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Kristen Swain

Wedding Lover at Love You Tomorrow

Kristen loves to write about weddings! She’s got a few tips and tricks up her sleeve that not many brides think of, because of how long she’s been involved in the wedding planning community. Having planned her own wedding, she’s speaking from personal experience when she guides you through the do’s and don’ts of your big day.

Latest posts by Kristen Swain (see all)

• Best Six Carat Diamond Ring Ideas - June 1, 2023
• White Gold vs Silver: Breaking Down the Differences - April 23, 2023
• Moissanite Eternity Band Ideas You will Love! - September 28, 2022

Many people have discovered the well-kept secret that Moissanite looks startlingly like a diamond and are now shopping for Moissanite Necklaces. Moissanite has more fire and sparkle than diamonds and is a lot less expensive. Let’s find out more about Moissanite and get the Best Moissanite Necklace Ideas available online.

All about Moissanite

Moissanite is just a fake diamond-like cubic zirconia, right? No, Moissanite is a real gemstone that is almost as hard as diamonds. Moissanite is a gemstone that has gained popularity in recent years. First brought to the gemstone market in 1998, this gemstone is quickly becoming a favorite of those looking to mimic diamonds or who are impressed by Moissanite’s better sparkle and fire in comparison to diamonds. 

Henri Moissan first discovered Moissanite in 1893; it was later named after him in appreciation of his work around the gemstone. Originally, the gem was found in rock samples around a meteor crater. Initially, he thought that he had discovered diamonds, but eleven years later found that these crystals were silicon carbide, and diamonds are made entirely of carbon. Moissanite occurs naturally, only in trace elements in very rare circumstances, and is thought to come from outer space, where it forms outside of our solar system. 

Fortunately, just two years before Moissan discovered that Moissanite was silicon carbide, Edward Acheson created a process to manufacture the silicon carbide for commercial application. In 1987, Cree Research created a process to make large single crystals which later were turned into high-quality Moissanite. The company, Charles & Colvard, became the only jewelry company to hold the patent and market the alternative diamond gems in 1995. Around 2018, all the patents had expired on the process, so Moissanite became available on the market as more jewelry companies joined in the gemstone sales. 

Moissanite has joined White Sapphire as the two most common diamond alternatives for engagement rings and wedding bands. White Sapphire has a  grayer sparkle to a diamonds mix of white and rainbow fire, and Moissanite has more rainbow sparkle than the white fire of a diamond. 

Alternatives to Moissanite

Moissanite is the alternative gemstone to diamond, but there are other alternatives to the gemstone as well. Here are a few other gemstones that you may want to consider as alternatives to Moissanite. 

White Topaz:

White Topaz is a clear, colorless stone in its most natural form; Topaz gains colors when it has certain additional elements and inclusions. White Topaz is an alternative stone to both Diamonds and Moissanite. White Topaz is a good choice if you are looking for a lower-priced natural stone. Topaz is not as hard on the Moh scale, and Cubic Zirconia and Moissanite are preferred as their harness and sparkle resemble a diamond more closely than Topaz. 

White Sapphire:

This clear gemstone is one of the most popular gemstones alternatively to Diamonds and could also substitute for Moissanite. However, they have a gray-white sparkle and are not as similar to a diamond as Moissanite. White Sapphire is one of the most common colors of Corundum and is the natural color of the mineral. White Sapphire needs regular cleaning to continue to sparkle and can also require polishing. Sapphire is high on the MOH scale of hardness and is a good choice for daily wear. 

Cubic Zirconia:

Assumed to be plastic and cheap, Cubic Zirconia is a stone made of a crystalized form of zirconium dioxide and is on the lower end of the MOH scale of hardness. Cubic Zirconia is environmentally friendlier than diamonds but is about the same as Moissanite, as both are lab-created. Cubic Zirconia is almost worthless as a gemstone without the setting but can make for an inexpensive alternative while you wait to save money or if there is a danger in losing or damaging a piece of expensive jewelry. Cubic Zirconia is the least expensive stone alternative.

The Best Moissanite Necklace Ideas

Solitaires

Moissanite Pendant Necklace White Gold Plated S925 Sterling Silver Moissanite 

With a sterling silver wheat chain included, this pretty solitaire rests inside a cushion-style setting. A double halo of cubic zirconia is set into the sterling silver setting. The stone size is customizable, and you can get a one, two, or three-carat Moissanite stone. The bale of the pendant holds a small round drop stone and has a polished silver bale. This dime-sized pendant has a super-sized amount of sparkle and is a great daily solitaire. 

Kini Jewel- Moissanite Necklace Round Solitaire 14K White Gold Classic Pendant

With a hidden bale under the Moissanite stone, this solitaire floats on the necklace. The silver setting is almost invisible as the prongs are small and allow the gem to be the only part of the necklace to be seen. The sixteen-inch sterling silver holds the two-carat stone around the base of the neck, allowing the solitaire to show, even with crew neck shirts. This necklace is all about showing off the Moissanite quality and sparkle. Simple and everlasting, this is the stone and little else. 

Solitaire Emerald-Cut Moissanite Necklace Pendant 

Most solitaires are round, and I like this emerald cut for its beautiful shape and beveling. This one carat Moissanite is set into a polished sterling silver setting without other decoration. The bale is a smooth rounded piece, and the mounting and prongs are polished smooth as well. The included box chain is sixteen inches long with an extender of eighteen inches. 

Pendant

1.64 ct. t.w. Moissanite Heart Pendant 18″ Necklace in Sterling Silver 

Dangling from an eighteen-inch cable chain necklace, this one carat heart-shaped Moissanite stone is surrounded by a heart-shaped halo. Moissanites of varying sizes create the halo and continue on the bale as well. The bale loops over and splits to hold the heart stone evenly, and there is a little over a half-carat total additional Moissanites on the bale and halo. 

14k Gold Vermeil 925 Silver Cross Pendant MOISSANITE Necklace

A simple cross is almost a basic need in jewelry. This blinged outcross can be purchased in several sizes and comes with gold vermeil over the sterling silver bale. Eleven round Moissanites are shaped into a cross shape and have the signature rainbow fire of Moissanite. This small but beautiful cross will be a go-to piece for many years. A cross can always be worn as an ornamental piece, or for deep convictions, this piece is going to sparkle in low lights and be a very eye-catching Moissanite pendant. 

Elegant Essence Sky – 5 Carat Moissanite Pendant Necklace White Gold Plated S925 Sterling Silver Moissanite Pendant

This is such a sweet flower charm pendant. The center stone is a full five-carat stone and is surrounded by eight cubic zirconias in the prong settings. The prong shapes are little hearts and add the perfect detailing to this sweet charm. The metal setting is white gold plated sterling silver, so you know that this flower-looking pendant is going to look good for years. 

1.26 CTW DEW Cushion Near-Colorless Moissanite Halo Pendant in Sterling Silver

Ex’s and O’s is what I thought of when I came upon this fun necklace. Over one and a quarter carats total weight in this necklace, including the large center stone. Surrounded by a halo of additional Moissanites that also continue up the crossed bale, the center stone takes front and center. The crossed bale and halo are paving stones that will glitter from within the polished sterling silver setting. This pendant comes with an eighteen-inch chain which is a lovely length for low collared shirts. 

Tennis Choker Necklace

MK Jewels Usa 14K Gold Moissanite Diamond Tennis Necklace Oval Choker Chain Women’s Necklace 

If this tennis necklace was made with real diamonds of the same quality that Moissanites are, the necklace value would be close to several hundred thousand dollars. The necklace is utterly stunning and sparkles like a disco ball. The approximate total carat weight is over one hundred and ninety carats of Moissanite. The oval stones change in size from almost identical for the first few at the clasp, increasing until the center point of the choker. Although the metal can be changed upon request, not much of it shows behind the large gems. The clasp is well hidden under an oval Moissanite as well. 

0.5ctw Moissanite Necklace 925 Sterling Silver Choker 

This five-stone choker necklace is sweet and simple. The total stone weight is half of a carat in Moissanite gems. Every single stone is one-tenth of a carat, giving this light, airy necklace a bit of sparkle. The five stones are separately mounted on the necklace chain at individual points and dangle from the sterling silver chain. At a comfortable sixteen inches, this choker style will rest at the base of the throat instead of being taut against your neck.

We Are Chaination Moissanite Diamond 925 Sterling Silver Tennis Necklace Choker Chain

This is the typical style of choker that comes to mind when looking for a gemstone tennis necklace. These Moissanite are all sized to the same size to create a beautifully sparkling tennis necklace. This necklace has a variety of sizes and metals that can be chosen to be customized, and the sterling silver is my favorite as it blends in with the white sparkle of the stones. 

Heavy Jewelry Paradise 8mm luxury jewelry one-row Moissanite iced out choker necklace Cuban link necklace for women.

This choker has Moissanite gems on every flat surface of the necklace. Each link of the necklace glitters with three pave Moissanite gems. The clasp is also covered in gemstones to have a completely glittered choker. The double clasp ensures that the necklace will be secure on your neck, no worrying about accidentally losing it while you are out on the town. This heavy chain choker is a definite statement piece with tons of sparkle. 

Three Stone Necklaces

Miadora 1 2/5ct Moissanite Graduated Three-Stone Drop Necklace in Sterling Silver

This graduated stone necklace has a teardrop effect, with the stones layering the smallest at the top to the largest at the bottom of the necklace. The Moissanites measure from four millimeters to six millimeters in diameter. The polished sterling silver setting holds the stones securely while allowing the glittering Moissanite to shine from the eighteen-inch cable chain. The open and raised backings of the gemstones allow light to enter from the sides and reflect the rainbow fire out of the front of the gemstone. 

The New Vintage Store Three Stone Pendant, 1.10 Ct 14K White Gold Moissanite Round Cut Pendant 

I like that this three-stone necklace isn’t the typical vertical setting but is side by side, much like a ring would be. The two side stones are smaller than the center stone and act as accent stones. The pendant does not come with a necklace, so that is customizable to your own choice and metal color. The bales on the necklace are on the sides of the pendan so that the necklace loops through the two bales to hold the pendant horizontally. Essentially, the pendant slides along the necklace center point, giving the pendant uniqueness and a different way to catch the light.

SHE·SAID·YES “Nobody Compares To You” Round Cut Necklace

A three-stone triangular design is both fun and unique. Three equal-sized Moissanite stones form a pyramid to catch and throw the Moissanite brilliance. This necklace isn’t pendant-style, as the necklace is attached to the bales and is approximately 18 inches long. The bottom stone creates a center point on the stone trio to place the necklace at the perfect spot on your breastbone.

GemLux Studio Certified Moissanite Diamond Pear Cut DEF With Natural Diamond Side Stone Three Stone Pendant With Necklace White Gold

This beautiful tear dropped shaped pendant features three pear-shaped Moissanites, that each stone has a matching teardrop halo. The pendant is a mix of Moissanite and Diamond. The large stone is an almost two-carat pear-shaped Moissanite with a diamond halo. The two smaller stones are a little over a quarter carat in total weight, and there are forty-six small diamonds in total, including in the halos of the larger gemstones. The stones are set in a white gold prong setting that is raised from the setting to allow light to enter from the sides of the pendant to add additional sparkle to the stones. The included beaded chain is eighteen inches long and is a matching metal color.

FAQS

Bottomline

Moissanite, lovely Moissanite, how I love thee. From the hardness that allows it to be worn daily to the lovely glittering sparkle, I honestly have decided I never need another diamond in my life as long as I can have Moissanite. With the cost savings, I can genuinely say that Moissanite is so much more affordable than Diamonds but looks so similar. For the price of one Diamond necklace, you can purchase quite a few Moissanite necklaces. I have a hard time choosing favorites, so having a few beautiful gemstone necklaces is something I’m excited about. I suggest buying a few pendants and a good quality chain in your favorite length and switching out your pendants daily. This is such a beautiful way to show off your favorite pieces and a nice way to incorporate Moissanite into your daily wardrobe.

Looking for more interesting readings? Check out:

• Morganite vs Moissanite Ring: What’s Better?
• Moissanite vs White Sapphire: Which Is the Perfect Stone for You?
• Forever One Moissanite Review and Guide