Moissanite vs. Diamond

Find out how to select the perfect gemstone for you by learning the differences between moissanite and diamond in terms of durability, brightness, and color.

Benefits of Moissanite

Mining Free

Mining Free

Moissanite is lab created with minimal environmental impact.

Value

Value

Moissanite is less expensive per carat than many other gemstones.

Beauty & Quality

Durability

Moissanite gemstones are a 9.25 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, so they are suitable for everyday wear.

What is Moissanite?

As the saying goes, ``Moissanite was made in the heavens.`` Henri Moissan, a French scientist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his discovery, made the initial discovery in 1893. In a meteorite crater in Arizona, he found minute fragments of the gem that would one day bear his name. Initially, he assumed he had discovered diamonds, but later learned that the crystals were made of silicon carbide, not diamonds.

It is extremely hard to find natural moissanite, hence all moissanite accessible today is lab-created. In the end, the particles discovered by Moissan were successfully synthesized to generate one of the most dazzling jewels in the world after many years of trial and error.

As a diamond simulant, moistureite is designed to provide the illusion of similarity of a diamond, however it differs greatly in composition and appearance from a genuine diamond. It is clear that the two stones differ greatly in terms of durability, brilliance, and color. Moissanites and diamonds both have the attribute of being excellent thermal conductors as one of their shared characteristics.

Moissanite vs. Diamond

Moissanite Diamond

Durability

The Mohs Scale of Hardness analyzes a gem's resistance to surface scratching, and gemstones are rated on the Mohs scale.

 Moissanite gemstones have a Mohs hardness of 9.25, making them appropriate for everyday wear. Diamonds are the hardest mineral on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, with a score of 10. Diamonds are great for daily wear because of their outstanding hardness rating. This is one of the reasons why they are so popular as the focal point of engagement rings.

Brilliance

Light reflected from the gem's inside is known as brilliance.

 Moissanites have a unique brightness because of their faceting pattern, which differs from that of diamonds. Moistanites are prized by some for their blazing, rainbow-colored flashes, but others fear that the increased radiance of moissanites, especially in sunshine, can create a "disco ball" effect. The larger the moissanite, the more visible the difference will be. In comparison to real diamonds, moissanite has a refractive index of between 2.65 and 2.69. A moissanite can be distinguished from a diamond by a different type of brilliance. There are three methods in which diamonds reflect light. A diamond's brilliance and dispersion are both terms used to describe how light is reflected back from the stone. Scintillation, the diamond's surface sparkle, is a third sort of light return. Their integration gives diamonds their well-known radiance.

Color

The color of a gemstone is determined by its inherent or lack color.

 Despite their "colorless" moniker, moissanites can exhibit a yellowish or grayish tinge under certain lighting conditions. Here too, a moissanite's size has an effect on how noticeable the hue is. Natural or lab-created, a colorless diamond has a pure white look due to the absence of any yellow, brown, or gray specks in its composition.

Price

 Moissanites cost a fraction of what diamonds do for the same size. Size and whether the stone is Premium or Super Premium are the primary factors that affect price for moissanite diamonds. Dimensions such as carat weight, cut, color, and clarity all have an impact on the price of a diamond. Natural diamonds are more expensive; lab-created diamonds are cheaper.

Sourcing

 Those looking for an eco-friendly gemstone should consider moissanites because they are lab-created and do not need to be mined. Elleroses Diamonds, selected for their ethical and environmentally responsible origins, as well as lab generated diamonds, which are ethically grown with little environmental impact, go above and beyond the current industry standards.

Durability

Moissanite gemstones are a 9.25 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, so they are suitable for everyday wear.

Moissanite

On the Mohs scale, Moissanite gemstones are a 9.25 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, so they are suitable for everyday wear.

Diamond

Diamonds are the hardest known mineral and receive a 10 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. Because of this exceptional score, diamonds are very durable and ideal for every day wear. This contributes to their popularity as engagement rings’ center gemstones.

Brilliance

Brilliance refers to the appearance of light reflected from the interior of the gem.

Moissanite

Moissanites exhibit a different kind of brilliance than diamonds do, as their faceting pattern is different. The fiery, rainbow flashes emitted by moissanites are beloved by some, but others feel that moissanite’s heightened brilliance can create a “disco ball” effect, especially in sunlight. The bigger the moissanite, the more likely it is that the difference will be noticeable. Moissanite has a refractive index from 2.65 – 2.69, which is higher than a diamond.

Diamond

A different type of brilliance is what makes it possible to distinguish a moissanite from a diamond. Diamonds reflect light in three different ways. The white light reflected back is referred to as brilliance, while the rainbow of colors refracted through the diamond is referred to as dispersion. The surface sparkle of a diamond, known as scintillation, is a third type of diamond light return. The combination of these three gives diamonds their famous sparkle.

Color

Color is the natural color or lack of color visible within a gemstone.

Moissanite

While moissanites are labeled as “colorless”, the gems can still project a yellow or grayish hue in certain lights. Here again, the larger the moissanite, the more noticeable the color.

Diamond

A colorless diamond, whether natural or lab created, has a natural body color that contains no traces of yellow, brown, or grey, resulting in a dazzling, bright white appearance.

Price

Moissanite

For the same size from the top view, moissanites are dramatically lower in pricing than diamonds of that size. Moissanite gems typically vary in price only based on size and whether the stone is premium.

Diamond

Natural diamonds and lab created diamond prices vary based on shape, carat, cut, color, and clarity. Lab created diamonds are more affordable than natural diamonds.

Sourcing

Moissanite

Because moissanites are lab created, they are an appealing option for those seeking an eco-conscious gemstone as they require no mining.

Diamond

We go above and beyond the current industry standards to offer both Beyond Conflict Free ™ Diamonds that have been selected for their ethical and environmentally responsible origins, as well as lab created diamonds that are ethically grown with minimal environmental impact. Learn more.

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Moissanite

Diamond

The History of Moissanite

Moissanites don't need to be mined because they are grown in controlled circumstances using cutting-edge technology. Because of this, it is easy to trace their beginnings.

Lab-created moissanites having a lower carbon footprint and less environmental impact than natural gemstones. Fine jewelry produced from moissanites and recycled metals is an environmentally friendly option.

Selecting a Moissanite

Moissanites are assessed exclusively on color, unlike diamonds, which are graded on the 4 C's system (Cut, Clarity, Color, Carat). Moissanites of various grades have similar cut and clarity grades. Premium and Super Premium moissanite are available from Elleroses. Using the 4 C's scale, Premium moissanites are about a G or H, whereas Super Premium moissanites are practically colorless and lie between a D and an F.

When choosing a moissanite, many people wonder if it will look good like genuine diamonds. Rings with diamond embellishments set with Moissanites look stunning in fact. The oval moissanite in the image above is surrounded by diamonds in a three-stone setting.

Alternatives of Diamonds at Lower Costs

It is possible to set moissanite in your favorite Elleroses engagement ring settings, if you're looking to get engaged using the gemstone. If you're drawn to the cheaper price point but are concerned about the color or brilliance of the diamonds, you may want to look into other gemstone possibilities.

Lab Created Diamonds

There are significant savings to be had when purchasing a lab-created diamond over a comparable-sized and quality naturally-mined diamond. Lab-grown diamonds, in contrast to moissanite, share all the same physical, chemical, and visual characteristics as natural diamonds. They have the same sparkle, fire, and scintillation properties. In addition, because they don't have to be mined, they're a great choice for individuals who want to reduce their impact on the environment without sacrificing their jewelry's beauty.
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Dazzling Settings

Choosing a smaller center diamond and enhancing its visual impact with a more ornate setting is a great approach to get an engagement ring that fits within your budget. When you can get through with using smaller accent diamonds instead of larger center stones, you'll be able to create a stunning design without spending as much. A halo engagement ring makes the central stone appear larger since it surrounds it entirely with brilliant diamond accents. A three-stone arrangement, which places a lesser gem on either side of the central diamond, is another excellent choice.
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Moissanites FAQ

Are moissanite and diamond the same thing?

By looking through the crown of the stone at an angle using a loupe, you can tell moissanite from diamonds. Moissanite has a natural feature of double refraction, which is visible as two slightly blurred lines. Some forms make double refraction more obvious than others.

Will the brilliance of moissanite faded?

Moissanite’s radiance remains unaltered over time. The stone’s clarity and hue remain over time. Only dirt and grime can dull a ring’s radiance until it is thoroughly cleaned. Moissanite’s shine can be hampered if its surface is damaged, just like any other gemstone.

What is moissanite?

Henri Moissan, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist, found Moissanite at the site of a large meteorite hit in Arizona. It is a rare, naturally occurring mineral known as silicon carbide. It was named after him because of its interesting properties.

Is moissanite durable?

Engagement rings, which are frequently worn every day, are ideal for using Moissanite because it is one of the hardest known jewels. Moissanite stone has proven to be extremely hard and resistant to shattering and chipping in studies involving high pressure.

Is moissanite as good as a diamond in terms of quality and value?

By a handheld point test, Moissanite is the only gemstone that passes. Moissanite is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a stone that looks like a diamond but isn’t as expensive. Personal preference is all that matters in the end.