At first glance, moissanite looks a lot like a diamond. But move in closer, and you’ll notice its exceptional sparkle, with rainbow flashes of color and brilliant white. Ask around, and you’ll hear that moissanite is almost as hard as a diamond and costs significantly less. If it’s starting to sound like an attractive idea for an engagement ring or your new favorite fine jewelry piece, read on. We’ll tell you what’s so special about moissanite and what makes it right for your most meaningful jewelry.

What is moissanite?

Moissanite is a mineral form of crystalline silicon carbide, which is literal stardust. It was first discovered on Earth in 1893 by chemist Henri Moissan as he was digging through rock samples from a meteor crater in Arizona. Natural moissanite is extremely rare on our planet, so the ones used in jewelry are created in laboratories.

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FIRE WITHIN

What gives moissanite its sparkle

Moissanite originally came from the stars — so it’s no surprise that it carries a special kind of brilliance.

Moissanite fire

"Fire" is the way a gemstone splits white light into rainbow colors. It’s all about dispersion — the way light separates as it enters and exits the gem. Moissanite has higher dispersion than a diamond, which appears as vibrant flashes of color.

Moissanite brilliance

“Brilliance” is a measure of how effectively a gem returns white light to your eye. It’s influenced by the cut of a gemstone and its “refractive index” — the material's ability to bend light. Moissanite has a higher index than a diamond, which creates a bright, lively sparkle.

Moissanite hardness

On the Mohs Hardness Scale, moissanite scores a 9.25 (diamonds score a 10). This rating means moissanite is exceptionally durable and resistant to scratches and abrasions.

Moissanite toughness

Silicon carbide, the material moissanite is made of, is tough enough for use in armor and industrial cutting tools. So it can handle just about anything you'll put a wedding band, engagement ring or your favorite stud earrings through.

Moissanite vs lab grown diamonds

Searching for an alternative to natural gemstones and diamonds? You may have heard of both moissanite and lab grown diamonds. But what’s the real difference between the two? Here’s what you need to know about both types of stones and which may be right for you.

What is a lab grown diamond vs a moissanite gemstone?

Because lab grown diamonds and moissanite gemstones are created in dedicated facilities, they are both appealing, affordable options for people seeking stones that require no mining. Lab grown diamonds are chemically and structurally the same as natural diamonds, except they are man-made using highly specialized technology, equipment and responsibly sourced raw materials.

Made from the silicon carbide, moissanite is often used as a diamond alternative due to its durability, sparkle and affordability.

Is moissanite a lab grown diamond?

Both lab grown diamonds and moissanite gemstones are created in dedicated facilities, making them appealing, affordable options for people seeking stones that require no mining. The difference lies in how each is made.

Lab grown diamonds are chemically and structurally the same as natural diamonds. The only difference is that they are created in dedicated facilities using highly complex processes, such as CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) or High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT).

When naturally occuring within the earth, moissanite is formed from the mineral silicon carbide. To create this brilliant gemstone in a lab, the process is duplicated through a combination of heat and pressure. Only experts can tell the difference between lab created and natural moissanite

What is the difference between  moissanite gemstones & lab grown diamonds?

Moissanite gems and lab diamonds share similar qualities with natural diamonds, and they are typically more affordable. While these two stone choices can seem similar, they differ in brilliance, durability, color, and price.

  • Durability

    Gemstones are measured on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, which assesses their ability to withstand surface scratching. Moissanite gems score a 9.25 on the Mohs Scale, while lab grown diamonds receive a 10. These scores make both stones well-suited for everyday wear in engagement rings and fine jewelry.

  • Brilliance

    Because their faceting pattern is different, moissanite gems exhibit a different type of brilliance than lab grown diamonds. Their fiery, rainbow flashes reflect the full color spectrum. Moissanite has a refractive index from 2.65–2.69, which is higher than natural diamonds. That said, a lab grown diamond reflects light in more complex ways via brilliance, dispersion, and scintillation, giving the stone its legendary sparkle.

  • Color

    Like natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds can vary in color. They are graded according to the same internationally recognized standards as natural diamonds (D–Z, colorless to light yellow or brown). Though moissanite stones are not graded on the diamond color grading scale, they often fall within the same color range. In fine jewelry, moissanite gems may be colorless, near-colorless, or have faint grayish or slight-yellowish hues.

  • Price

    While lab grown diamonds are more affordable than natural diamonds, their cost can range based on shape, or the 4 C’s: carat, cut, color, and clarity. Moissanite gems are dramatically lower in price compared to natural and lab grown diamonds, with costs varying based on size, color, and clarity.

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Frequently asked questions

Is moissanite a gemstone?

Yes, moissanite is considered a gemstone. When it forms naturally, it’s composed of the mineral silicon carbide. Most moissanite gemstones are lab created, occurring through a heat and pressurized process. These stones are so brilliant that it takes an expert eye to differentiate lab grown moissanite from naturally occurring gemstones.

Can a jeweler tell the difference between a natural diamond and a lab grown stone?

To the untrained eye, natural and lab grown diamonds are identical. However, jewelers with highly specialized equipment can inspect a stone to determine the type of diamond they’re looking at.

Do lab grown diamonds have the same hardness as natural diamonds?

Yes! On the Mohs Hardness Scale, both lab grown and natural stones have a score of 10. Plus, lab grown diamonds are chemically and structurally identical to natural stones.

Does moissanite get cloudy?

No. Moissanite is an incredibly strong gemstone and won't deteriorate over time. A cloudy appearance is the result of environmental factors: natural skin oils, makeup or lotion, hard water deposits. Cleaning moissanite jewelry will restore its sparkle.

Is moissanite a real diamond?

No. Moissanite is a completely different gemstone — a mineral form of crystalline silicon carbide.

Is moissanite a precious stone?

Yes. Moissanite originally came from space: It was created when a meteorite fell to Earth, making it one of the rarest minerals found in nature. The moissanite used in jewelry is created in laboratories.

Does moissanite lose its sparkle?

No. The color and clarity of the stone won't diminish over time. With proper care, moissanite will last many lifetimes.

How to clean moissanite rings?

One of the safest and most effective ways to clean moissanite jewelry at home is to add a few drops of mild dish soap to warm water and gently brush with a very soft toothbrush.

Does moissanite pass a diamond tester?

Moissanite isn't a diamond, but may pass some basic diamond tests because it has similar thermal conductivity.

What color do moissanite come in?

While many people prefer clear to colorless, moissanite can be created in almost any color you can think of. You can typically find moissanite in varying shades of green, gray, gold, blue, brown, purple, yellow and pink.

How hard is moissanite?

Moissanite ranks 9.25-9.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Only diamonds, with a perfect 10 ranking, are harder than moissanite.