Moissanite Vs. Diamond
Natural diamonds have always been associated with engagement rings, tennis bracelets, wedding bands, and anniversary jewelry because of their intense fire and brilliance.
Diamonds have always been the number one choice and the main option for bespoke jewelry and other fine jewelry designs.
But what about an alternative to a natural diamond that is budget-friendly, can be custom made to order in your dream engagement ring setting, and is also durable enough for long-time wear?
Diamonds sometimes go through a strenuous supply chain that can be costly and time-consuming. Moissanite presents a budget-friendly alternative that is beautiful, high-quality, and perfect for frequent wear.
Moissanite: The Perfect Choice For Your Engagement Ring
Moissanite is a unique stone with many benefits that make it the ultimate selection for those who wish to have something instead of a diamond.
Moissanites are common in the marketplace and can be frequently found as the center stone in engagement rings. Natural diamonds are often placed as side stones for moissanite in a mounting.
Alternatives To a Natural Diamond
There are many options available for diamond simulants and other stones used in place of the natural diamond. GGG (gadolinium gallium garnet), YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet), synthetic spinel, and cubic zirconia are all alternatives to natural diamonds.
Colorless “white” sapphires, natural zircon, rock crystal quartz, and even glass are used to substitute a diamond in an engagement ring.
Despite being beautiful in their own right, these stones do not look like natural diamonds, and they do not display the intense fire of diamonds.
But what if you adore the incredible brilliance of the diamond? This sparkling quality diamond possess is called scintillation, or the flashes of light that disperse from the stone from the surface.
Moissanite is known for its breathtaking dispersion of rainbow color, perfect for those who love a dazzling display of high fire.
This is one of moissanite’s most unique characteristics in appearance, the dancing of colorful light from all angles. This effect is referred to as the “disco ball effect.”
What Is Moissanite?
Gem-quality moissanite is actually synthetic moissanite, a lab-created version of natural moissanite, which is a very rare stone.
According to GIA, moissanite was introduced to the market in the 1990s and became popular because of its incredible fire, brilliance, and durability.
Moissanite can appear as colorless to near colorless. It is common for moissanite to have a very light yellow or gray cast that can be observed under a microscope or jeweler’s loupe. Moissanite is doubly refractive and will appear as if the facets of the stone are doubling. This doubling can appear obvious when the stone is viewed from the top.
Moissanite is also available in fancy colors, just like diamonds. This creates a variety of moissanite stones to choose from, perfect for those seeking a specific look.
👉 For a more in depth look at moissanite, read our article on what is moissanite.
Moissanite Vs. Diamond: The Differences
Moissanite and diamond are two very different stones with different optical and chemical properties.
Natural diamonds are sourced from the earth. Moissanite is a man-made stone. This makes moissanite an eco-friendly, socially conscious selection because they come from a laboratory.
Diamonds rate 10 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it one of the hardest substances in the world.
Moissanite rates 9.25 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it hard enough to be set into different settings and fashioned into various shapes and sizes. This quality makes moissanite perfect for an engagement ring, for example.
Moissanite has a higher refractive index than the diamond, causing the trademark rainbow “disco ball” effect. This is what makes it so distinctly different in appearance.
Diamond reflects the light in three different ways, including the surface sparkle, scintillation. Diamonds reflect the light back, which is referred to as brilliance. The rainbow of colors refracted through the diamond is called dispersion.
Diamonds can vary greatly in price depending on their 4Cs. Moissanite provides various price points to suit your needs. Custom making your dream engagement ring with the desired size of center stone using moissanite can be more cost-effective.
Is Moissanite The Same As Lab-Created Diamonds?
Moissanite is not the same as lab-created diamonds. Lab-created diamonds are engineered diamonds that mimic natural diamonds. Lab-created diamonds have the same chemical and optical properties as natural diamonds, but they are made in a controlled environment.
Are Moissanite The Same As Cubic Zirconia?
Cubic zirconia is another man-made diamond simulant used in place of diamonds. Cubic zirconia is not the same as moissanite.
Over time, cubic zirconia can show damage to the exterior of the stone. Cubic zirconia often have abraded facets from wear and tear.
Cubic zirconia's rate 8-8.5 on Mohs hardness scale, making them softer than moissanite. Cubic zirconia is typically more affordable, often used in fashion jewelry.
Can You Mix Diamonds And Moissanite In a Ring?
Moissanite is often used as a center stone for an engagement ring. Natural diamond accents may be set on the sides of the center stone. Engagement rings are also available with multiple moissanite stones, including the center and side stones.
Moissanite is a very versatile stone! Pairing other stones with moissanite complements its incredible sparkle, adding elegance and prestige to any jewelry design.
Are Moissanite Rings Tacky?
Moissanite is a very high-quality, durable stone that is set into fine metals (gold, platinum) and placed next to diamonds and natural precious gemstones.
Moissanite is a more affordable alternative to diamonds and provides a high-quality, premium look without the price tag. Our moissanite falls in the D-E-F color range, which is colorless.
A diamond with the same quality may be priced anywhere between 10x-20x more. Selecting your dream moissanite engagement ring is exciting.
Choosing moissanite for your engagement ring means you'll have a brilliant stone to complement your design of your choice at a fraction of the cost.
Does Moissanite Have Resale Value?
There is a resale market for moissanite. It is unlikely that moissanite will increase in value. Because moissanite is a more affordable option, the loss will be less if it is resold.
Armed with your new knowledge, you can browse our moissanite engagement rings with confidence to find your dream ring.