Moissanite is often called a "diamond alternative" – but it is a gemstone in its own right, with strengths of its own. If you are looking for a sparkling ring, stud earrings or a necklace, it pays to take a closer look at the differences.
What is moissanite?
Moissanite is made of silicon carbide. In nature it occurs only in tiny amounts; it was originally discovered in a meteorite crater. The moissanite used in jewelry is therefore lab-grown – with consistent quality and no mining.
The key differences at a glance
| Moissanite | Diamond | |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness (Mohs scale) | 9.25 | 10 |
| Refractive index | approx. 2.65–2.69 | approx. 2.42 |
| Fire (color play) | much stronger, with rainbow flashes | mostly white sparkle |
| Origin | lab-grown | natural or lab-grown |
| Price | a fraction | high, rises steeply with size |
Sparkle: moissanite has more fire
Moissanite refracts light more strongly than a diamond. Especially in sunlight it shows a lively play of color with small rainbow flashes. A diamond tends to sparkle white and a little more subtly. Which you prefer is a matter of taste – many people love the intense fire of moissanite.
Hardness: made for everyday wear
At 9.25 on the Mohs scale, moissanite is one of the hardest gemstones after diamond. That makes it scratch-resistant enough for a ring you wear every day.
Price: large stones at a fair price
The biggest advantage is the price. A moissanite with the look of 1 or 2 carats costs only a small part of a comparable diamond. That makes a striking stone possible even on a smaller budget.
Can you tell moissanite from diamond?
Hardly with the naked eye. Experts recognize moissanite under magnification by its double refraction: the facet edges appear slightly doubled. Simple diamond testers that measure thermal conductivity often wrongly identify moissanite as diamond – only special testers can tell them apart reliably.
Who is moissanite right for?
- You want maximum sparkle at a fair price
- You are looking for a promise or engagement ring with a large stone
- A stone without mining matters to you
- You want everyday jewelry that is durable and scratch-resistant
A natural diamond, on the other hand, is the right choice if the rarity and classic value of a natural stone matter most to you.
Our moissanite favorites
- 1 ct Moissanite Double Halo Stud Earrings – pure sparkle
- 0.5 ct Moissanite Promise Ring – elegant and adjustable
- 2 ct Moissanite Ring – Prism Power – a true statement
- Butterfly Necklace with 1 ct Moissanite
All pieces are set in 925 sterling silver. Discover the full selection in our moissanite collection.