Moissanite Vs. Diamonds: 4 Things Everyone Should Know

When it comes to shopping for engagement rings, there are countless different factors to keep in mind. Everything from the 4C’s—cut, color, carat, and clarity—can impact how a diamond engagement ring looks, what it costs, and its brilliance. It’s important to consider every factor very carefully to choose the best ring for you.

But one factor that people sometimes forget to consider is looking into engagement rings that aren’t made of diamonds. Though diamonds are a traditional and traditional choice, other gemstones are growing in popularity thanks to their uniqueness, and often, their lower price point. Some stones, like moissanite, even have a similar look and feel to diamonds, making it hard to know which gemstone is the best choice for you. When it comes to deciding between moissanite vs. diamond for your engagement ring, there are four important things you should consider.

1. Most moissanite is created in a lab, but most diamonds are mined from the earth.

Diamonds that we use today in engagement rings and other jewelry were actually formed billions of years ago. Deep under the earth’s surface, massive amounts of pressure and heat built up, eventually turning carbon molecules into crystals. As more crystals form, it creates diamonds as we know them. The diamonds we find today have risen closer to the surface over centuries thanks to volcanic explosions and shifting land, which makes them possible to mine from the earth.

Moissanite, on the other hand, is a lab-made gemstone. Moissanite was first discovered as a mineral on a meteor in Arizona, but naturally occurring moissanite is only available in extremely small quantities—the quantities are so minute that it doesn’t even amount to enough to use in jewelry design. As a result, moissanite found in jewelry is always man-made in a laboratory.

2. Diamonds and moissanite have different levels of refraction, which gives them a different type of sparkle.

Though moissanite and diamonds are both undoubtedly beautiful, they have slightly different types of brilliance. Moissanite is the only jewel that falls above diamonds on the refractive index. At 2.65 on the scale, moissanite has even more brilliance and fire than a diamond, which makes it more sparkly and bright. Because moissanite refracts more light than diamonds, it also gives it a more “rainbow” look when it’s hit by the light, with colorful refractions bouncing off the stone.

Diamonds are faceted for internal sparkle, and often have shallower facets than a moissanite. That means that, instead of simply bouncing off the stone, the light reflects back into the diamond and off of the diamond, creating a multifaceted sparkle that is distinct to diamonds alone

3. Diamonds are the hardest gemstones used in jewelry-making, followed by moissanite.

Diamonds and moissanite are both extremely durable, making them the perfect candidates for engagement rings and other jewelry designs. The harder the gemstone, the less easily they scratch or chip, making harder stones perfect for jewelry worn everyday—like engagement rings.

All gemstones are graded on a scale of 1-10 in terms of hardness. Diamonds score a perfect 10 on the hardness scale and are one of the hardest substances known to man. Moissanite falls not far behind on the scale at 9.25. That means that both stones are strong, resilient, and scratch-resistant, which helps to maintain their sparkle and shine in for many years to come.

4. Though diamonds and moissanite look similar, the prices are often drastically different.

Because of the rarity of naturally occurring diamonds, the price tag is often high. And because diamonds are naturally occurring and the quantity is limited, that demand drives up the market value. Clarity, color, carat, and cut all also affect the pricing of a diamond, with larger, more colorless, and higher clarity diamonds usually having a higher price tag.

Unlike diamonds, moissanite is a very affordable option for engagement rings or other jewelry. Because of its man-made nature and its availability, moissanite offers the look of a diamond for a fraction of the cost. A moissanite jewel can be purchased for a few hundred dollars, while diamonds often have a several-thousand dollar price tag depending on size and quality.

Find the perfect engagement ring at Finer Jewelry.

At Finer Jewelry, our goal is to modernize the process of purchasing engagement rings. We’ve taken all of the guesswork out of diamonds, and will help you choose a stone and setting that represents you and your relationship. By eliminating the mass production from the process, we’ve made choosing your engagement ring more personal. With one-on-one appointments and customized designs, it’s an experience you’ll never forget—and a ring you’ll cherish wearing everyday.

Schedule your appointment today.