A diamond is often come into consideration when choosing the center stone of an engagement ring in the United States. While there are other options that can make an engagement ring just as beautiful. Another clear gemstone that is extremely durable is Moissanite. With that in mind, let's compare diamonds vs moissanite by ways to produce, color, hardness, brilliance, and price.
Moissanite vs Diamond: ways to produce (Made in a Lab vs. Natural in Earth)
Moissanite in jewelry is made in a lab, 'tis true. But that's only because it's extremely rare in nature. In fact, the only natural moissanite ever found came to earth on a meteorite! But here's the thing, because moissanite is made in a lab, it's sustainable, it's beautiful, and we can double down on the affordability because they cost far less than lab diamonds. It's a double win to go with the double sparkle.
Moissanite vs Diamond: Color
Mined diamonds come in a variety of colors ranging from icy-white clear to yellow or gray hues. Like snowflakes, no two mined diamonds will be the same. A mined gemstone's range of color variation is due to environmental factors the gemstone was naturally growing in. The more clear or white a diamond appears, the more valuable and desirable it is considered to consumers.
Moissanite, on the other hand, originates from space meteorites and is not a gem you find naturally on Earth. Due to this fact, all Moissanite gems are lab-created because sourcing its natural form is nearly impossible in nature. Since new Moissanites are grown in labs, the environment the gemstone grows in can be controlled and regulated for the most consistent and best production results.
Moissanites available on the market today are colorless. Moissanites range from colors equivalent to D-I range, or the two highest tiers on the color scale. All Moissanites and Moissanite engagement rings found on our website are from Charles and Colvard's Forever One collection, which are the highest quality stones available on the market today. They are guaranteed to be DEF in color and VS2 clarity or better.
Moissanite vs Diamond: Hardness
The harder a material, the more difficult it is to scratch or chip. While no gemstone is indestructible, some gemstones are slightly harder and more durable for daily wear. On the Mohs Scale of Hardness, Moissanite is rated as a 9.5 out of 10, which is higher than any gemstone used in jewelry besides Diamond itself. Diamonds are the hardest known mineral, scoring a 10. For durability reference, rubies and sapphires have a Mohs score of 9, and emeralds have a score of 7.
Moissanite vs Diamond: Brilliance
Brilliance, which refers to the gemstone's ability to reflect white light, is a good measure of how much ‘sparkle and fire’ a gem has. Brilliance relies on the gemstone's refraction. Moissanite disperses light very well and has higher light refraction than Diamond and will appear more brilliant. Additionally, Moissanite is less likely to attract grease or dirt over time than a Diamond due to its crystalline structure which should help keep the ‘sparkle’ longer between cleanings.
Moissanite vs Diamond: Price
Overall, Moissanite is a fraction of the high cost of a Diamond. This is primarily due to supply and demand since Diamonds are still fairly popular in the US for engagement rings. While a Diamond’s price varies based on cut, clarity, carat, and other individual characteristics like setting. Moissanite stones are usually the same price and will vary incrementally with the size and shape of the stone.
So What is Moissanite Exactly?
- Moissanite deposits are extremely rare on Earth. Technically, it's a precious gemstone that comes from space. This brilliant stone was initially discovered by Nobel Prize winner Dr. Henri Moissan back in 1893, amongst the remnants of an ancient meteor crater in Arizona.
- This remarkable diamond-like stone displayed superior brilliance, fire, luster, and hardness. Due to the rarity of natural moissanite, there’s no way to collect enough to form a single piece of jewelry. Even scouring natural moissanite stone deposits in areas like Wyoming and Russia couldn't yield enough material to make a set of earrings.
- However, while researching to answer questions regarding what moissanite is, science was able to create a moissanite stone using a laboratory and an artisan's touch. Years of research, testing, and errors eventually lead scientists to artificially create a moissanite diamond from silicon carbide formed as a single crystal. This lavish gemstone is now available to those who want to buy a conflict-free and environmentally friendly alternative to a diamond.
Some may believe moissanite to be a "fake diamond". While a comparison will show some similarities, there are notable differences (as we covered above). And let's see details as listed below:
Moissanite is an alternative of diamond
- Discovered by the French chemist Henri Moissanite in 1893 and was introduced to jewelry market as a diamond alternative in 1998 after Charles & Colvard, Moissanite is a naturally occurring silicon carbide and its various crystalline polymorphs is a rare mineral that is wide for commercial and industrial applications due to its hardness, optical properties, and thermal conductivity.
- Moissanite is one of the hardest substances known which just below that of diamond. Diamonds are usually too costy to be used as anvils, thus moissanite would be the way to go . It is forever brilliant, and forever classic.
Satrao jewelry always insists on high-end VVS1/VVS2, D-F color grade moissanite jewelries under the guidance of cost-effective for our customers
- Diamond clarity is a measure of the purity and rarity of the gemstone, moissanite reflects all characteristics of real diamond.
- Diamonds color grading is a measure of quality of gemstone, an excellent diamond/moissanite is clean, clear, bright and sparkly, transparent and colorless.