Moissanite VS Diamond

What is natural diamond?

Natural diamonds may be the eighth wonder in the world. Only a few miles below the earth's surface, where extreme pressure and temperature react with carbon minerals, can natural diamonds form over many years. It is only after the eruption of the volcano that they are brought to the surface and can be found by miners, and we can add that in rare cases. The original diamonds mined are then cut into beautiful gems for diamond jewelry by skilled diamond cutters.

Natural diamond substitutes

As we all know, diamonds are in great demand, so their prices are also high. Because of the manpower and resources required to transport diamonds from the earth to the jewelry showcase, the price is also high.

For this reason, and more, many people are looking for alternatives to traditional diamond mining.

What is a simulated diamond?

For a long time, the flame and light of natural diamonds have been the dream of many people. Of course, considering the huge demand for this gem, its cost is amazing. In order to offset the cost while maintaining the beauty of natural diamonds, creators simulate diamonds.

A simulated diamond or diamond analog, such as nexus diamond ™ Another option is a stone that looks like a natural diamond but has a slightly different chemical composition.

What is laboratory diamond?

Similar to simulated diamonds, laboratory diamonds are grown in a controlled environment in the laboratory. However, unlike simulated diamonds, laboratory diamonds have the same chemical composition as natural diamonds. That is, they are made of carbon exposed to extreme pressure and temperature. The purpose of the laboratory process is to simulate the process that natural diamonds go through under the surface.

What is Moissanite?

First, moissanite is not a diamond at all. This is a completely different kind of natural gem. Just like a diamond, it was formed on earth. Unlike diamond, it is made of silicon carbide. Moissanite was first discovered in a crater in 1893 by French scientist Henri Moissan, who dubbed it "the gem from the stars."

In addition, natural moissanite is extremely rare. When it does occur in nature, it's like tiny crystals, too small to cut gems big enough to make jewelry. Therefore, it is usually created in a laboratory.

Similar to lab-grown diamonds, lab-grown moissanite is chemically identical to its natural counterpart, but much less expensive. Although it has its own chemical composition, moissanite is often confused with diamond because it can also be white and shine beautifully. This, combined with its incredible affordability, has made moissanite popular in engagement rings and other fine jewelry.

Moissanite vs Diamond

While lab diamonds and imitation diamonds are also excellent substitutes for diamonds, our focus here is on a comparison of moissanite to diamonds.

In this side-by-side comparison guide for moissanite and diamonds, you'll learn about the key differences between these two precious gemstones so you can better determine which is right for you.

Chemical

As we mentioned above, diamond and moissanite are made from two different minerals. Diamond is composed of carbon, while moissanite is composed of silicon carbide. The two minerals have different properties that affect the color, brightness, and durability of the gemstone.

Spark

Differences in chemistry can lead to differences in appearance, mainly because it has to do with glitter. Unlike a single diamond, moissanite is birefringent. For non-gemologists, this means that moissanite shines more than diamond, but it also shines in very different ways. The light reflected by diamonds appears white, while the light reflected by moissanite gemstones appears colored. This hot, bright, iridescent sparkle can sometimes make moissanite look like a fake diamond. However, if you stick to smaller stones, the dramatic "fake" effect is less noticeable.

color

While the most commonly used diamonds are colorless or nearly colorless in nature, they do come in a variety of fancy colors, including pinks, yellows, blues, and browns. However, moissanite can only be colorless, nearly colorless or yellow-green.

For those looking for colorless or near-colorless stones, this distinction makes no difference. While moissanite was once always yellow or green, colorless moissanite is the most common of modern lab-grown versions.

Durability

The hardness of diamonds is one of the reasons why it is so sought after. The stone is durable enough to last a lifetime. In this way, diamonds and moissanite are about the same. On the Mohs hardness scale, precious stones are rated on a scale of 1 to 10, diamonds are rated on a scale of 10 out of 10, and moissanite is rated 9.25-9.5. Moissanite is almost as hard as diamond and will definitely stand the test of time.

affordability

For those who choose moissanite over diamond, the most obvious and beneficial difference is cost. Moissanite and diamonds of the same size and quality can vary widely in price; moissanite costs about one-tenth the cost of diamonds.

The huge difference in cost is due to the difference in labor and other resources required to mine natural diamonds compared to the labor and other resources required to make moissanite in a laboratory. It's not just good for your pocket, though, it's good for the planet too. Lab-grown moissanite is a more environmentally friendly and sustainable option.

Moissanite VS Diamond Engagement Rings

There are tons of engagement rings to choose from, so you can be sure you'll find a style and gemstone you'll love forever. Whether you choose a diamond engagement ring or a moissanite engagement ring, the quality of the gemstone is very important. Pay special attention to cut, color, clarity, and carat weight to find a high-quality gemstone that will radiate beautifully and last forever.

Carat

Moissanite can be a great choice for an engagement ring, especially if you're looking for maximum sparkle. For some people, large carat moissanite may experience "too much sparkle". If you're after a stone larger than 1.5 carats and don't like the intense brilliance of a moissanite ring, a diamond may be a better choice. However, if you don't want to pass your moissanite as a diamond, you can certainly consider a larger carat size. Find out the true physical dimensions of different diamond shapes and their carat weights with our Diamond Carat Size Chart.

Clarity

When choosing a diamond for a diamond ring, it’s a rule of thumb to choose a gem that is “eye clean,” meaning there are no visible inclusions when looking at the gem with the naked eye. The same rules apply when choosing moissanite, especially since moissanite can give you a lot of money compared to diamonds.

WHICH ONE SHOULD I CHOOSE?

Diamond and moissanite are different. While moissanite can be a wonderful diamond alternative for those seeking a more affordable option, it does vary in appearance. If you want the look of a true diamond for a lower price, you are better off selecting a diamond simulant.

However, if you want a stone with incredible sparkle at an incredible price, and you love the look of moissanite, moissanite could be right for you. Moissanite is a beautiful stone all on its own and looks incredible in any engagement ring setting. You can buy high-quality moissanite at the Sheline Moissanite store：

When it comes time to decide between diamond and moissanite for your engagement ring, only you can make the right call. Don’t be swayed by pressure from peers, but choose the stone and setting that suit your life and style.

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