Moissanite vs Diamond: Beauty, Durability, and Price - Gem Society (2024)
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When it comes to engagement ring stones, there’s a lot to consider. In the moissanite vs diamond debate, we’ll look at three main factors: beauty, durability, and price. Ultimately, the best choice for your engagement ring is the gem that you prefer.
Learn more about moissanite and why so many are opting for a moissanite engagement ring, and why others prefer a more expensive diamond.
Although moissanites do occur naturally (and very rarely) in very tiny crystals, when consumers compare moissanites and diamonds they’re most likely considering synthetic moissanites. This is a form of crystalline silicon carbide created in laboratories and widely used as a diamond simulant. Unless you’re shopping for rare mineral samples, when you encounter moissanites and moissanite rings for sale, you’re dealing with the synthetic variety.
Moissanite vs Diamond: Which is More Beautiful?
The top question in the moissanite vs diamond debate is whether one holds more beauty than the other. Certainly, moissanite is a convincing diamond simulant. To tell the difference between diamonds and moissanites, jewelry experts need a “moissanite tester”— a device that measures electrical conductivity— and a loupefor a close visual examination. However, there are slight differences in their beauty that consumers may notice.
Brilliance and Fire
When you’re looking at a diamond, you’ll notice both brilliance (white flashes) and fire (colored flashes). Moissanite also shows both, but typically has more fire than diamond. So, moissanite tends to have more colored flashes of light than diamond.
However, this depends partly on the diamond cut. Diamonds with older cut styles or modern cuts with certain angles will show more fire than most modern diamonds. This can make it difficult to tell the difference between the two.
Distinguishing moissanites and diamonds based on brilliance and fire isn’t reliable, but it’s easier to see at larger sizes. Even so, unless you have experience in the jewelry industry, you won’t be able to tell the difference justbased on appearance.
Today, you can readily find moissanites in the same range of color as white diamonds. This wasn’t always the case.
“Classic” moissanite has a yellowish or brownish color, often compared to J through M color diamond. This range works best with yellow gold or rose gold settings and vintage styles.
However, moissanite is also available in colors equivalent to “Near Colorless” G to I range and “Colorless” D through F range. This gives moissanite buyers great options for mimicking their favorite diamond looks and styles.
Still, moissanite can change color based on lighting and may not always look perfectly colorless. Some stones will appear more yellow or yellow-green. Those sensitive to color may prefer diamond or white sapphire to moissanite.
Clarity
Because moissanites are grown in laboratories, they don’t have the large clarity imperfections that diamonds may contain. So, a moissanite will always be eye-clean, while diamonds may contain imperfections visible to the eye.
For those with low budgets, finding an eye-clean diamond in their desired size can be difficult. It involves examining many diamonds very closely. This can be time consuming and may require expert help.
Is Diamond More Durable Than Moissanite?
Hardness
At a 10 on the Mohs scale, diamond is well-known as the hardest material. Nothing but a diamond can scratch another diamond. With a hardness of 9.25, moissanite is the second-hardest material used a gemstone. Unless you store your moissanite with diamond jewelry, it’s highly unlikely that it will scratch.
Toughness
However, determining whether moissanite or diamond makes a tougher gem material is difficult. People who sell moissanite may claim moissanite is tougher, while those who sell diamond may claim the opposite.
Moissanite doesn’t have acleavage plane, while diamond does. (This is an internal plane along which a diamond crystal can easily split). This gives a durability advantage to moissanite. However, this doesn’t help establish how hard a moissanite needs to be knocked until it chips or shatters.
The IGS cannot corroborate the following measurements of pressure tolerance in millions of pounds per square inch (PSI) for diamond, moissanite, and cubic zirconia (CZ), another well-known diamond simulant. However, they may give some basis for comparison:
If reliable, these figures indicate diamond takes about twice as much pressure to break than moissanite, while moissanite takes three times as much pressure to break than CZ. However, it’s not clear if the measurement for diamond is an average of pressure applied in any direction or if it was taken along its cleavage plane, which would be weaker. (CZ, like moissanite, also lacks a cleavage plane).
Generally, both diamond and moissanite are unlikely to chip or crack, although this is always a possibility and also depends on the type of cut. (For example, princess cuts may chip more easily than rounds). When choosing between these gems, durability isn’t a significant factor.
Budget and Size for Moissanite vs. Diamond
Cost is almost always a major factor when choosing an engagement ring. When comparing moissanite vs diamond, moissanite is the clear winner in the price category. Check out the moissanite sizes you can get for the following budgets, compared to diamonds of different color grades.
For simplicity’s sake, these are prices for round diamonds, with the highest carat weight in the budget for an eye-clean SI2, excellent-cut diamond from James Allen. These diamond prices represent a bare minimum of eye-clean quality. Moissanite sizes are taken from Brilliant Earth’sSuper Premium moissanite, which is equivalent to a D-E-F diamond color grade.
As you can see, moissanite offers major cost savings. Even spending under $1,000, you can get a stone the size of a one-carat diamond. For a diamond this size, you’d pay at least $3,000, with significant compromises in color and clarity. If you spent that much on a moissanite it would be huge, over 1 cm across!
Even at smaller budgets of $500, the size difference between moissanite and diamond is significant, with a moissanite being 8% larger than a diamond with faint color or 20% larger than a D-E-F diamond.
Natural Origins or Lab-Made Beauty?
Ultimately, the most important factor in your decision on moissanite vs diamond— even more so than cost— will be whether you’d just prefer to have a diamond or a moissanite.
Some consumers prefer diamond for tradition, prestige, or natural origin.Others prefer moissanite for sustainability or ethical reasons, or simply because they can get the aesthetic they desire for less. This is a personal choice with no wrong answers. If you’d prefer a diamond, buy a diamond. If you’d prefer a moissanite, buy a moissanite.
Where to Purchase a Moissanite or Diamond Engagement Ring
If you’ve decided on a diamond, read about diamond quality first to avoid paying more than necessary. Because a diamond is such an expensive and personal purchase, you simply must get a closeup look at how it sparkles before buying. To get the most for your money, we recommend using online dealers like James Allen and Blue Nile. Both provide 360° video of their diamonds and plenty of ring settings to choose from. With their extensive selections of diamonds, you’re sure to find the one that’s best for you.
For moissanite, quality is far less variable, making the shopping experience easier. Charles & Colvard, the original manufacturer of gem-grade moissanite, has hundreds of ring styles to choose from, all available online.
If you just can’t seem to find the right engagement ring style, try contacting the experts at CustomMade. Whether diamond, moissanite, or something else entirely, CustomMade will help you find the perfect center stone for your style and budget and place it in a unique engagement ring you’ll cherish.
However, moissanite doesn't fall far behind. “Moissanite is the second hardest to diamonds on the Mohs hardness scale,” O'Connell says. “Based on rankings from one to 10, diamonds are a 10 and moissanite is a 9.25-9.5.”
The most effective way to tell Moissanite apart from a diamond is to use a loupe to look through the top, or the crown, of the jewel at an angle. You will see two slightly blurred lines that indicates a double refraction, an inherent quality of Moissanite. Double refraction is easier to see in some shapes than others.
Yes, some diamond simulants can pass a diamond tester.
For example, moissanite, a man made gem, may pass as a diamond on a standard tester pen. This is because moissanite also has very high thermal conductivity! Other diamond simulants, such as CZ, will not pass the tester.
Not quite. Although moissanite is lower on the scale than a diamond at 9 to 9.5, moissanites are still durable. The only minerals that scratch a moissanite are those equal or higher on the scale — namely, diamonds and other moissanites. ... The Mohs Scale of Hardness.
Will Moissanite last forever? Yes it will. Moissanite is a beautiful gemstone that is very hard – a 9.25 on the hardness scale! So, just like a Diamond is forever, so too, is Moissanite.
Nope.Moissanite does not get cloudy. The stone might get murky from daily wear but it's nothing that won't wash away with a good cleaning. I've got a dirty little confession: one of the reasons I love moissanite is because it stands up to grim better than real diamonds.
Moissanite stones are not exactly as hard as a diamond, coming in a 9.25, but that's still plenty hard enough to cut glass and pass the last century's diamond test. In fact, that score makes moissanite the second hardest gemstone, just shy of diamond.
Moissanite has virtually the same heat conductivity that's why it will show up as diamond on a pen tester. More advanced Xray table testers can differentiate moissanite from natural diamonds however these machines are very big and expensive and are generally not geared towards consumers.
Fortunately, Moissanite's lower price point is not reflective of its quality. The lower price point is simply a reflection of supply and demand in the engagement ring industry. While we are seeing a shift toward using other gemstones for engagement rings, over 90% of couples are still choosing Diamonds.
Is moissanite resistant to scratching? Yes. Moissanite is durable, tough and extremely resistant to scratching and abrasion. With a hardness of 9.25-9.50, moissanite is harder than all other gemstones except diamond.
In addition, the font used for the inscription on the moissanite was “distinctly different” from GIA's usual font and, while GIA does not assign clarity grades to lab-grown moissanite, the stone in question is equivalent to a VVS2, while the clarity grade on the report for the natural diamond is VVS1.
As the world's most brilliant gem®, Forever One™ moissanite outshines all the rest. As unique as you are, Forever One embodies beauty and elegance in its own way. This incredible white gemstone is full of fire and perfect for those who want the highest quality responsibly sourced gemstones at an accessible price.
The traditional cone shaped cut with a rounded top contains 58 facets, which allows for maximum light reflection making it the best cut for brilliance, fire and sparkle.
There are three grades of moissanite. The first grade and the clearest of the three is the D-E-F range. The second one, which is almost colorless, is G-H-I. The third one, which has different shades of hue, is under J-K range.
Moissanite is known for its high retractive index of 2.69, which is 25% greater than the refractive index of a CZ. The higher the refractive index, the more brilliance the jewel emits. Moissanite's dispersion of light is 58% greater than a CZ. Therefore, Moissanite emits more fire, or flashes of rainbow light, than CZ.
Keep things simple. One of the best ways to clean moissanite jewelry is to simply use a mild soap like this one, warm water and either a soft cloth or toothbrush.Place the moissanite jewelry in the soapy solution, then gently brush the stone, taking care to get into the hard to reach areas.
Like lab diamonds, most moissanite is made in a lab, too. Natural moissanite is extremely rare, so most of the moissanite jewelry you find is manmade. They can be made colorless.
While hand sanitizers are not necessarily harmful to your moissanite gemstone, build up of hand sanitizer solution may have your stone looking dull, like it has less sparkle than normal. A formula of mild soap and water or our MOISSY FOAM CLEANER will get your piece sparkly again!
As the second hardest gemstone on earth, moissanite is extremely durable and highly scratch resistant, making it perfect for everyday wear as your engagement ring stone.
Moissanite Is Less Susceptible To Chips And Cracks Than Diamonds. The harder a gem is, the more scratch-resistant it is, but the more brittle and susceptible to impact damage it is. While moissanite is extremely scratch-resistant, being rated a 9.25, it can potentially be susceptible to damage from an impact.
Though highly resistant to dirt and grime, oils will slowly build up on the surface of your ring over time. This blocks light from entering your stone and you may notice that the sparkle of your moissanite is slightly dull. This is completely normal and is easily removed – right in the comfort of your own home!
Moissanites or white sapphires are most comparable to a diamond. While there are visible differences, these gems will look the closest to a diamond while offering a more affordable price. These stones are also high on the Mohs scale of relative hardness, making them suitable for everyday wear.
Cleaning is necessary for the gemstones to shine and sparkle and its fire to remain. Moissanite tends to get dull from the oil from soaps, cosmetics, skin, and your activities throughout the day. Grease and oil can have much of an impact on them but nothing a quick cleaning can't fix!
By holding a diamond close to a source of light, such as a flashlight, you can tell whether or not it's real. Watch closely for the shimmers of light that shine from the stone. A real diamond will reflect light easily, and provide you with a disco ball or rainbow-like display.
Place a white piece of paper on a flat surface and draw a small dot with a pen. Lay the stone onto the dot with the flat side down. Through the pointed end of the diamond, look down onto the paper. If you see a circular reflection inside the gemstone, the stone is fake.
Most diamonds will reveal blue florescence under a black light; therefore, you'll see a medium to strong color of blue, which means the diamond is real. If you don't see the blue color and instead see a slight green, yellow or gray fluorescence then this usually indicates the gem is not a real diamond.
While we won't call out names, most rappers now rock moissanite rings, pendants, & earrings. It's a great choice cause why overspend on diamonds that don't hold value, better to invest in real estate, stocks, & savings. Our favorite jeweler is Harlembling.
To his amazement he found that any UV light worked. Moissanite testers that don't work on some 'difficult' Moissanites work perfectly when the stone is exposed to UV light. If you are buying a Moissanite tester, buy a UV light too, they really are not expensive.
The technique was patented in 1998 and the synthetics are created with the sublimation method. Today this gemstone synthetic is marketed as Charles & Colvard created Moissanite™. ...
As one of the hardest substances on earth, it is the perfect option for your engagement ring stone. Highly scratch-resistant and sparkly, moissanite stones will never tarnish or become cloudy – and we can guarantee this with a lifetime warranty!
Moissanite's fire is rated at 0.104, while the fire of a diamond is rated at 0.044, meaning moissanite will give off more rainbow flashes of light. Moissanite is much less expensive than diamonds. Moissanite can be about $400 to $600 per carat while a one-carat diamond can be anywhere between $2,000 to $20,000.
Moissanite is known for its high retractive index of 2.69, which is 25% greater than the refractive index of a CZ. The higher the refractive index, the more brilliance the jewel emits. Moissanite's dispersion of light is 58% greater than a CZ. Therefore, Moissanite emits more fire, or flashes of rainbow light, than CZ.
Moissanites do not have the significant clarity flaws that diamonds do because they are grown in laboratories. As a result, Moissanite will always be eye-clean, whereas diamonds may have visible flaws.
As the world's most brilliant gem®, Forever One™ moissanite outshines all the rest. As unique as you are, Forever One embodies beauty and elegance in its own way. This incredible white gemstone is full of fire and perfect for those who want the highest quality responsibly sourced gemstones at an accessible price.
Simply soak your ring in warm water with a mild soap and gently scrub with a soft toothbrush or cloth, paying attention to clean those hard to reach areas. Once clean, rinse off any soap residue and dry with a lint-free cloth for a freshly sparkling moissanite ring.
Over time it will begin to block light more and more light from shining through the stone, permanently dulling its shine. Moissanite, on the other hand, is an extremely durable, non-porous, and scratch-resistant gemstone.
Cut Grading: the wide, clear “table” of the emerald cut really highlights the clarity and brilliance of moissanite stone. While the heavily faceted oval, pear and round cuts are unbeatable for refracting light, the emerald cut is the best style for exhibiting the natural clearness and depth of precious gemstones.
Moissanites rank as a 9.25 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, that means they are harder than sapphires, rubies, and emeralds, which are all durable stone options. It will last through everyday wear and tear without scratching, breaking, or chipping as easily as softer gemstones.
Fortunately, Moissanite's lower price point is not reflective of its quality. The lower price point is simply a reflection of supply and demand in the engagement ring industry. While we are seeing a shift toward using other gemstones for engagement rings, over 90% of couples are still choosing Diamonds.
Moissanite does have inclusions like a diamond and it may also have a greenish tinge to its colour. Swarovski Crystal isn't a gemstone or even a crystal it's a form of glass that's made at high temperatures by melting silicon oxide powders with lead to form what is known as lead crystal.
Moissanites or white sapphires are most comparable to a diamond. While there are visible differences, these gems will look the closest to a diamond while offering a more affordable price. These stones are also high on the Mohs scale of relative hardness, making them suitable for everyday wear.
Moissanite rings have been prevalent for a long time. However, they were not as popular, and until recent years, people have discovered that they may use moissanite over diamonds. Moissanite rings have gained popularity in their use.
If you are considering a moissanite as a diamond alternative do not waste your money. Moissanite is a lab created synthetic mineral sold as a diamond alternative. It is overpriced, often times discolored with a greenish hue, and has absolutely no resale value.
Yes, you can wear your moissanite engagement ring in the shower. On its own, water will not harm your moissanite stone. However, repeated exposure to soap, shampoo and conditioner can create a build-up of oils on the surface of your ring. This can give your stone a filmy appearance, dulling its sparkle.
The Oval moissanite tend to appear "shorter" than traditional oval cut diamonds. For example, a 2 carat oval diamond might measure 10mm in length x 7 mm width whereas a 2 carat oval moissanite measures 9mm x 7mm.
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