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Diamond vs. Moissanite

If you're searching for a beautiful and valued alternative to natural diamonds, lab-created moissanite should have your attention. These dramatic gems offer incredible shine and fire in a variety of shapes, making them a gorgeous, long-lasting option for your engagement ring or other jewelry. Here's a look at moissanite vs. diamonds side by side:

benefits of moissanite

Moissanite is a durable, brilliant gem that offers eye-catching fire at an affordable price. A mineral form of crystalline silicon carbide, moissanite takes its name from Henri Moissan, the scientist who discovered the gem in the late 19th century. Because natural moissanite is so rare, the gems must be created in a lab.

Giving off a breathtaking rainbow flash in natural lighting, these lab created gems put an unconventional twist on the traditional diamond engagement ring. They also look extraordinary in earrings and pendants. Because moissanites will never lose their exceptional sparkle, they can become meaningful heirloom jewelry.

differences between moissanite vs. diamond stones

While moissanite gems and natural diamonds are both popular in the jewelry world, they differ in many important ways. From brilliance and durability to color and price, it's important to get an idea of these differences before you choose a stone for your jewelry.

durability

All gemstones are measured on the Mohs Scale of Hardness to grade their ability to withstand surface scratching. On the Mohs Scale, natural diamonds receive a 10, while moissanites score a 9.25. Each of these scores is very high, making both stones great options for everyday wear.

brilliance

Moissanite gems have a unique faceting pattern that delivers fiery, rainbow flashes. Moissanites also have a refractive index of around 2.65–2.69, which is higher than natural diamonds. That said, a natural diamond is able to reflect light in more complex ways, via brilliance, scintillation and dispersion. This combination is what gives diamonds their one-of-a-kind sparkle and fire.

color

Natural diamonds can range in color from colorless to faint, based off of international grading standards (D–Z). Though moissanites are not graded on the same scale, they may also be colorless, near-colorless, or have faint grayish or slight-yellowish hues. In most instances, the larger the moissanite gem, the more noticeable its color. Helzberg Diamonds only offers moissanite in the near-colorless to colorless range.

price

A diamond's price is determined by the all-important 4Cs (cut, clarity, color and carat). A lab created moissanite's price is determined by size, color and clarity. Moissanite can cost about four to five times less than a natural diamond of the same size and similar quality. This makes moissanite a popular choice among people in search of affordable jewelry that still delivers heirloom-quality shine and fire.

sourcing

Natural diamonds, which are composed of bonded carbon atoms that have crystallized, are formed over billions of years beneath the earth. They are then expertly mined and sourced through the Kimberly Process, resulting in a one-of-a-kind diamond. Made from the mineral silicon carbide, moissanite gems are created in dedicated facilities, making them an appealing option for people seeking gemstones that don't require mining. Lab grown diamonds are also popular lab-created stones with the unmistakable fire and brilliance of natural diamonds.

frequently asked questions

Is moissanite a real diamond?

No. While they have a smiliar look, moissanite derives from the mineral silicon carbide, wheras diamonds are composed of crystalized bonded carbon atoms.

how are moissanite gemstones graded?

While both mined and lab-grown diamonds are graded on the 4C's, moissanite is only graded on color, and it is not given a single letter grade. They are typically graded according to a range of color: D-E-F (colorless), G-H-I (near-colorless) and J-K (faint color).

What's the difference between natural and lab grown diamonds?

In a nutshell, lab grown diamonds take mining out of the equation by replicating the heat and pressure required to form a diamond in a lab. Both natural and lab grown diamonds are structurally and visually identical; plus they both score a 10 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness.

how is moissanite created?

In 1893, Nobel Prize-winning chemist Dr. Henri Moissan discovered moissanite in a meteorite crater. In the earth, this unique gem is formed from the mineral silicon carbide. Through heat and pressure, the naturally occurring process is duplicated to produce lab created moissanite gems that are so brilliant, only experts can tell the difference between them and natural moissanite.