It’s 2021, and after a global pandemic, it’s safe to say that people are looking for cheaper alternatives to just about everything. This is especially true when it comes to engagement rings and bridal sets.

For years, the diamond has become an American symbol of marriage. However, diamonds are also incredibly expensive due to their high demand. Even lab-made diamonds can cost an arm a leg, causing many would-be grooms to hold off on proposing until they can afford the “perfect” set (which often costs upwards of $10,000 or more).

Moissanite bridal sets are far more affordable than diamond sets and offer the same level of quality, beauty, and attention to detail that’s guaranteed to stun your bride-to-be and guarantee an emphatic Yes!

How Much Do Moissanite Bridal Sets Cost?

Much like diamonds, moissanite bridal sets are priced according to a variety of different factors. These include the carat (weight) of the moissanite, how many facets have been cut into the stone, the GIA clarity rating of the gem, and also the type of material used to create the ring band.

The carat of a moissanite crystal tends to be the biggest determining factor in regards to the overall price. A rough estimate is that a 1-carat moissanite costs around $1,000 to $1,200, while a 2-carat moissanite typically costs around $2,000, give or take.

Is Moissanite The Same Quality As Diamond?

The main reason why moissanite has become so popular in recent years is that it looks almost identical to diamond. However, anybody could cut a piece of glass and make it look like a diamond, so you can’t always go based on looks alone.

Moissanite shares more than just looks with diamonds, though. On the Mohs hardness scale, moissanite comes in at 9.25, making it just slightly less hard than diamond (which ranks at 10 and is the hardest gem).

This means that you can expect moissanite bridal sets to last a lifetime. They won’t crack, break, or scratch unless they’re exposed to extreme conditions or unless a harder stone (such as a diamond), scratches it.

How To Choose The Best Moissanite Bridal Set

If you’ve never chosen a moissanite bridal set before, then it’s easy to get confused about certain terms. What makes one set more valuable than another? Below, we’ll give you some quick pointers so you can better understand the difference between cheaper and more expensive bridal sets.

Stone Size

A stone’s size and weight is measured in carats. The more carats, the heavier and larger the stone is, and the more expensive it is as well. The average size for a moissanite bridal set is between 1 and 2 carats. Typically the engagement ring has a smaller stone than the accompanying wedding ring.

Stone Cut

The more facets that have been cut into the stone, the more it will shine and glimmer in the light. However, cutting facets requires hours of focused, fine-tuned cutting by highly-experienced jewelers who charge a lot of money for their time. The more facets the moissanite has, the more you’ll pay.

Stone Clarity

The clarity of a moissanite stone is measured by the GIA’s clarity scale. For moissanite, the scale typically ranges from D-grade (which is the clearest and most valuable) to K-grade (lowest quality, less transparent).