The Micoryan Journal

yellow moissanite halo pendant necklace in sterling silver
Yellow Moissanite: The Complete Guide
Yellow moissanite explained — its warm golden sparkle, how it compares to yellow diamonds, and how to wear it. Read more...
pink moissanite halo pendant necklace in sterling silver
Pink Moissanite Jewellery: Rings, Necklaces & More
Pink moissanite jewellery — the romantic blush stone in rings, necklaces and earrings, and how to style it. Read more...
rainbow moissanite pendant necklace in 925 sterling silver
Rainbow Moissanite: What It Is & How to Wear It
Rainbow moissanite — what gives it that multicoloured fire, and how to wear the bold, playful look. Read more...
Heart moissanite halo ring in sterling silver, close up
Do Moissanite Rings Look Fake? An Honest Answer
Worried a moissanite ring will look fake or cheap? The honest truth about what gives moissanite away, how to make it look its most natural, and why it isn't an... Read more...
Rainbow moissanite statement ring, 2 carat, in sterling silver
Moissanite vs Lab-Grown Diamond: Which Diamond Alternative Is Right for You?
Moissanite and lab-grown diamond are the two most popular diamond alternatives — but they're not the same thing. An honest comparison of look, hardness, price, testing and resale, so you... Read more...
Heart moissanite halo ring, a 0.5ct VVS1 lab-created moissanite in sterling silver
Moissanite Colour & Clarity Grades Explained (And Which to Choose)
Confused by “D-E-F”, “near-colourless” and “VVS1” on moissanite listings? Here's what moissanite colour and clarity grades actually mean, why clarity rarely matters, why cut matters most, and which grade to... Read more...
Rainbow moissanite statement ring in 925 sterling silver
Why Lab-Created Stones Are Changing Jewellery for the Better
Lab-created stones have gone from curiosity to mainstream in a few short years — and largely for good reasons. Here's an honest look at what's actually changed: ethics, price, quality... Read more...
Moissanite teardrop pendant necklace in 925 sterling silver
Why Moissanite Is the Smarter Everyday Choice for Most People
Moissanite isn't a diamond substitute you settle for — for most people it's the more sensible stone to actually live in. Here's the honest case: the durability, the fire, the... Read more...
Gold-plated jewellery set with white enamel square pendants and emerald-green cubic zirconia stones.
Moissanite vs Cubic Zirconia: Choosing Your Diamond Alternative
Both are popular diamond alternatives, but they aren't the same. An honest comparison of moissanite and cubic zirconia — hardness, sparkle, longevity and price. Read more...
Triple-strand bracelet with Tianshan jade beads, freshwater pearls and a hand-carved jade flower charm.
Natural Stone & Crystal Jewellery: Meanings and How to Wear Them
Rose quartz, amethyst, jade, turquoise, larimar and agate each carry traditional meanings. An honest guide to the folklore — and how to wear the stones. Read more...
Delicate sterling silver necklace with a flower-shaped pendant featuring a green centre moissanite and clear accents.
Fancy-Colour Moissanite Explained: Yellow, Green, Blue, Pink & Rainbow
Moissanite doesn't only come colourless. An honest guide to yellow, green, blue, pink and rainbow moissanite — what gives each stone its colour, and how to wear it. Read more...
Jewellery set with green teardrop gemstones
Coloured Gemstones Guide: Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald and Beyond
A friendly guide to the world's favourite coloured gemstones — what they are, their colours and hardness, and what to know before you buy. Read more...
Round brilliant moissanite ring in sterling silver
Diamond Shapes Explained: Round, Oval, Emerald, Princess and More
Round, oval, emerald, princess, pear, cushion and marquise — what each diamond shape actually looks like, how they differ, and how to choose the one that suits you. Read more...
Triple-strand bracelet with Tianshan jade beads, freshwater pearls and a hand-carved jade flower charm.
The Mohs Scale: How Scratch-Proof Is Your Jewellery, Really?
From soft amber to unscratchable diamond — a visual guide to the Mohs hardness scale, what it means for everyday wear, and why your pearls should never share a pouch... Read more...
Sterling silver necklace with a circular geometric pendant featuring a central moissanite and radial baguette pattern.
Born in a Meteorite: The Strange True Story of How Moissanite Was Discovered
Moissanite was first found in fragments of a meteorite crater — and the chemist who discovered it initially thought he'd found diamonds. The true story of Henri Moissan, his Nobel... Read more...
Gold-plated jewellery set with white enamel square pendants and emerald-green cubic zirconia stones.
What Is Cubic Zirconia? An Honest Guide to CZ Jewellery
Cubic zirconia is one of the most misunderstood stones in jewellery. Here's what CZ actually is, how it compares with moissanite and diamond, and when it's a genuinely smart buy. Read more...
Stud earrings with cream freshwater pearls surrounded by pavé crystals on rhodium-plated silver setting.
What Are Baroque Pearls? Why Perfectly Imperfect Pearls Are Everywhere
Baroque pearls — the irregular, one-of-a-kind shapes once rejected by tradition — are now the most fashionable pearls in the world. What they are, the famous history, and how to... Read more...
Gold vermeil chain with iridescent star-shaped baroque pearls and small round freshwater pearl drops on cream background.
Pearl Sizes Explained: What 4mm to 12mm Actually Looks Like
Pearl prices jump dramatically with every millimetre — but bigger isn't automatically better. What each size range looks like when worn, and how to pick the right one for studs,... Read more...
18K gold-plated necklace and earrings with green amber pendants featuring golden inclusions.
What Is Green Amber? And How to Tell Real Amber from Fake
Amber isn't a stone at all — it's fossilised tree resin millions of years old. What makes green amber special, the honest truth about how it gets its colour, and... Read more...
Sterling silver cushion halo pendant necklace with a 2ct moissanite centre stone on a delicate box chain.
The 4Cs of Diamonds Explained: Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat
Cut, colour, clarity, carat — the grading system behind every diamond price tag, explained in plain English, plus the smart-buyer tricks that save real money without visible difference. Read more...
Adjustable sterling silver ring with a round pink moissanite centre stone and pavé crystal detailing.
How to Tell if a Diamond Is Real: Home Tests and What Actually Requires a Professional
The fog test, the newspaper test, UV light — which home diamond tests actually work, which are myths, and why even jewellers' thermal testers can be fooled by moissanite. Read more...
Triple-strand bracelet with Tianshan jade beads, freshwater pearls and a hand-carved jade flower charm.
Birthstones by Month: The Complete Guide
All twelve birthstones — from January's garnet to December's turquoise — with the meaning behind each stone and honest notes on which ones need gentle care. Read more...
Sterling silver cushion halo pendant necklace with a 2ct moissanite centre stone on a delicate box chain.
Lab-Grown Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds: What's Actually Different?
Lab-grown diamonds are chemically identical to mined ones — so why the price gap? How they're made, how they're graded, the honest truth about resale value, and where moissanite fits... Read more...
Beaded necklace with baroque pearls, turquoise stones and gold accents featuring a large pearl pendant.
Freshwater vs Saltwater Pearls: Types of Pearls Explained
Freshwater, Akoya, Tahitian, South Sea, baroque — pearl names can be confusing. What each type actually is, how they differ in look and price, and why baroque pearls are having... Read more...
Sterling silver cushion halo pendant necklace with a 2ct moissanite centre stone on a delicate box chain.
Moissanite vs Diamond: An Honest Comparison
Moissanite sparkles more, costs a fraction of the price, and is nearly as hard — so what's the catch? A fact-based comparison of moissanite and diamond, from a store that... Read more...
Gold vermeil chain with iridescent star-shaped baroque pearls and small round freshwater pearl drops on cream background.
How to Tell if Pearls Are Real: 7 Simple Tests Anyone Can Do
Worried your pearls might be imitation? Here are 7 simple, honest tests — from the classic tooth test to checking lustre and drill holes — to help you tell real... Read more...
Beaded necklace with baroque pearls, turquoise stones and gold accents featuring a large pearl pendant.
Pearl Jewellery vs Diamond Jewellery: Which Should You Choose?
Pearl jewellery and diamond jewellery are two of the most enduring choices in fine jewellery — but they have very different looks, feels and price points. This guide helps you... Read more...
Gold vermeil chain with iridescent star-shaped baroque pearls and small round freshwater pearl drops on cream background.
The Complete Guide to Freshwater Pearl Jewellery: How to Buy, Style and Care for Pearls
Freshwater pearl jewellery is more beautiful, varied and accessible than ever. Whether you're buying your first pearl necklace, looking for pearl earrings as a gift, or wondering how to style... Read more...