Moissanite vs. Diamond

Love the look of a classic, clear and vibrant diamond but looking for something with a lower price point? Have you considered moissanite or lab-grown diamonds?

If you have spent some time in the glistening world of Fine Jewelry, you may have heard about these diamond alternatives.

What is moissanite?

Simply stated, moissanite is naturally occurring silicon carbide (SiC) and is classified as a rare mineral. It’s relatively new, having been discovered by French chemist Henri Moissan in 1893.

What is lab-grown diamond?

Lab grown diamonds are just diamonds that are grown in a lab! They have the same chemical makeup and physical properties as natural mined diamonds; they’re completely identical! They are just as hard as natural diamonds and they have just as much sparkle! So why get a lab diamond instead of a natural diamond? Well, they are a lot more affordable and sustainable!

Now that you know a little about moissanite and lab-grown diamonds, let’s take a look at some comparisons!

Diamond vs. Moissanite:

Diamond and moissanite are very similar in naked-eye appearance, but that’s about it! Let’s have a closer look at how the two compare to each other.

The look:

The GIA has stated  that moissanite is “much closer to diamond in overall appearance and heft than any previous diamond imitation.” But there are some key differences.

Refraction:

The Refractive Index refers to a gem’s ability to bend light. In other words, if a gemstone has a high refractive index, it will reflect more light back at you, resulting in a brilliant sparkle. A gemstone that is lower on the refractive index will absorb more light and will appear duller.

One of the reasons many people love moissanite is its almost blinding brilliant sparkle! Both moissanite and Diamonds are considered highly refractive with exceptional sparkle; but moissanite’s refractive index (2.65) is a little higher than a diamond (2.42).

Where moissanite really sets itself apart, though, is with its FIRE.

Fire—AKA dispersion—refers to a gemstone’s ability to bend light as it passes through the stone. Moissanite bends light really well, creating a remarkable rainbow of light. For rainbow disco-ball effect, moissanite outranks them all!

The feel:

Moissanite is second only to Diamond in hardness and scratch resistance; making them both solid choices on the durability scale. While it’s not quite as durable as diamond, moissanite does outrank both sapphire and topaz in toughness.

Moissanite also weighs less than a diamond—15% lighter, to be exact.

Both moissanite and diamonds retain their clarity over time (they don’t get cloudy), but moissanite’s silicon content makes it less likely to attract grime, allowing it to retain more of its sparkle between professional cleanings.

The value:

Diamonds are the most classic of the four precious gemstones. Moissanite is classified as a rare mineral. For this reason, moissanite boasts a dramatically lower price point.

Diamonds and moissanite are sold based on different standards. Moissanite is sold based on size and color (colorless or near colorless). Diamonds are priced based on the four C’s and other distinctive factors.

Some people love that moissanite is created in a lab, making it very Eco Friendly (no mining!). Plus, the technology is cool.

Some feel that the natural, individual and distinctive nature of a diamond makes it the more appealing option.

So which is better: moissanite, diamond, or lab-grown diamond?

There are strong feelings on all sides; and it all comes down to personal preference. Ultimately, whichever feels right to you is the perfect choice!

Those who prefer moissanite love it because:

Price – You can get a stunning moissanite engagement ring at a much lower price point than its diamond counterpart.

Clarity – Moissanite is artificially made, and so is typically not sold unless it has a very high clarity grade.

Lab Created – If you are concerned about the ethical side of buying diamonds (though I should mention; you can make a point of shopping for ethically sourced diamonds), you may enjoy the technology that goes into creating moissanite.

Brilliance – Moissanite has a high level of brilliance, and who can forget that FIRE.

Those who prefer diamond love it because:

Culture – Diamonds are culturally significant & can be passed down generationally as an heirloom. Diamonds have a romantic, classic appeal because of their purity.

Precious – Diamonds are the most timeless of the four precious gemstones.

Purity – Many prefer the authentic sparkle and light refraction of the diamond and feel that moissanite’s sparkle seems synthetic.

Those who prefer lab-grown diamond love it because:

Price – You can get lab-grown diamonds for a much lower price than natural diamonds of the same size and quality while still getting all the same benefits of a diamond!

Sustainability – Lab diamond is grown using environmentally friendly practices and is ethically sourced!

Benefits – Lab diamonds have all the same benefits of natural diamonds just for a more affordable price!

Ultimately, the choice is individual and very personal. Just like your love story.

Whether you want to invest in a diamond or prefer a moissanite piece, the Friendly Experts at FORGE can help you create something amazing at your personal and approved price point.