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moissanite vs lab grown diamonds

If you're searching for an alternative to natural gemstones and diamonds, you may have heard of both moissanite and lab grown diamonds. Read on to learn the differences between these beautiful stones to help determine which is right for you.

what is a lab grown diamond vs a moissanite gemstone?

Because lab grown diamonds and moissanites are created in dedicated facilities, they are both appealing, affordable options for people seeking stones that require no mining. Lab grown diamonds are chemically and structurally the same as natural diamonds, except they are man-made using highly specialized technology, equipment and responsibly sourced raw materials.

Made from the silicon carbide, moissanite is often used as a diamond alternative due to its durability, sparkle and affordability.

how is moissanite created vs how are lab grown diamonds created?

Created from a natural diamond seed, lab grown diamonds are structurally, chemically and visually identical to natural diamonds. The only difference is that they are created in dedicated facilities using complex processes, such as CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) or High-Pressure High Temperature (HPHT).

In the earth, moissanite is formed from the mineral silicon carbide. To create the brilliant gemstone in a lab, the naturally occurring process is duplicated through a combination of heat and pressure. Only experts can tell the difference between lab created and natural moissanite!

what is the difference between
moissanite and lab grown diamonds?

Moissanite gems and lab grown diamonds share similar qualities with natural diamonds, and they are typically more affordable. While these two stone choices can seem similar, they differ in brilliance, durability, color and price.

durability

To assess their ability to withstand surface scratching, gemstones are measured on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. On the Mohs Scale, moissanite gems score a 9.25, while lab grown diamonds receive a 10. Both scores are very good, making each stone well-suited for everyday wear in engagement rings and fine jewelry.

brilliance

Because their faceting pattern is different, moissanite gems exhibit a different type of brilliance than lab grown diamonds. Their fiery, rainbow flashes reflect the full color spectrum. Moissanites have a refractive index from 2.65–2.69, which is two times higher than natural diamonds. That said, a lab grown diamond reflects light in more complex ways, via brilliance, dispersion and scintillation, which give the stone its legendary sparkle.

color

Like natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds can vary in color. They are graded according to the same internationally recognized standards as natural diamonds (D–Z, colorless to light yellow or brown). Though moissanites are not graded on the diamond color grading scale, they often fall within the same color range. In fine jewelry, moissanite gems may be colorless, near-colorless, or have faint grayish or slight-yellowish hues.

price

While lab grown diamonds are more affordable than natural diamonds, their cost can range based on shape, carat, cut, color and clarity. Moissanite gems are dramatically lower in price compared to natural and lab grown diamonds, with cost varying based on size, color and clarity.