Moissanite vs. Diamonds: What's the Difference?

When choosing the perfect gem for your bling — especially if it is as personal as an engagement ring — the age-old battle of moissanite versus diamond comes to the question. Why? Because they're both beautiful, hard, and look sizzling hot, but hello, they aren't exactly one and the same. If you're determined to take the old-school diamond route or window shop for chillier, edgier moissanite rocks, you're gonna want to educate yourself first before parting with the cash.

Alright, here we go, and let it be done with. Roll out the magnifying glass, friends, because now we're in close intimate contact with these beautiful gems.

What Is Moissanite?

We'll begin where these gems were originally discovered. Moissanite has one of the most fascinating histories of any jewelry gem to have made its way into our grasp — outer space.

Characterized by French researcher Henri Moissan (naturally, his eponym) in 1893, the mineral was first discovered in an Arizona crater meteorite. Initially, Henri was convinced that he had discovered diamonds as they resembled each other that closely, but a closer examination, he was certain that it was something rather different — and significantly less exceptional.

Natural Moissanite is incredibly rare, the sort of thing where you'll be lucky to have a unicorn appear in your backyard. And because it is so rare, nearly everything other than each one of what we do have available sold today as "moissanite jewelry" isn't the naturally occurring material itself but produced in laboratories instead. Don't worry — lab-moissanite is just as (if not more so, in my humble opinion) stunningly beautiful, minus all of that history and morality that's attached to that old traditional diamond mine. 

What Are Diamonds? 

You can call it the gemstone king whose natural beauty and splendor cannot be matched. They take over a billion years to form and it is formed inside the Earth’s crust under extreme pressure and heat. Infact, if you see the real diamond formed, you would be surprised to see how opposite it is to beauty. But those when shaped become the essence of luxury and elegance. 

But not all diamonds are mined from the Earth anymore. There are also lab grown diamonds. (We’ll come to the difference between lab grown moissanite vs lab diamond later). 

But if you see lab-grown diamonds, they are made in a high tech environment which has a similar one as that which is there in the natural formation process. This makes the stones physically, chemically, and optically, identical to the diamonds that come directly from mines. The only difference, you can say, is of origin, as to how they are formed. One artificially, and the other, naturally. The other could also be of price sometimes depending on its shine and quality.

Moissanite vs Diamond: What’s the Difference?

When deciding between diamond and moissanite, there are a few things to consider:

Brilliance and Sparkle: Who's the Brighter Star?

As far as fire goes, sterling silver moissanite jewelry could be the real showstopper. Moissanite boasts a higher refractive index (2.65) than diamonds (2.42), which bends light more. The result? A rich, rainbow brilliance that makes one feel like this gemstone is the life of the party.

Diamonds are so subtle, white-light sparkles. Such stunning glimmer, candlesticks to the formal dinner. Subtle and pleasant are diamonds. Bonus oomph of flash and flame is, however, if you're keen on having it, with moissanite diamonds maybe as your trusty sidekick.

Color: As Clear as Day or a Dash of Hue?

Historically, the best diamonds are completely colorless, but they also exist in beautiful colors like blue, pink, and yellow. Lab diamond vs moissanite reviews usually mention that lab diamonds are colorless like natural diamonds, while moissanite is ever so slightly colored at times.

But if you see larger stones of moissanite, they can have hints of other tones like yellow, gray, or green, if seen under lighting. But the new ones from moissanite stones are made to be near colorless. So it becomes practically quite difficult if you are not a gemologist or do not have the right tool.

Durability: Which Stone Stands the Test of Time?

Both moissanite and diamonds are incredibly durable, but diamonds take the crown when it comes to hardness.

On the Mohs scale of hardness:

Diamonds rate a 10 — hardest substance on the planet.

Moissanite rates a 9.25 — scratch-resistant beyond most gemstones, including ruby and sapphire.

Both excellent options for day-to-day wear, like an engagement ring. They're resistant to scratches and chips, so whether you love sterling silver moissanite rings or a good old-fashioned diamond ring, you're in for a gem that will endure.

Price: The Budget Battle

If you want the actual bling but the price, diamond vs moissanite is something not even worth considering. Moissanite costs a fraction of lab-grown and naturally formed diamonds vs moissanite.

For example, one-carat moissanite would be a few hundred dollars, whereas an equally similar diamond — one with excellent color and clarity grade — is thousands. Even moissanite versus lab created diamond does the same difference, moissanite the less expensive one the most often.

Ethics and Sustainability

If ethics is the one that a person prioritizes, then moissanite takes the lead once again. As it is synthetic, moissanite also avoids destroying the earth and the ethical issue of diamond mining.

Lab diamonds vs moissanite, naturally, is another tight-run contender here. Lab diamonds provide you with an ethical, environmental-friendly option over diamond mining so your conscience can be kept clear without sacrificing on quality by taking anything less.

Resale Value: Investment or Sentiment

This is where diamonds shine. Diamonds — natural diamonds — will retain their value. Quality diamonds will even increase in value, thereby becoming an investment.

Moissanite is beautiful but useless when you attempt to resell it. If you're buying for everyday wear and sentiment, this won't be an issue. But if you want long-term value, diamonds are the choice.

What Stone to Choose?

So how do you decide between moissanite vs natural diamond or lab diamond vs moissanite? It boils down to what's most important to you:

Select a Diamond if:

You love tradition and luxury.

You're looking for an investment.

You're looking for timelessness, an explosion of white light.

Select Moissanite if:

You want bare brilliance and fire.

Spending as little money as possible is most important.

Sustainability and green-mindedness matter to you.

Select a Lab-Grown Diamond if:

You desire the sparkle of a diamond but without guilt.

You need a cheap alternative to diamonds mined.

Ultimately, moissanite or diamond, either one, with moissanite gems' otherworldly sparkle or the timeless sophistication of a diamond, what you most desire is the way the gem makes you feel.

And if you're "team unsure," why not have a little bit of both? Sterling silver moissanite pieces of jewelry are great for everyday wear, and the diamond is your life-of-the-party showstopper for nights out on the town. Either way, your jewelry box is going to be shining a whole lot brighter.

Then team moissanite or team diamond? Or a dash of both? Whatever, just make sure it glows as much as you.