Moissanite is a special type of mineral that is formed of silicon carbide and was initially mistaken for diamond. Named after its Nobel prize-winning discoverer, moissanite is known as the gem of the stars by gemologists around the world because it was first discovered after a meteorite strike.
The gemstone is extremely rare due to the unpredictable nature of meteor showers, and can also be found in the ground in tiny quantities. Thanks to modern science, it is now grown in controlled laboratory settings with a carbon footprint that is far smaller than that of naturally mined diamonds.
Because of the beauty of moissanite, it has become an increasingly popular alternative to natural diamonds. Today, it is common for moissanite to take pride of place as the central point of focus on an engagement ring.
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What Is Moissanite?
Is a Moissanite a Diamond?
No, moissanite is not a diamond because it is formed from silicon carbide, whereas diamonds are formed from carbon under extended periods of intense pressure and temperature. The structures are rather different, resulting in different optical properties.
Moissanite has a greater ability to bend light than natural diamond, meaning that it has a higher refractive index. This allows it to create more ‘rainbow fire’ when met by incoming light. In addition, you should know that diamond is harder than moissanite when measured on the Mohs scale.
For these reasons, moissanite and diamond should be treated as two distinct gemstones, although they do share a degree of visual similarity. A more detailed comparison will help you to gain a greater appreciation of the differences.
MOISSANITE VS. DIAMOND VS. LAB DIAMOND
Durability Â
Gemstones are assessed for their hardness:
Moissanite measures at 9.25 on the Mohs scale, meaning they are suitable for everyday wear.
Diamonds are the hardest known naturally occurring mineral and rate as 10 on the Mohs scale.
Lab diamonds are also a 10 on the Mohs scale, making them highly resistant to scratching.
Brilliance:
Brilliance is the ability of a gemstone to twinkle as the light reflects off its internal surfaces:
A little more brilliant than diamonds and features more than twice the amount of fire. For gemstones of 1 carat or more, the increase in fire is often very noticeable. The refractive index is typically 2.64 to 2.69.
Natural diamonds are slightly less brilliant, but they are still able to exhibit dispersion and scintillation. The refractive index of diamonds is typically 2.417 to 2.419.
Lab diamonds are slightly less brilliant, but they are still able to exhibit dispersion and scintillation. The refractive index of diamonds is typically 2.417 to 2.419.
Color: Color is the tint, hue, or shade that you can see with the naked eye:
Most moissanites are colorless, but they are also made in various shades of teal, grey, black, green, and yellow.
Natural diamonds can be colorless and can also be other shades, such as blue or pink.
Lab diamonds are often purposefully made in a wider range of more vivid colors as a point of difference.
Price: There is a large difference in price due to the overheads involved in production and extraction.
Much lower in price than diamonds of equal carat weight.
The most expensive due to rarity, difficulty of mining, and the need to search.
The mid-priced option that you feel strikes the right balance.
Sourcing: Sourcing is only needed for natural diamonds that have
to be located and mined from the ground before they can be cut and polished.
Moissanite is grown in controlled laboratories by experienced scientists.
Needs to be located and mined at great expense before they can be assessed.
Lab diamonds are grown in controlled laboratories by experienced scientists.
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MOISSANITE VS. DIAMOND VS. LAB DIAMOND
Durability
-Â Â Â Moissanite: A little more brilliant than diamonds and featuresmore than twice the amount of fire. For gemstones of 1 carat or more, theincrease in fire is often very noticeable. The refractiveindex is typically 2.64 to 2.69.
Moissanite
Moissanite measures at 9.25 on the Mohs scale, meaning they are suitable for everyday wear.
Diamond
Diamonds are the hardest known naturally occurring mineral and rate as 10 on the Mohs scale.
Lab Diamond
Lab Diamond: Lab diamonds are also a 10 on the Mohs scale, making them highly resistant to scratching.
Durability
Brilliance is the ability of a gemstone to twinkle as the light reflects off its internal surfaces:
Moissanite
Durability Gemstones are measured on the Mohs scale, which addresses a gem's hardness.
Diamond
Durability Gemstones are measured on the Mohs scale, which addresses a gem's hardness.
Lab Diamond
Brilliance is the ability of a gemstone to twinkle as
the light reflects off its internal surfaces:
ColorÂ
Gemstones are measured on the Mohs scale, which addresses a gem's hardness.
Moissanite
Diamond
Lab Diamond
Durability
Gemstones are measured on the Mohs scale, which addresses a gem's hardness.
Moissanite
Much lower in price than diamonds of equal carat weight.
Diamond
Durability Gemstones are measured on the Mohs scale, which addresses a gem's hardness.
Lab Diamond
Durability Gemstones are measured on the Mohs scale, which addresses a gem's hardness.
Moissanite
Diamond
Lab Diamond
How to Tell a Moissanite From a Diamond
A side-by-side comparison is often the best approach to take if you are approaching this issue for the first time. Once you know what to look for, you should be able to tell the difference.
Comparing Moissanite & Diamond
Diamonds have a distinctive sparkle that results from a combination of reflection, color refraction, and scintillation. While moissanite exhibits all of these properties, it is able to display far more intense rainbow flashes when held under the light. The result is known as the ‘disco ball’ effect, and it becomes more prominent in larger gemstones.
If in doubt, there is always the option to take the piece to an experienced gemologist. Generally speaking, they will focus on examining the ‘doubling’ of opposing facet junctions with a loupe. This will allow them to validate what your stone is.
Benefits of Moissanite
No Mining
Moissanite is lab-created and therefore has a very minimal impact on the environment.
Durability
Moissanite rates as 9.25 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it suitable for a wide range of types of everyday wear.
Choosing Your Perfect Moissanite
Diamonds are graded in terms of their cut, color, clarity, and carat, but moissanites are not reviewed for their carat—only their cut, color, and clarity. To make things simple, we clearly display the quality of each moissanite so that you can understand exactly what you’re looking at. This will allow you to focus on key points of difference, such as the price and the fire, so you can choose the perfect piece to bring your vision to life.
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Care For your ring FAQ
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Should I wear my engagement ring every day?
You can, and many people do, but daily wear is most sustainable when you have built the habit of removing it during high risk activities. A ring worn every day with thoughtful care will outlast one worn carelessly any day of the week.
Can I shower with my engagement ring on?
We advise against it. Soap, shampoo, and conditioner build up on diamond and gemstone surfaces over time, dulling their brilliance. It takes less than a minute to remove your ring before stepping in, and that habit will make a visible difference in how consistently your ring sparkles.
Is it okay to wash my hands with my ring on?
Occasional handwashing with a mild soap is generally fine. The concern is cumulative: frequent washing with harsh soaps, very hot water, or antibacterial formulas can wear down metal finishes over time, and soapy water does slightly increase the risk of a ring slipping off at the sink. When in doubt, take it off first.
How often should my ring be professionally cleaned?
Every six months is a good baseline. If you wear your ring daily, you may want to come in more frequently, especially if you notice visible buildup around the setting or a loss of brilliance that home cleaning does not fully restore.
What's the biggest mistake people make with ring care?
Inconsistency. The habits that protect a ring, removing it before the gym, before bed, before cleaning, are easy to build but also easy to skip. The damage from any single skipped occasion is minimal; the cumulative effect of months of inconsistency is where rings lose their brilliance and settings begin to suffer.