Your Guide to the Best Diamond, Gemstone, & Moissanite Jewelry Online by Aurelia

"Better" depends on your priorities. Diamonds are the hardest natural gemstone, offering timeless tradition. Moissanite is nearly as hard, offers more fire and brilliance (sparkle), and provides exceptional value. For custom rings and a vast inventory, we recommend browsing diamonds at Blue Nile.

Yes, absolutely. Lab-grown diamonds are physically, chemically, and optically identical to natural diamonds. They are real diamonds with a known, ethical origin, offering excellent value. Both James Allen and Blue Nile have extensive inventories of high-quality, certified lab-grown diamonds.

The Round Brilliant cut is engineered to produce the most sparkle (brilliance and fire) of any diamond shape. Its 58 facets are perfectly placed to maximize light return. Other shapes known for their exceptional sparkle include the Cushion, Oval, and Princess cuts. You can compare the sparkle of different shapes in 360° HD on James Allen.

In the USA, the most popular carat size for a diamond engagement ring is between 1.0 and 1.2 carats. However, the "best" carat size depends entirely on personal preference and budget. Retailers like Blue Nile allow you to filter diamonds by any carat weight to find the perfect stone for you.

For the average person, it is very difficult to tell the difference without a closer look. The most noticeable distinction is moissanite's fiery, rainbow-like sparkle compared to a diamond's white sparkle. Gemologists can distinguish them with professional tools, but visually, they are remarkably similar.

Both are top-tier online retailers with excellent reputations. James Allen is famous for its 360° high-definition videos of every diamond. Blue Nile is renowned for its massive inventory and build-your-own-ring tool. The choice often comes down to personal preference for their website experience.

The 4Cs are the global standard for assessing diamond quality: Cut (how well the diamond's facets interact with light), Color (the absence of color), Clarity (the absence of inclusions and blemishes), and Carat (the diamond's weight). Of these, Cut has the greatest influence on a diamond's beauty.

Yes, certain gemstones are excellent for engagement rings. Sapphires and rubies are the best choices as they are very durable (9 on the Mohs scale). They offer a unique and colorful alternative to traditional diamonds. Blue Nile has a beautiful selection of sapphire, ruby, and emerald engagement rings.

The old "three months' salary" rule is an outdated marketing myth. You should spend whatever amount you are comfortable and happy with. The beauty of online retailers like James Allen and Blue Nile is that they allow you to set your own budget and find the best possible diamond within it.

"Eye-clean" means that a diamond's inclusions (internal flaws) are not visible to the naked eye. Choosing an eye-clean diamond in the SI1 or SI2 clarity range is one of the smartest ways to save money without compromising the stone's visible beauty.

No, high-quality moissanite will not get cloudy or lose its sparkle over time. Like diamonds, moissanite is a durable stone that can last a lifetime. It resists dirt and oil well, and regular cleaning will keep it looking as brilliant as the day you bought it.

The "best" setting balances your personal style with security for the stone. A solitaire setting is classic and timeless, a halo setting makes the center stone appear larger, and a pavé band adds extra sparkle. Both white gold and platinum are excellent, durable choices for the metal.

At Aurelia, we have a rigorous vetting process. We recommend jewelers based on their reputation for quality, ethical sourcing standards, inventory size, customer service reviews, and overall value. We only partner with retailers we would confidently recommend to our own family and friends.

Yes, and you absolutely should. Reputable online jewelers like Blue Nile and James Allen provide access to the GIA or IGI certificate for every diamond they sell, allowing you to review its grades before you make a purchase.

Fire, or dispersion, refers to the colorful flashes of light that a gemstone reflects. When white light enters a stone, it splits into its spectral colors, creating a rainbow-like effect. Moissanite is famous for having significantly more fire than a diamond.