Moissanite so closely resembles diamonds that it must be examined in fine detail to determine the differences. This chart compares the two jewels:
Diamond | Moissanite | |
Brilliance (Refractive index) |
2.42 | 2.65 |
Fire (Dispersion) |
.044 | .104 |
Hardness (Mohs scale) |
10 | 9.25 |
Color | Various: Graded from D – X | Colorless white |
Weight | 3.53 g/cm3 | 3.21 g/cm3 |
Heat Resistance | Burns at 800 °C | Undamaged up to 1800 °C |
Double refraction | No | Yes |
Cost | $3,400 – $25,000 / carat | $275 / carat |
Public opinion | Widely accepted | Less accepted, but gaining traction |
Availability | Many retailers | Few retailers |
From a gemstone property standpoint, moissanite is superior. It carries much more sparkle than diamonds (that’s what the brilliance and fire mean) which will make your loved one happy. Diamonds are harder, but for jewelry it doesn’t matter much (although it’s worth pointing our that moissanite is harder than cubic zirconia (8.25), another popular diamond substitute). The heat resistance of moissanite allows it to be crafted in specific molds, increasing variety of shape. And you don’t have to worry about comparing the “4 C’s of diamonds” – moissanite is superior in color, cut, clarity, and carat. Check out this image of a diamond and a moissanite under direct light – see how the moissanite refracts more colors? That’s the superior sparkle!
Moissanite loses in a few categories. Double refraction means light can sometimes bend into 2 lines instead of 1 line as it goes through the stone. In jewelry this is viewed as bad, but I’m not sure why since it’s creating more luster. The most difficult disadvantage of moissanite is its public view. Many people view any diamond alternative as cheap and who wants to give their fiance something cheap? Yet it’s a tough battle of trying to change perception when evidence shows there are superior gems out there.
Here’s a video of a moissanite and a diamond side by side, in great detail. Can you see the differences with your naked eye?
By josephine Catanese March 21, 2014 - 11:23 am
Is it man made or a natural stone???
By Shane Stone March 22, 2014 - 3:45 pm
It was first found naturally, but most that you will buy will be man-made
By nick May 1, 2014 - 8:56 am
It is extremely rare to find naturally in our solar system (let alone Earth). Most natural Moissanite comes from meteorites. If you’re buying it in jewelry, it’s gonna be synthetic.
By Rhonda Wilkerson January 26, 2015 - 8:21 pm
I was told when I bought my first Moissanite stone in Pismo Beach, CA that the stone originated from a meteorite. Whether this is true or not, let me tell you that, that one carat stone has the brilliance of a diamond and much more. This one carat stone was placed in a 24 karat think gold band, at the time of purchase this small little shop had only the one ring. I wanted that ring so much, but at the time the price tag of almost $900.00 was a little over my budget at that time. Upon returning home, I could hardly think of anything else but this exquisite beautiful ring! After much thinking, and thinking, I called the small shop after almost two weeks, and ask the woman who owned the shop if the Moissanite ring was still there and available, she said yes that it was, but many many people were fascinated by this one single ring. I ask if she could take a good picture of the ring and send it to my phone, and she did just that!!! I looked at that ring over and over again and again, and finally called her and ask that if I bought the ring if she would ship it to me? We did the transaction right then and there, and I’ve been the proud owner of this one of a kind ring ever since. I’ve taken it to several different jewelers and have ask them to place it on there diamond detector machine, and each and every single time it registers as a diamond. I love my ring, and I will again buy more of this beautiful Moissonite jewlery that’s a promise! More than a satisfied customer, I am now a lifelong buyer of this magnificent stone. Sincerely, Rhonda Wilkerson
By Arlene March 10, 2015 - 8:30 am
Hi Rhonda,
I have just been engaged I am someone who misplaces everything so I decided to go with moissanite for my engagement ring….I absolutely love it…..I just hope & pray I don’t lose it!
By Mitchell May 19, 2016 - 3:54 pm
I agree with you, but ONLY natural Moissanite stone are originated from a meteorite. This has become almost impossible to find on the market. So any time a dealer told you that his or her Moissanite are Meteorite? … You can be sure what he or she says to you, are “craps of bullshit.”
By lb November 8, 2017 - 11:19 pm
According to Charles and Colvard (the original patent holders of lab-grown moissanite), The fragments that were first found (in the crater of a meteorite), were so small that no jewelry could have been made from them. As far as I understand, all moissanite sold for jewelry is lab grown.
By Amy November 6, 2016 - 12:49 pm
Well, Rhonda, I actually am doing a report on this, and the first moissanite was found in a meteorite by Henry Moissan.
By Mitchell May 19, 2016 - 3:50 pm
Moissanite: Naturally formed Moissanite is very rare and almost impossible to find on the mass market. Therefore, all the Moissanite that you could find on the market are cheaper lab-crated, man-made stone. This has made this “diamond substitute” proves to be cost-efficient (much cheaper) than the genuine diamond.
Kindly note, 99.9999% of the Moissanite that you see or buy from the mass market is lab crated, which is man-made, if you don’t mind.
By nicole March 26, 2014 - 9:14 am
White side is which in the video?
By Maraji May 29, 2014 - 8:59 pm
So, for been synthetic is quite bit expensive. Don’t get me wrong, for someone who doesn’t know it’s hard to tell. I personally have no problem with it.
By Shari June 26, 2014 - 3:32 pm
I have a 3 stone brilliant square moissanite ring and I could not be happier! I get SO many compliments on it and at 3.30 carats, it’s a much more affordable piece. I had the setting tightened at a jewelers, and they could not tell the difference. Of course I was aware of the product prior to purchase, so if you’re looking for an engagement ring, talk it over with your intended bride. My husband got diamonds in his wedding ring, but I LOVE my moissanite!
By Shane Stone June 26, 2014 - 7:40 pm
So happy you’re enjoying it! Thanks for the note!
By Ade July 10, 2014 - 3:13 am
How much did u pay for your moissanite?
By Rene Lacasse September 28, 2014 - 1:19 am
I bought a 8 CTW MOISSANITE! Marvelous….
By S Brooks October 31, 2014 - 6:55 am
I have a 3 ct Moissanite solitare and my husband has a 2 ct Moissanite solitare – both set in gold. We really enjoy our rings. Nobody knows the difference except us and a jeweler who has the special instrument used to tell the difference. We have had so many compliments on our rings, and will purchase Moissanite again if the opportunity arises.
By Diane Wolcott February 28, 2015 - 4:44 pm
I was wondering if a lab created Moissanite stone would test as a diamond like a natural Moissanite stone? How can you tell the difference between a natural stone and a lab created stone? I recently bought a ring with 3 Moissanite stones but I don’t know if they are natural or lab created. I had never heard of a Moissanite stone until after I bought the ring. I decided to do some research and came across your site. I do not want lab created Moissanite stones in my ring and I want to know if there is a way to find out if they are natural gemstones.
By Shane Stone March 3, 2015 - 8:25 pm
Hi Diane – Pretty much all moissanite you buy is lab created. It has been found a few times naturally, but for the most part it’s too rare to attempt to mine.
By Clare March 4, 2015 - 10:22 am
Let’s just clear this up. I am sending you through an article on the truth of Moissanite.
The Moissanite History:-
A Rare Jewel with a Brilliant Past. Fifty thousand years ago a meteorite crashed, scattering fragments across the Arizona desert. Hidden in these fragments was a brilliant secret waiting to be discovered…
In 1893, Nobel-Prize winning scientist Henri Moissan began studying fragments of this meteorite and discovered minute quantities of a shimmering new mineral, with fire and brilliance never before seen on earth.
After extensive research, Dr Moissan concluded the mineral was made of silicon carbide and, in 1905, this mineral was named Moissanite, in his honour. Despite this amazing discovery, since naturally occurring quantities of Moissanite are so minute, it would be another century before this stunning mineral would emerge as the brilliant jewel it is today.
In 1995, a master diamond cutter observed samples of Moissanite and suggested that properly-cut crystals would make a brilliant new jewel. Naturally-occurring quantities of Moissanite are so minute, they are not suitable for use in jewellery, so Charles & Colvard Ltd combined art and science to grow their own Moissanite crystals.
After a century of research they produced large, gem like quality crystals which can be faceted into near-colourless jewels with incomparable fire and brilliance. Moissanite, created by Charles & Colvard® is by far the rarest jewel on earth. It may look like diamond, however, it is a unique jewel with different physical, optical and chemical properties – that are just as dazzling!
By Dawn Burns April 25, 2015 - 1:57 pm
I recently took my ring into be sodered and the jeweler when I picked it up asked if I knew this was a moissanite? I said what? He informed me why he thought my diamond was really a moissanite due to heating it up when being sodered and it turned green he said.
We bought at the time 20 yrs ago what we thought was a 1 karat diamond ring at a pawn shop where my husband worked part-time and paid $2000 took it to a jeweler to get appraised and he said it was just under a 2 karat and appraised it at $12,000.
But after reading about moissanite and all he may be right. So we may have paid more for that size of a moissanite but I love my ring.
I should probably get it tested again.
By Shane Stone April 27, 2015 - 7:47 pm
Crazy story. But I agree – doesn’t matter – you love it and that’s all that matters 🙂
By Samantha Gorman May 1, 2015 - 5:42 am
My Boyfriend and I recently got engaged and he bought me a stunnign moissanite ring i’m not sure what karat as i didn’t want to ask and seem rude 😉
it is a beautifull square cut stone in a halo design with aprox 46 much cmaller stones surrounding the main stone and going down either side of the ring. it is beautifull and so shiny! I am always receiving compliments about it.
when he explained the origins of the Moissanite i was fascinated i mean its not everyday you recieve a ring of this origin and this beauty!
By Jane May 28, 2015 - 12:44 am
Need some advice… Have limited funds but after loosing my original diamond wedding band I have always wanted a platinum and diamond replacement but unfortunately I like chunky jewellery so the ones I like are out with my budget. Thinking of purchasing a stunning 2ct FB moissanite and palladium engagement and wedding band …. Scared not doing the right thing as nobody I know has a ring of this type .
By Mr Big October 2, 2015 - 5:23 pm
After doing years or research on diamonds I came across the alternatives.
On a trip to New York City, Manhattan I was able to go into the diamond district, I was able to see the Forever Brilliant Mossinites and other beauties. After looking over all the stones, it becomes a matter of preference. A Mossey’s and Amora gems are amazing I must say.
The allure of a Mossinite is fascinating in itself. The story and the properties are fascinating in my honest opinion. Sure it was made in a lab… and sure finding a natural one is a miracle in itself. But when you look at it, its simply stunning. Its nothing like a CZ NOTHING AT ALL…. and more dazzling then a diamond of the same caliber (due to the fire). C&C is now making a ‘Forever One’ line, which is colorless, unlike the FOREVER Brilliant which falls under the H and G color line. Don’t be afraid to buy either one. HOWEVER I would tell your bride to be about the stone before you buy one, it is not a DIAMOND! It is NOT a diamond… but a beautiful alternative to the BLOOD diamonds which fund wars and spill blood shed. F! that … I can still bling without the guilt, ones things for sure … it wont crack or chip under fire!! 🙂
By Shane Stone October 5, 2015 - 9:00 pm
Couldn’t have said it better myself, thanks for writing, Mr Big!
By Mr Big October 6, 2015 - 10:27 am
Sure thing… Once you see one and do the side by side comparison to other stones … weighing the pro’s and cons… its a no brainer.
By elena March 30, 2016 - 2:42 am
My husband bought me a 4 carat mossanite ring with 1 carat sapphire and 1/2 carat diamond ring. ICE.COM, wish I could attach photo. Love it
By Bron357 June 6, 2015 - 11:49 pm
Moissanite is a natural crystal however the colour is green/ yellow and the crystal tiny. All moissanite in jewellery is man made. Colourless Moissanite is a created (under patent) by Charles and Colvard (USA). It is considered an ethical, “green” and affordable diamond alternative. It can fool jewellers who are unaware of it and only use a thermal tester. Moissanite will “test” as diamond using a thermal tester however closer examination will usually reveal the double refraction aspect and usually small needle shaped inclusions. Moissanite is a beautiful gem, it’s is more “sparkly” than diamond as it has a higher refractive index. It is also very hard, 9.25 on Mohos scale, harder than sapphire (Diamond is 10). Cubic zirconia is softer, around 8 and they will scratch and dull over time. Cubic Zirconia have an affinity for oil and need very frequent cleaning to remain bright and shiny. Cubic zirconia are very “white”, Moissanite is more yellow toned. People feel the more mellow tone of Moissanite is less harsh and more realistic as a diamond alternative. I have both, I prefer Moissanite any day over diamonds.
By Mandi July 28, 2015 - 5:34 pm
I have a question. My fiancé and I have looked at the nexus stones and actually bought a loose 2ct round one thinking it would look like a diamond because that’s what they advertise. I’m not impressed. It looks like just another cz. I’ve now been looking at the Charles and colvard massionite. I’m a little gun shy now afraid it will look just like another cz. Can I get some feedback?
By Angelica December 31, 2016 - 4:34 pm
I just got engaged with moissanite and omg absolutely NOTHING like CZ!!!! Nobody can tell the difference between the moissanite and diamond it is absolutely stunning and I get compliments upon compliments on my ring!!!! CZ looks cloudy and like plastic but moissanite is the closest to diamond you’ll get! Hardness of a diamond ranks at 10 and hardness of moissanite ranks at 9.25!!! Believe me it’s worth it and I will be getting a moissanite wedding band to match my engagement ring!!