@Melimoo: Why not go with a gemstone? If you are so against diamonds, why would you want something that looks like one?
If you don't want a gemstone, I'd go w. a moissanite. I've never seen one in person but I understand they look a bit different from diamonds and make their owners very happy :)
@throughthebarricades: Don't get me wrong, I think diamonds are beautiful - but I don't like the whole conflict diamond issue, I don't like the excessive cost for a diamond, and I don't like having marketers telling me that the only way to really show love is by getting a diamond for your special lady. Moissanite is my top choice, just from all the research I've done...I looked into white sapphires but from the pictures I've seen and the articles I've read, they don't have that fire sparkle and they are more prone to scratch. =(
@Melimoo: You should totally go ahead and order a loose moissanite stone, then. Take it to a jeweler and have them set it in something custom for you.
Most reputable diamond retailers don't use the blood diamonds. Blue Nile, for example, has close to wholesale prices and are pretty strict w. their standards. If you're still worried though then definitely go the moissanite route.
If you are looking for something to hold its value, a gemstone is a better bet than moissanite. I think mossanite will be rendered irrelevant when the amora gem is released in 2015 and C&C loses its exclusive patent on the moissanite manufacturing process. Once everyone and their brother is allowed to produce moissanite, the stones will be a dime a dozen. And their desirability (and thus marketplace value) will decrease with the release of thw whiter amora gem that more strongly resembles an actual diamond. Just my .02.
In your case, I would go with Moissanite, BUT, I went into Zales today asking to see colored gemstones and she took me to the white sapphires and I got mad because I thought she was still trying to talk me into diamonds. The pictures I have seen online do not do any justice for those beautiful white sapphires I saw today! I mean...wow! They are absolutely gorgeous and LOADED with fire. I was just so confused on all of the comments people made about them being "dull". I was so shocked, I asked her to put it next to a diamond and guess what? I giggled it was so close. Pictures do look much more dull and "sleepy", but IRL, they are amazing. I do not know about scratching though. Some people complain about it, some don't. I think you should probably walk into a jewelry store first and look. It might help your decision a little more.
@stillwaiting88: Thanks! I think I will give that a shot - I hadn't heard from anyone who said a white sapphire has the sparkle of a diamond, so that's definitely worth looking into.
@lovekiss: My main concern right now is putting my $$ into a setting and getting the best rock I can - then perhaps when your Amora comes out I can look at that. I've visted the website and it does look beautiful! The problem I'm seeing though, is that if I purchase a setting from one place, and have it set at another - my warranty gets voided - so that complicates things a lot.
@Melimoo: I will give the disclaimer that these particular white sapphires could've been incredibly awesome next to diamonds that were not of the best quality. I do not know all of the specifics of what I saw, but I was REALLY shocked because all the professional pictures of white sapphires don't even look as awesome as the ones I saw today. I hope you make a decision soon so your head can stop hurting ;)
@Melimoo: You and I are in the same boat, my head hurts from all the options. Sorry no advice just a good luck! lol
@Melimoo: I would go with MoissaniteCo. In fact, I did! They are an incredibly reputable company with outstanding customer service (a quick search here or on the BetterThanDiamond.com forums will provide you countless testimonies).
A few corrections for you:
1. Sapphires do not sparkle as much as diamonds, and certainly not as much as moissanites. They're also not as durable. (of course plenty of ladies love them tho!)
2. The white gold settings from MoissaniteCo *are* plated (with rhodium, like almost all white gold). If you want unplated white gold, it can be ordered from them but you must specify that requirement.
For my ering, we got an Amora enhanced moissanite and had it set locally, in a customized setting. I'd happily buy a whole ring from MoissaniteCo in the future (they also will customize many settings for you). My loose stone was insured while it was being set. You don't need to worry about warranties for the moissanite stone itself. The only warrenty offered (by Charles & Colvard) is useless anyway.
@lovekiss: If moissy ever DOES become "a dime a dozen" I'll be in heaven, but that will never happen. Even after the patent expires in 2015 the stones will still be very expensive. Growing moissy is not like baking bread. Sadly.
@valintine: Hmmm if what you say is true, than I am even more disconcerted than I was before with MoissaniteCo, since they told me they sold solid 14K white gold settings - NOT plated gold. Is it the same for their 950 Palladium option? Bummer...I didn't have a problem with their apparent ring value, but rather their lack of any type of customer service (still waiting on that response e-mail btw).
See what I mean? SO many conflicting stories...SO confusing.
@Melimoo: Most all white gold in stores IS plated with rhodium, it is STILL solid white gold. White gold that is unplated is not white white, more of a yellow cast. If you want white white and not plated, go with the palladium. You will find a lot of ohappy Moissy ladies on here and the stones are beautiful.
I had a very good experience with moissaniteco.com. I have never heard of moissanitebridal. I'd try again to get in touch with moissaniteco if you really like their settings. The BetterThanDiamond.com forums is a good place to find the owner, as he posts there frequently, and you can ask him questions there directly. His name is MikeC. The other owner is Jera, and I believe she posts there, too.
I think there is some confusion with the whole plating thing here. OP, I think you were originally talking about rings that were a less valuable metal that are plated with gold, instead of being solid gold. What Valintine was saying is that MoissaniteCo's rings are solid gold that are plated with rhodium. This is very standard for white gold, as it makes it appear more white rather than yellow, and I believe it also offers some protection to the gold itself.
As far as the companies you mentioned, I would go with MoissaniteCo. I've always heard that they have very good customer service and they have a good return policy. The first two companies you listed basically sell cubic zirconia.
Have you looked into colored stones, or did you want something white?
@Melimoo: yes of course they sell solid gold settings (14k and 18k), they only sell fine jewelry, but nearly ALL white gold you buy, from anywhere, is dipped (aka plated aka coated) in rhodium. If you specifically want unplated gold you have to ask for it. Any white gold you've seen in Zales, Tiffany's, etc. was coated in rhodium.
No, palladium is not coated.
DH & I had good experience with MoissaniteCo's customer service, as have countless other Bees (and my experience included returning a loose stone). I sent them tons of emails and never had to wait more than 1-2 business days for a response; perhaps the address was wrong in your message?
Don't worry, none of this is actually complicated . . . once you become obsessed!
@EffieTrinket: Thanks! I've posted a general inquiry on that site - as MikeC had reached his limit on private inquiries. =)
@valintine: Thank you for your explaination of "plated" metals - yes - I think this IS a topic that is surrounded by much confusion. Luckily for me, if Palladium is not one of the plated/unplated options - then I have nothing to worry about, as that is the metal I am looking for (allergy-free option).
MoissaniteCo had my business until I reached out via website chat and communicated with Kristen...I want a cross between two rings they have listed and she couldn't tell me the price of the requested mix (it wasn't complex), she couldn't give me the model # to the wedding band show in the pictures, and she couldn't help with any contact information other than an e-mail address...she just couldn't seem to help with anything. Good customer service is my #1 in any purchase I make - I am willing to go for a more expensive option if it is associated with a helpful staff. =)
@Melimoo: White sapphires are highly durable. Have you considered a polar diamond from Canada? They are ethically sourced. Krikawa offers polar diamonds for their rings and they have awesome settings.
Editted to add they also offer paladium and every ring is custom. We had an excellent experience with them. They offer moissanite as well.
I'd order a loose stone from either moissaniteco or betterthandiamond and set it at a store near you. I LOVE the quality of their moissanite but am not impressed by the workmanship of moissaniteco. the gold, at least on their filigree-style rings, is too thin and cheap looking.
@patchy: I have actually considered that - but haven't for two reasons: it would void the warranty of the stone, and I've read reviews from people who went that route and have experienced the jeweler cracking their ring due to the heat of their settings (then, they had to go out and repurchase a new stone).
moissanite is nearly just as hard as diamond and tougher, it's certainly harder than sapphire so it'd have to be a really unlucky or incompetent jeweler to crack it! I've ordered filigree rings for my parents, and they were so unwowed by the setting that they reset it at a local jeweler. if I'd known beforehand how the setting was, I would've saved money and just ordered it loose!!
@Melimoo: I've spent the better part of this last year doing the same thing you're doing. VERY LONG STORY SHORT....the folks at moissaniteco.com, Chris, specifically, went above and beyond any expectations I could have held high. They were all tireless in sending me emails and photo-mocks. Every stone size, shape, band, prong, metal combo you can think of, I tried! And moissyco.com came thru with the most gorgeous ring for me!!! They will ALWAYS have my most supportive and highest recommendations!!!
@Melimoo: Hi I thought I would respond because I am in a very similar situation we we have finally come to a final decision. We are going with a round Asha diamond simulant. I have done so much research that I could puke. I live very near a Diamond Nexus store and have visited there several times. The first time I was impressed but I think that was just because I was excited to go ring shopping. Every other time I went back I was not impressed, the rings looked a little a little too "white" for my taste. The 1 carat looks decent compared to a natural mined diamond but anything larger than that I do not think is a wise choice for Diamond Nexus. I have also read bad things about the stones falling out (althought their return and warranty policy is excellent). Moissante I have heard can look pretty green in certain light. If you want the most "real looking" diamond simulant I would go with an Asha for sure. I have not seen one in person but like I have said I have done countless hours of research on simulants and natural diamonds. I am getting a 1.5 carat round asha (hearts and arrows) and placing it in a Neil Lane setting. There are many reasons we are going with an asha I could go on and on and on (you can private message me if you want). It all depends on what you want your ring "look" to be.
PS. I love this topic and could talk about it all day!
@Melimoo: Had to comment on this again. I am in the same situation, I am getting my setting from Jared and having the center stone set by Asha which will void Jared's warranty. However this isn't a huge deal to me because frankly their warranty isn't that great. Free cleanings and sizing (big whoop) and possibly some stone repair if one of the pave diamonds are lost. My setting is very high end so I am not expecting anything to happen but if it does the pave diamond will be so small I can't imagine it being too expensive. The money I am saving with going with an asha center stone will pay for my pave diamond replacements a million times over if anything did every happen. And although asha diamonds will not last forever, again, if i have to replace the center stone in 5-7 years for $200....not a problem (for me...I can understand why people would have issues with this though)
@Melimoo: Good luck finding better customer service, at any price, elsewhere. To simplify things, it might be worth your while to give moissyco another chance. I've just read so many positive reports about them, and also had a good experience personally, I doubt many other companies can match them. You could pay for a custom ring at a mom & pop jeweler (or from one of the custom jewelers online, like the person who made my setting) and maybe get better service. Although the Amora enhanced moissy is only available from moissyco or BTD.
Another correction for you re the loose stones: 1. The C&C warrenty of the stone is really useless, so it doesn't matter if you void it. 2. Moisssanite can withstand significantly more heat than diamond. No competent jeweler could crack it during setting -- are you sure you weren't reading reports about CZ? Either way, that's what insurance is for; my stone was insured while being set (tho I was worried about theft, not damange).
@valintine: I actually am giving moissaniteco another shot because Chris has responded to my e-mail. =) We'll see what type of customizations he can come up with, and if the price is still competitive with www.moissanitebrial.com (who has done an excellent job of customer service/pricing so far) and http://www.schubachjewelers.com (who has been extremely responsive with my inquiries). I'm beginning to become a happy bee in this situation.
Thanks everyone for your input!
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So I've been researching for me and my soon-to-be fiance' for engagement/wedding ring options. One thing I know for sure - we will not be going with a diamond (ethical/fianncial/non-conformity reasons). This being the case, I have been visiting websites, talking to customer service agents, and reading reviews to find out WHAT substitutes will look the greated/hold the highest value/and give us the biggest bang for our buck. This is what I've found:
www.Lab-Diamonds.com
This website has a LOT of options at really good prices (and seem to be able to customize anything without an extra charge)...but I've come to notice that their customer service is uber-slow (do they even CARE about my business?). There seems to only be one person answering e-mails and phone calls, and in the times I've called I feel like I am an after-thought. This kind of makes me worry about how great they'll be if something happens to the ring...or if I have an issue later. I DON'T want to jump through hoops to get help if I need it.
www.DiamondNexus.com
This company seems to have a lot of options...but from the reviews I've read (taking into consideration that not all reviews are true) and their prices, they seem to nickel and dime for services in addition to having higher prices than their compeitors (not to mention that they sell plated-settings, not full gold/platinum settings). Not the biggest bang for my buck.
www.MoissaniteCo.com
I was REALLY excited when I visited this website - they have a HUGE selection and video captures of their rings so you can see how they sparkle. They seem to have great prices and their settings are full gold (not plated)....unfortunately, when I did the chat option, the person I spoke with on both occasions (Kristen) couldn't answer any of my questions - but kept referring me to an e-mail address. What is the point of a quick chat option, if the person doesn't even seem to try and answer your questions but just refers to you an e-mail address?? Since the chat method was unhelpful, and Kristen told me there is no phone #'s I can call to speak to anyone, and they don't have any physical locations where I can go...I decided to e-mail my question. I still haven't received a response. This leaves me feeling even less secure than I am with Lab Diamonds, that I will be able to actually get help if I need it.
...and then today, I contacted www.moissanitebridal.com and am in communications with them to get a quote on a custom ring. So far, they seem really responsive so we'll see.
I feel like I've done SO much research and looking into this, my brain hurts, and I still don't have a clear answer. I am pretty much considering just going down to Robbins Brothers and purchasing and actual diamond ring - just to make this craziness end and get good customer service (When I contacted them with questions before, they were on top of it!! They'd be my first choice, even if they do have expensive prices, if they could set their rings with moissanite--which they don't).
Anyone have any advise on this??