Moissante VS. Diamond Wedding Rings: A Comparison Guide

Diamonds have always been the most popular wedding ring gemstones, but did you know that there is an equally brilliant yet less expensive alternative? Enter moissanite! 

Some call it the diamond's humble little cousin. After all, moissanite almost practically rivals the diamond in terms of brilliance and hardness. What other aspects do moissanite and diamonds share, and how do they differ? 

This moissanite vs diamond comparison guide details the qualities of each gem and how they stack up against each other. With moissanite engagement rings rising in popularity, it pays to know why this gem is such an attractive alternative to the world's beloved diamond.

WHAT IS MOISSANITE?

Moissanite is an extremely rare naturally-occurring mineral that, quite literally, fell from the skies. Scientifically, it is known as silicon carbide, as its chemical composition contains silicon and carbon. It was named "moissanite" after the Nobel Prize-winning scientist, Dr. Henri Moissan, who in 1893 discovered crystal traces of the mineral in a crater in Arizona. Aptly called Meteor Crater, the site contained scattered fragments from a meteorite that fell to the Earth during a massive meteor strike some 50,000 years ago. Dr. Moissan initially thought the crystals in those rock samples were diamonds, but he later identified them as silicon carbide. Moissanite was not used in jewelry until 1998, when Charles & Colvard patented the creation of silicon carbide in laboratories for use as gemstones. Due to the incredible scarcity of moissanite in its natural form, all of the moissanite in use today are lab-created.

COMPARING MOISSANITE VS DIAMOND

BRILLIANCE

In terms of brilliance, moissanite slightly wins over the timeless diamond. Moissanite has a brilliance refractive index of 2.65–2.69, just a tad higher than the diamond’s BRI of 2.42. This means that moissanite engagement rings are actually more brilliant than their traditional diamond counterparts! 

Many people do still prefer the subtle sparkle of diamonds, finding moissanite too sparkly for their liking. Natural colorless diamonds have a pristine brilliance, while lab-created moissanite can sometimes have a greenish or yellowish hue within the crystal.

In 2015, Charles & Colvard released their colorless moissanite, branded Forever One — the true rival to the popular colorless diamond. Because moissanite and diamonds are nearly identical in brilliance, it is often difficult to tell them apart. To the untrained eye, they are practically indistinguishable from each other.

HARDNESS AND DURABILITY

Everyone knows diamonds are the hardest minerals on earth. It scores a 10 on the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness. Moissanite is a very close second at 9.25, which again makes it worthy alternative over traditional diamonds. As further comparison, rubies and sapphires are rated at 9 and emeralds at 7.5 to 8.  

Being one of the hardest substances known to man, diamond is highly durable and can withstand daily wear and tear. Diamond engagement rings are guaranteed to be scratch-resistant and timeless, which is why it's it should always be your first choice.

AFFORDABILITY

Pricing for diamonds are based on shape and the essential 4Cs of diamond quality: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. The cost of a loose diamond, whether natural or lab-created, will vary according to its quality rating. However, diamonds produced in a laboratory are understandably less expensive than naturally-occurring ones. 

Moissanite, on the other hand, is significantly cheaper than either natural or lab-created diamonds. In fact, the price of a classic non-colorless moissanite gemstone is only a fraction of the cost of a GIA-certified diamond. To illustrate, say you have a 1.5 carat diamond in the 10-thousand dollar range. 

A classic moissanite stone of the same size can cost about 500 dollars, while a colorless moissanite can reach up to slightly over a thousand. Quite a far cry from 10 thousand dollars, don’t you think? In the moissanite vs diamond battle for affordability, moissanite clearly wins.

Tip: To get the best diamond ring deals, go for wholesale engagement rings as these have considerably lower prices and good quality. 

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF MOISSANITE

• ECO-FRIENDLY CREATION

Because moissanite is created in a laboratory, its production does not affect the environment in comparison to traditional diamond mining. No digging up of precious soil and no carving holes into mountains. Consequently, pollution, disruption of eco-systems, and exploitation of natural resources can all be avoided. This environmentally friendly approach redefines the industry’s views on the production of fine jewelry, and no doubt gets more than a nod from environmental advocates. 

• CONFLICT-FREE PRODUCTION

Having gemstones created in a laboratory instead of mined from deposits also prevents the exploitation of workers, a significant impact on social responsibility considering the issues that surround diamond mining enterprises. No blood diamond stories here! Moissanite production is free from conflict so consumers can enjoy their fine jewelry without worrying about its origins.

• CARING FOR THE JEWELRY

Caring for your diamond rings is typically the same as for any other fine jewelry. Diamond is resistant to grease, oil, and dirt than diamonds, so it is relatively easy to clean. There are a few care tips to remember:

• Never use abrasive cleaners for your diamond rings and other fine jewelry. Warm soapy water is an acceptable solution; use a soft toothbrush to gently brush dirt from your jewelry.

• If buying a ready-to-use jewelry cleaner, be sure to choose a non-toxic solution.

• Take off your jewelry when doing heavy manual labor, household cleaning, or extreme sports. Although moissanite and diamond are highly durable gemstones, your ring’s metal band and setting may still be susceptible to scratching and damage from harsh chemicals.

• Have your jewelry checked and cleaned professionally at least every six months to once a year.

• Ultrasonic cleaning is an effective cleaning option, but it is not for all types of jewelry. We recommend that you only go for ultrasonic cleaning at the jeweler’s and not try to do it yourself.

• If your jewelry has delicate settings or intricate filigree details, it is best to have them cleaned professionally to get all the dirt and grime out without accidentally damaging any parts.

• Store your jewelry separately in appropriate boxes or pouches. A jewelry box that features individual padded slots is also a great option. 

• We do not recommend just throwing all your jewelry together in one container because the harder gemstones, such as moissanite and diamond, can scratch and damage the less durable ones. In addition, some metals may react with one another when they come into contact, which could cause discoloration.