Moissanite Vs Diamond – Everything You Need to Know

Moissanite vs diamond…what’s the difference?! In case you haven’t already noticed, moissanite is becoming a super popular diamond alternative for engagements rings, with more and more couples loving the diamond-like look of the stone.

And here at Green Wedding Shoes, we could not be more excited about the moissanite trend! But there are some important things you should know before opting for moissanite vs diamond, and we’re breaking it all down in this guide.

Things You Need to Know About Moissanite

Before we dive into a side-by-side comparison of moissanite vs diamond, let’s chat all about moissanite and the important things you need to know about this diamond alternative.

Where Does Moissanite Come From?

Fun fact: the man who first discovered moissanite, Henri Moissan, at first sight actually thought the moissanite he’d found was a diamond. So needless to say, when it comes to moissanite vs diamond, these two stones look very similar, but more on that later!

Moissanite is actually a pretty rare substance to find out in nature, and typically was sourced and gathered from meterorites (cool, right?!).

That said, nowadays moissanite is typically man-made, which is plenty more sustainable than mining for stone, as you would with traditional diamonds.

We love that moissanite has become a diamond-like option for couples who want the look of a diamond without the environmental and ethical implications that come from some diamonds.

Diamond vs Moissanite Durability – Is Moissanite Durable?

Diamonds are known for their durability, which is why they’re commonly used in industrial commercial settings. But what about moissanite’s durability? Compared to diamonds, is moissanite durable as well?

Yes, moissanite is durable, but not quite as durable as a diamond. On the Mohs scale, diamond ranks a 10, while moissanite ranks 9.25 – 9.5.

For perspective, sapphires and rubies rank 9 on the scale. And those gems are on the sturdier more durable end of the spectrum.

So when it comes to diamond vs moissanite durability, there isn’t too much of a difference.

In fact, one of the reasons Henri Moissan thought the moissanite he found was a diamond was not only because the stone looked like a diamond, but also because of how strong and durable it was.

Does Moissanite Last?

Tying in to the point above, yes, moissanite does last! And we can thank moissanite’s durability for that!

With many gemstones, like emeralds, you have to be more careful where you wear your ring. On the other hand, moissanite’s durability means it can handle a bit more.

Much like diamonds, moissanite can be used in industrial settings because of how strong it is.

Is Moissanite Lab Created?

Yes and no! Naturally occurring moissanite is super rare, and because of that, it isn’t typically used in jewelry.

Moissanite used in jewelry is usually lab created. We actually think this is one of the coolest things about moissanite!

Because moissanite is lab created, there isn’t the same mining impact on the earth, making this a much more sustainable option than mined diamonds. It also means there is much more control over how the moissanite looks vs diamonds, where you are dependent on what the earth provides you with. More on that later, though.

In addition to their environmental impact, we also know that not all diamonds are sourced ethically. So a lab created moissanite is a wonderful diamond alternative for the conscious couple.

If you’re comparing moissanite vs diamond, and sustainability matters to you, we recommend looking into the differences between moissanite vs lab diamonds, which we speak to later on in this guide!

Comparing The Details of Moissanite vs Diamond

Now that we’ve gone over the essentials of moissanite and what makes them so special, let’s jump into the side-by-side comparison of moissanite vs diamond, so you can make your stone choice with confidence.

Moissanite vs Diamond Price

The price is probably one of the best differences between moissanite vs diamond. Moissanites are an incredible deal when compared to diamonds.

A 1 carat moissanite is nearly 4 times less expensive than a 1 carat mined diamond, and they can be just as beautiful (if not more!). What’s interesting is that the greater the carat size, the better the price you get with moissanite.

For example, when comparing a 3 carat mined diamond vs a 3 carat moissanite, the diamond would cost over $25K. Whereas the moissanite price would be a little under $3k.

So if your partner really loves the idea of a statement stone, you get some serious bang for your buck with moissanite vs diamond.

Does the moissanite vs diamond price sound too good to be true? Maybe not. Let’s explain. A large part of why diamonds are priced so high is because of hefty marketing by the diamond industry and extremely tight control on the distribution of diamonds.

Contrary to popular belief, diamonds are actually a pretty commonly found natural stone. But the diamond industry artificially limits supply to drive up demand and create the impression of rarity.

All of this to say, moissanite doesn’t have this same industry-wide artificial supply limitation. Which means you can get a glimmering, brilliant, large stone for a fraction of the price of a mined diamond. We’d call that a win.

Can You Tell The Difference Between Moissanite and Lab Diamonds?

Moissanite and lab diamonds look very similar, but there are some differences that allow you to tell the difference between them!

Moissanite tends to be more more brilliant and gives off a more intense shine when hit with light. It also tends to give off a rainbow-like fire to it, versus the more white and gray tone of diamonds.

Both stones have a gorgeous shine and brilliance, but diamonds are more muted, versus moissanite’s more colorful, vibrant appearance.

Diamond vs Moissanite Color Scale – What Color is Moissanite?

Moissanite and diamonds look pretty similar, but there are some slight differences in color! Just like diamonds, moissanites can come in various colors and can be rated on a color scale.

When most people think of the color of moissanite, they think of a clear stone. That said, you can get moissanite in other colors, like blue, gray, green, pink, purple, and more!

So if you’ve been eyeing a colorful diamond but want a more sustainable option, a colorful moissanite could be a beautiful alternative.

Moissanite vs Lab Diamonds

Both moissanite and lab diamonds offer you a more sustainable option at a lower price than a mined diamond. Moissanite jewelry is mostly lab created, and as the name implies, so are lab diamonds!

Lab diamonds are in fact diamonds, so they have the same material hardness and durability of a traditional mined diamond.

Similarly, moissanite is quite hard and sturdy. But from a material standpoint, they’re chemically a different stone and have some slightly different color tints and brilliance than diamonds. We’ll chat more on that next!

When it comes to moissanite vs lab diamonds, we really think it’s up to personal preference in color and brilliance. They have slightly different looks, but from a price standpoint, they both cost less than mined diamonds.

Lab diamonds will cost you 40-50% less than a mined diamond. And as we mentioned earlier, a 1 carat moissanite stone can cost you 4 times less than a 1 carat mined diamond.

Both lab diamonds and moissanite are great deals, but from a price standpoint, moissanite is hands-down the best.

Moissanite vs Diamond Sparkle and Brilliance

Let’s talk sparkle, baby! When it comes to comparing the brilliance and sparkle of moissanite vs diamond, this is where we see moissanite truly shine (pun intended!).

Moissanites are known for their sparkly, vibrant, almost rainbow-like glow when the light hits them.

To get technical, the refractive index of moissanite is higher than that of diamond. So when you have a moissanite stone hit with light, it really shines.

Diamonds, on the other hand, have a lower refractive index than moissanite, which means they don’t quite sparkle as intensely. And the light color they reflective is more white and gray in color than the rainbow effect of moissanite.

When it comes to choosing moissanite vs diamond, do you prefer a gem with lots of twinkle and shine? If so, moissanite may be the better fit. If you like a more tamed, but still beautiful shine, diamonds totally fit the bill!

Moissanite vs Diamond Clarity

When we talk about clarity in gems, we’re looking at things like blemishes and inclusions in the stone. Generally speaking, the higher the clarity, the higher the price.

What’s interesting about moissanite vs diamond is that you could end up getting a less expensive moissanite with higher clarity for a lower price. When it comes to clarity, we think moissanite is the clear winner here.