Reference: Loose Coloured Mix Lily Arkwright Moissanite

Charles and Colvard were the first worldwide and exclusive manufacturers of moissanite to sell in the jewellery market, and have been doing so over the last 20 years. As the most lauded and well-known makers of moissanite, they have a large following and produce excellent quality gemstones. Taking two - three months to create a single gem, each stone is subject to exacting quality checks and must undergo several rounds of grading before being allowed for sale. We are proud authorised retailers of Charles and Colvard and are sellers of both their Forever One range and their Heart and Arrows range.

Forever One is Charles and Colvard’s premium moissanite range, and is the accumulation of many years of research. Coming in a variety of different cuts, such as the brilliant round, princess cut, and emerald to name a few, the forever one range rivals any natural gemstone in terms of fire and brilliance. We stock moissanite in a variety of sizes all the way from 0.0021ct and up-to and over 15.00ct.

Moissanite is graded in a similar way to diamonds with a colour scale beginning at D and ending at Z. The Forever One range comes in two colour grades, D-F which is classified as colourless (with only their brightnesses telling them apart), and G-I classified as near-colourless. This latter range has a slight colour difference but it is still almost imperceptible. Lily Arkwright offers both of these grades, and if you need any more information about the difference between the two, you can contact us at hello@lilyarkwright.com.

The cut is another measure by which quality can be evaluated, and is determined by how well the stone is proportioned. When referring to the cut, it is not the overall shape that is being referenced but rather the ideal set of ratios for that particular shape. For instance take one of our most popular cuts, the brilliant round, which has an optimal number of 58 facets, all of these must be correctly proportioned in order for the stone to be deemed ideal. When these ratios are inaccurate, the way that the stone reflects light can be disrupted causing leaks that drastically affect how it sparkles, ending up with lacklustre stone. When dealing with mined diamonds, if a rough stone is irregular, cutters can make concessions that create a cheaper diamond with a dull appearance. This is done by cutting the final gemstone either too deep or, as is more often the case, too shallow. All moissanite within the Forever One range is ideally cut, and has been meticulously faceted by Charles and Colvard in order to create maximum brilliance and fire.

Charles and Colvard judge the clarity of a moissanite gemstone by employing trained specialists who, using a 10x jeweler’s loupe, decide whether the quality is of an impeccable standard. Clarity is graded by the number of imperfections that are present within a stone that may impede optical performance. These small marks on the inside of a gemstone are called inclusions and when there are a lot of them, they can seriously tarnish the overall look. Having said this, the majority of moissanite and diamonds will have tiny inclusions present within, but these are often invisible to the naked eye. The Forever One range produces exceptionally clear moissanite, and falls within the Internally Flawless to Very Very Slightly Included (IF-VVS) clarity range. After it has gone through several rounds of testing every stone is given a certificate of authenticity and engraved with the words Forever One.

Photo Reference: Bespoke 2.10ct Moissanite Two Tone Ring with Diamond Halo

The other Charles and Colvard range we stock is the Hearts and Arrows cut. This specific shape is sometimes referred to as the super-ideal cut because ever since its discovery in 1970’s Japan, it has proved to be superior in terms of sparkle to any other. Created by carefully aligning its 57 facets and ensuring their sizes according to an exacting set of rules, the Hearts and Arrows cut shows eight symmetrical arrows seen from the crown of the jewel (the top face) and eight symmetrical hearts when seen from underneath (also called the pavilion). Because of the painstaking nature of constructing and polishing a Hearts and Arrows cut moissanite gemstone, this particular shape can come at a premium, but is a beautiful and more unique option.

Mastered by Charles and Colvard in 2017, each stone cut in this way will be perfectly symmetrical and really showcases how well crafted each moissanite stone is. The Hearts and Arrows cut is also popular with those who would like to most closely mimic a diamond, as this is the cut that most closely resembles the sparkle of a diamond.

Photo Reference: Charles & Colvard Hearts and Arrows Collection

Here at Lily Arkwright we have been able to successfully produce exceptional quality moissanite for our Lily Arkwright Moissanite Range. The standard of our moissanite is in no way inferior to Charles and Colvard, however we are able to market our moissanite engagement rings at a lower price simply because we produce it ourselves.

Charles and Colvard had been the exclusive manufacturers of moissanite until 2016 when their patent ended. After this other companies were free to set up their own lines of moissanite. Whilst the company still produces the world’s premium moissanite, as they have been for the past couple of decades, we are happy to say that as an alternative brand we also deliver a superior calibre moissanite. Lily Arkwright moissanite comes with a lifetime warranty, just like with Charles and Colvard, because we can assure our customers of the excellent quality we offer.

Whilst the Forever One range covers a variety of different cuts, the main difference between this and Hearts and Arrows is that the latter refers to one specific type. Hearts and Arrows most closely resembles the brilliant round, however the way it is faceted makes it sparkle similarly to a diamond.

Lily Arkwright Moissanite offers the same outstanding quality moissanite as Charles and Colvard, and although there is no discernible difference in standards between the two, there are a few small differences in what we provide. As we produce Lily Arkwright moissanite ourselves there is more freedom to create bespoke cut pieces exactly as our customers want, allowing for more customisable options. It is also worth noting that whilst the brilliant round cut for both LAM and C&C appear identical, our oval cut is ever so slightly more faceted than Charles and Colvard’s, giving a more diamond-like appearance and features more of a crushed ice look. Take a look at the video below which features an C&C oval cut on the top and a LAM oval cut on the bottom.

The crushed ice effect is achieved by having a gemstone that is cut with irregular and multiple facets. These smaller facets display a shattered look much like broken glass or crushed ice (hence the name), reflecting light off of each other. This antique look is favoured by many and is offered in our Lily Arkwright Moissanite range.

As well as this, Lily Arkwright Moissanite engagement rings can come in a variety of different colours, from yellow, grey, green or even blue, the collection is diverse. Have a look at our bespoke grey moissanite stone featured in the video below.

Moissanite is made through a process called thermal decomposition, which happens when a substance is heated and reaches a state where it can chemically decompose. In the case of moissanite this substance is Methylsilane, a colourless gas at room temperature that at the right extreme temperature conditions breaks down into moissanite. This method is overlooked by a team of experts and closely monitored to track its progress.

When large single crystals of moissanite have formed, industrial-grade diamond chips are used to cut and polish the stones whilst they are spun around using turntable-like machines.

There are numerous myths about moissanite, here we outline a few and go over why they are untrue.  

All moissanite has a colour tint: when the gemstone was first manufactured there was a marginal yellowish or greyish hue but this is no longer the case. All moissanite we offer is in the D-F colour range, which is certified colourless or the G-I range which is certified near-colourless.

Moissanite is not durable: moissanite is actually the third hardest mineral on the planet and is often used in manufacturing (much like diamond) because of this. It makes for an excellent engagement ring because of these enduring properties as a hard-wearing gemstone suitable for everyday use.

Moissanite turns cloudy over time: unlike cubic zirconia, which is a diamond simulant that does turn cloudy over time, moissanite does not and remains crystal clear. All of our moissanite rings also come with a limited lifetime warranty, guaranteeing exceptional everlasting quality.

We have an expansive range of moissanite engagement rings and lab diamond engagement rings, and even offer a bespoke ring design service. All our rings can come in either Charles and Colvard moissanite or our brand Lily Arkwright moissanite.

Photo Reference: Grace 1.90ct Round Cut Moissanite Platinum Ring

The Grace solitaire is our most popular ring and features a brilliant round cut gemstone set with a four prong mount and sat on a knife edge band. Coming in a variety of different metals, the Grace is an elegant and timeless choice that has been engineered to allow as much light as possible through the centre stone, showcasing the moissanite centrepiece. The Grace can also be set with a Charles and Colvard Hearts and Arrows round cut stone, which can add the unparalleled sparkle of a super-ideal cut for extra uniqueness. In fact, the Grace was recently featured in The Telegraph, as a wonderful jewellery piece to buy online. All our rings are testament to British Craftsmanship and are UK Hallmarked. Hallmarking has been a custom in the UK for centuries and involves making sure that the precious metal content of a piece of jewellery is legitimate. All jewellery that claims to be a precious metal must be hallmarked and is done so via the testing of a separate third party.

Photo Reference: Giselle 1.50ct Round Cut Moissanite Platinum Ring

The Giselle is another of our popular rings and is similar to the Grace in that it also features a brilliant round cut moissanite either in Lily Arkwright Moissanite or Charles & Colvard Moissanite, and can be set with a Hearts and Arrows cut. It also has a gorgeous pavé of diamonds set into the shoulders with a medium sized band. All Moissanite stones are accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a limited lifetime warranty, and each stone is carefully inspected and graded by a fully qualified gemologist. We are proud Assay Assured retailers and members of the National Association of Jewelers, which means that everyone of our items has been quality checked by an independent assessor, ensuring great quality across our ranges.

Photo Reference: Esme 2.70ct Radiant Cut Moissanite Ring

The Esme is one of our gorgeous halo rings and comes in either an emerald or radiant cut centre stone, and can be set in Charles and Colvard moissanite or Lily Arkwright moissanite. Available in yellow, rose, and white gold as well as platinum, the Esme is a dazzling and ornate ring that is sure to impress. We have 30 day free and complimentary ring resizing, just to make absolutely sure that all our customers receive a ring that fits perfectly. The Esme along with the other two rings previously mentioned are wed-fit rings, meaning that they will comfortably sit alongside other jewellery such as wedding rings and eternity bands.

Have a look at our moissanite earrings and pendants as well, for a gorgeous bridal set.

If moissanite is the engagement ring centre stone for you, then choosing between our different selections can be difficult. We offer certified colourless moissanite in both our Charles and Colvard and Lily Arkwright ranges, all with amazing clarity and stunning sparkle. Neither of the two is inherently better than the other, and all come with a limited lifetime warranty.

Charles and Colvard have been leading industry experts and have been in the moissanite market for over twenty years, whereas Lily Arkwright moissanite, which is of the same exceptional quality, can be priced lower because we produce this range ourselves.

Whichever you decide to go for, all Lily Arkwright moissanite rings are sure to last you a lifetime of happiness. If you need any more guidance on the moissanite ranges or have any queries regarding your moissanite engagement ring or other jewellery we offer please get in touch with us on our email hello@lilyarkwright.com or call us on 0161 537 6773. You can also book a one-on-one consultation at our UK showroom to see what our rings look like in real life or have a virtual showroom appointment where one of JET trained jewellery consultants can show and talk you through our different options.  

We pride ourselves on our ability to produce stunning ethical and sustainable fine jewellery at an amazing price point, supported by unrivalled customer service. We offer the highest quality moissanite, lab grown diamonds and gemstones.

Lily Arkwright are proud Assay Assured jewellery retailers and committed members of the National Association of Jewellers based on honesty, integrity and professionalism. All precious metal jewellery offered by Assay Assured jewellery retailers carries the legally-required independent hallmark verifying the precious metal content, a protection over and above legal requirements. Read our glowing customer reviews on Trust Pilot.

If you are interested in booking a consultation or simply would like to find out more information about ourselves or our collections, please call us on 0161 537 6773, alternatively you can email our jewellery consultancy team at hello@lilyarkwright.com.

*On standard collections that are not designated 'made to order'.

Did you enjoy this article? Do you know which moissanite you'd pick?

Let us know your thoughts and leave us a comment below. Also are there any future topics you'd like us to cover?

Wishing you all the best, The Lily Arkwright Team x