Moissanite Vs. Diamonds - What You Need to Know
When selecting a gemstone, you must consider the appearance and durability of the stone. Moissanite and Diamonds are beautiful but have distinct qualities that make them stand out.
Moissanite is a crystal that shines with incredible brilliance. While it can occur naturally, it’s most often lab-grown today.
Color
While diamonds and Moissanite sparkle with captivating colors, their fire is distinct. Moissanite’s rainbow flashes are like fireworks across the spectrum, whereas a diamond’s brilliance emanates in pure, icy white, leaving some to wonder: is Moissanite a real diamond after all?
Diamonds are made of carbon, while Moissanite is created from silicon carbide. Moissanite can occur naturally, but most of the moissanite gems for sale today are created in laboratories. As a result, Moissanite can be less expensive than diamonds.
It is easy for jewelry experts to identify Moissanite as a convincing diamond simulant, but the average consumer may notice slight differences in beauty. For example, Moissanite has more fire, a colorful sparkle like rainbows, than diamonds, producing only white light flashes.
In addition to various sizes and settings, Moissanite is available in color grades that rival diamonds, including the rare near-colorless with icy blue tints. It also has a higher hardness than diamond, meaning it resists chipping and breaking better.
Unlike diamonds, which vary in price based on the 4 Cs (cut, clarity, carat, and color), moissanites are priced chiefly by size. This makes it easier for shoppers to find a perfect gem at a reasonable cost. Lastly, many people shop for Moissanite to avoid supporting the mining of precious gems often mined by child labor.
Clarity
Diamonds are graded for their clarity by GIA on a scale that measures both external blemishes and internal inclusions. Moissanite can also have inclusions but is less common than in diamonds. Moissanites are created in controlled laboratories, which limits the occurrence of natural blemishes and inclusions. They can still contain needle-like inclusions, which are only visible under magnification but do not affect the gemstone’s beauty.
As the heirloom-quality alternative to diamonds, Moissanite is the perfect choice for those who want a gorgeous gem that looks like a diamond at a fraction of the price. But, while they look similar, several differences between the two stones set them apart. Having an understanding of these differences will help you decide whether or not Moissanite is the right fit for your style and budget.
Size
While diamonds are often touted as the hardest naturally occurring gemstone, moissanites have a higher scratch resistance on the Mohs scale. Moissanite only occurs in trace amounts, and most jewelry featuring this gemstone is crafted from synthetic Moissanite.
Moissanites are lab-created and much cheaper than natural diamonds. This can be a significant benefit for those who are shopping on a budget or those who may have ethical concerns about sourcing diamonds from mines that use slave labor and deadly working conditions.
However, the lower price point of moissanites can also make them less valuable than a diamond. While a one-carat diamond may be worth thousands of dollars, a similar size moissanite will only cost you a few hundred dollars. This is because diamonds have a different look, perform differently, and are far rarer than Moissanite or other diamond simulants such as cubic zirconia. This is why it’s essential to understand how a gem’s value is determined and what characteristics you should consider when comparing stones for sale.
Brilliance
Diamonds are famous for their sparkle, but Moissanite can rival them in this category. This is due to its exceptional brilliance, which results from a high refractive index and unique ability to disperse light in all directions. The result is a gem that can look sparkly – especially in larger sizes and under certain lighting conditions.
Moissanite’s ability to refract light also helps it outperform diamonds in terms of fire. This fire can be seen as a rainbow effect that shows off the gemstone’s natural beauty.
Another benefit of Moissanite is its price. The diamond industry keeps its prices artificially high by tightly controlling supply. At the same time, Moissanite is a relatively common natural stone that can be bought in large quantities for a fraction of the cost of a comparable diamond. This is excellent news for consumers looking to purchase an engagement ring on a budget or for ethical reasons. It is worth noting that this price difference isn’t due to a reduction in the quality of the stones; both diamonds and Moissanite are of high quality.
Price
Moissanite is a durable gemstone that is less likely to chip or break than diamond. It also takes about twice as much pressure to break a diamond as it does Moissanite. Diamonds, however, can still chip or crack, mainly if worn frequently, and the hardness of a gem depends on its cut. Moissanite and cubic zirconia (another common diamond alternative) are more durable than a traditional engagement ring made of natural diamond.
While some consumers prefer diamonds for their tradition, prestige, or natural origins, others choose Moissanite as an ethical and cost-effective alternative. It is essential to consider all these factors before purchasing your perfect gem.