[city41]

> There are NOT noticeable differences between a $30k diamond and a $3k moissanite stone

My wife and I felt the same way too, until we actually compared them. The sparkle and brilliance in the diamond was dramatically better than any other stone we compared it to. We went into ring shopping pretty determined to not get a diamond, and yet still bought one.

[pen2l]

Which stones did you compare it to? The stones available in the shop? That's the problem -- there are cheaper alternatives that have a shine comparable to diamonds, but not very widely available in brick and mortar stores. You were kind of had by salesman gimmicks.

[delg]

This is rich. The whitest moissanite is still going to be obviously doubly refractive, pretty limited in cut options (make terrible step cuts for example) and is generally an inferior substitute to the vastly cheaper common CZ. If you are upset that the value of diamond is all in branding, then run to moissanite, which actually IS sold exclusively by a monopoly until this August...

[samjordan2]

Do you know what double refractive is? How can it be "generally inferior" and also have more sparkle?

[delg]

What's the end goal for a diamond simulant? To be sparkly, or to resemble naturally-mined diamond?

[pekk]

My compliments to the salesperson.

[samjordan2]

That is great that you like the product that you bought.