Although often compared to a diamond for its similar appearance, there is no such thing as a moissanite diamond. In the same way that an emerald or a sapphire is different to a diamond, moissanite is a real gemstone with its own unique beauty and chemical properties. As a sparkly, affordable and responsible choice, moissanite is rapidly becoming a gemstone of choice for those who want a break in tradition, or just simply love the unique sparkle that this gemstone has to offer.
Benefits of Moissanite
Mining Free
Moissanite is lab created with minimal environmental impact.
Value
Moissanite is less expensive per carat than many other gemstones.
Durability
Moissanite is a 9.25 on the Mohs scale of hardness, so they’re suitable for everyday wear.
Moissanite is Its Own Unique Gemstone
With origins literally out of this world, moissanite has a unique story of discovery. First unearthed in an Arizona meteor crater by Henry Moissan in 1893, the French scientist first assumed he’d discovered diamonds. However, he soon realised that the microscopic particles were made of silicon carbide and were an entirely new discovery – a gemstone that would share his name: Moissanite.
Natural moissanite particles are extremely rare but luckily for us, modern science allows them to be beautifully replicated in controlled laboratory environments. As a lab grown stone, this makes moissanite both an affordable option, as well as one that is responsible for the planet. Since moissanite does not require mining, you can be rest assured that your stone’s source is easily traceable and was created without the concerns associated with traditional gemstone mining.
Moissanite Has Unique Physical Properties
Although moissanite can give the illusion of a diamond appearance, it is its own unique gemstone with subtle physical differences that separate it from a diamond and other white gemstones. This includes differences in chemical makeup, hardness, clarity, colour and brilliance.
Chemical Makeup
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Unlike diamonds, which are made from carbon, moissanite is made from silicon carbide. As an extraordinarily rare, naturally-occurring mineral, moissanite in today’s jewellery is grown in controlled laboratory environments. Moissanite is grown using the Physical Vapour Transport (PVT) process. This intricate method involves sublimating silicon carbide in a vacuum, transforming it into a vapour that delicately deposits onto a seed crystal. The process starts by heating silicon carbide powder in a graphite crucible at high temperatures, causing it to sublime in a vacuum. The silicon carbide vapour then moves to a cooler part of the crucible, where it settles onto a seed crystal, forming a brilliant moissanite gem.
Moissanite vs. Diamond vs. Lab Diamond
Moissanite
Moissanites are at 9.25 on the Mohs scale, making them suitable for everyday wear.
Diamond
Diamonds, the hardest known naturally occurring mineral, are a 10 on the Mohs scale, making them the ideal option for engagement rings.
Lab Diamond
Lab diamonds are a 10 on the Mohs scale, making them the ideal option for engagement rings.
Moissanite
Moissanites are slightly more brilliant than diamonds, though they feature more than twice the amount of fire. If a moissanite is larger than 1 carat, the difference in fire can be very noticeable as it has a refractive index of 2.64 to 2.69.
Diamond
Natural diamonds are slightly less brilliant than moissanite and feature two times less fire, though they still exhibit dispersion and scintillation. The refractive index of diamonds ranges from 2.417 to 2.419.
Lab Diamond
Lab diamonds are slightly less brilliant than moissanite and feature two times less fire, though they still exhibit dispersion and scintillation. The refractive index of diamonds ranges from 2.417 to 2.419.
Moissanite
While most moissanites can now be grown as colorless or near colorless, they are also created in hues of teal, grey, green, yellow, and black.
Diamond
Natural diamonds occur in the colorless range, but they also occur in many colors, including pink, blue, and yellow from trace elements like nitrogen and boron.
Lab Diamond
The rarest lab diamonds are those in the colorless range, but they are also created in many colors. Lab-grown colored diamonds are more accessible than natural colored diamonds and can often be found in more vivid, fancier colors.
Moissanite
Moissanite is dramatically lower in price than diamonds of the same carat weight. Their pricing is based on size, shape, and whether the stone is colorless or near colorless.
Diamond
Natural diamonds are the most expensive. As they are mined from the Earth and take billions of years to form, they are much rarer than both moissanite and lab diamonds. In addition to their rarity, diamonds are priced based on their 4 C's and shape.
Lab Diamond
Lab diamonds cost less than their natural counterparts due to their origin but cost more than moissanites. As with natural diamonds, lab diamonds are priced based on their 4 C's and shape.
Moissanite
Moissanite is grown in controlled laboratories by professionals. Once formed, they’re cut and polished.
Diamond
Natural diamonds form deep in the Earth. Then, they are mined, cut, and polished.
Lab Diamond
Lab diamonds are grown in controlled laboratories by professionals. Once formed, they’re cut and polished.
Hardness
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The hardness of a gemstone is measured using the Mohs scale, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the hardest. On this scale, moissanite measures 9.25 and is second only to diamond, which has a score of 10. As one of the hardest minerals on earth, moissanite is extremely durable and will last a lifetime of everyday wear, without ever fading or dulling in its appearance.
Clarity
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As many know, diamonds are graded according to the 4 C’s: Cut, Clarity, Colour and Carat. As a lab grown stone, the cut and clarity of moissanite rarely varies. This means that moissanite stones will almost always be close to flawless in clarity, with very small imperfections or blemishes that can only be seen under magnification. At Cullen Jewellery, our stones have a nearly perfect clarity grading of VVSI-2 (very very slightly included), ensuring your moissanite will always have a clear, bright sparkle. Just like the uniformity of the cut and clarity of moissanite stones, moissanite is uniformly graded as colourless (unless you opt for a coloured moissanite). Like diamonds, moissanite is a white gemstone but the difference in appearance will be seen in the way it interacts with light and its unique properties.
Most Popular Moissanite Rings
1.50 CT Radiant Shaped Moissanite Solitaire Engagement Ring
3.50 CT Round Shaped Moissanite Solitaire Engagement Ring
2.0 CT Heart Shaped Moissanite Solitaire Engagement Ring
5.0 CT Emerald Shaped Moissanite Solitaire Engagement Ring
3.50 CT Oval Shaped Moissanite Solitaire Engagement Ring
2.50 CT Round Shaped Moissanite Solitaire Engagement Ring
4.0 CT Oval Shaped Moissanite Solitaire Engagement Ring
3.0 CT Oval Shaped Moissanite Solitaire Engagement Ring
1.0 CT Round Shaped Moissanite Solitaire Engagement Ring
2.50 CT Oval Shaped Moissanite Solitaire Engagement Ring
5.0 CT Emerald Shaped Moissanite Solitaire Engagement Ring
3.0 CT Round Shaped Moissanite Solitaire Engagement Ring
Moissanite vs. Diamond FAQ
Moissanite is grown in a laboratory by professionals with advanced, specialized equipment.
No, moissanite does not get cloudy over time.
Moissanites are strong, long-lasting gemstones. With proper care, moissanites can last throughout your lifetime and be passed down to future generations.
No, moissanite is not a precious stone.
To the untrained eye, it can be difficult to tell the difference between moissanite and cubic zirconia. We recommend bringing your gemstone in to a trained professional who will be able to validate exactly what it is.