Education 4 min read

Moissanite vs. Diamond: What's the Difference?

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See how moissanite and diamond differ in terms of their appearance, durability, and price, and find the right gemstone for your ring.

The experts you can trust: We take pride in covering all of the fine details that our customers deserve to know because it’s the only way to offer a fully transparent service. Keep reading to learn more, or get in touch with one of our experts today to ask anything you would like to know.

What Is Moissanite?

What Is Moissanite?

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.

Is a Moissanite a Diamond?

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. Natural Diamond vs. Lab-Grown Diamond

MoissaniteNatural DiamondLab Diamond
Durability

Measured on the Mohs scale of hardness (1–10).

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

Diamonds are graded from D (colorless) to Z.

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

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

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.
How to Tell a Moissanite From a 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.

Choosing Your Perfect Moissanite

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.

At Mine & Grown, we work in lab-grown and natural diamonds rather than moissanite. If you are weighing moissanite against diamond, book an appointment to view specific diamonds live with one of our specialists and find the right stone for your budget and your vision.

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Moissanite vs Diamond FAQ

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Is moissanite a fake diamond?

No. Moissanite is a gemstone in its own right rather than a fake diamond. It is made of silicon carbide, while diamond is crystallized carbon, so the two differ in hardness, sparkle and price even though they can look alike at a glance.

Which sparkles more, moissanite or diamond?

Moissanite has a higher refractive index than diamond (about 2.65 against 2.42) and disperses more light, so it shows stronger, more colorful “rainbow” flashes, especially in larger stones. A diamond’s sparkle looks whiter and crisper by comparison.

Will moissanite get cloudy?

Moissanite itself does not turn cloudy over time. When any stone looks hazy, the usual cause is a film of oils, lotion or soap on its surface, which a gentle clean with warm water, a mild detergent and a soft-bristle brush removes.

Do you sell moissanite?

No. Mine & Grown works in lab-grown and natural diamonds. If you are deciding between moissanite and diamond, book an appointment to view specific diamonds live with one of our specialists.

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