The Difference Between Diamonds and Moissanite

When shopping for a sparkling piece of jewellery, it’s easy to be dazzled by the variety of beautiful stones available today. Two gemstones that are often compared are diamonds and moissanite. They’re both beautiful, both brilliant, yet fundamentally different. Here’s how the two truly compare.

Origin

Diamonds are formed deep within the Earth over billions of years under incredibly high levels of pressure and heat. Their natural origin makes them rare and valuable. Although lab-grown diamonds aren’t formed the same way, they do have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds. They’re an excellent alternative if you’re looking for something more affordable without compromising on quality or brilliance.

Moissanite was originally discovered in a meteor crater. However, the natural version of the gemstone is incredibly rare and almost impossible to find. Almost all moissanite available today is made in a lab. While it does share some similarities with diamonds, moissanite is a completely different gemstone with its own chemical makeup.

Price

Moissanite is typically cheaper than diamonds. While the lower price point might seem appealing to begin with, it’s important to consider long-term value.

Lab-grown diamonds offer exceptional value for money without the high price tag of natural stones. At Angelic Diamonds, our lab-grown diamonds give you the chance to enjoy the prestige, luxury, and durability of diamonds at a more accessible price. Unlike moissanite, diamonds keep more of their value over time, too.

Durability

Durability is important, especially when it comes to something like an engagement ring or a wedding ring that you’ll wear every day. Diamonds are the hardest naturally-occurring material on the planet, scoring a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness. This means they’re incredibly resistant to scratching and are ideal for everyday wear.

Moissanite scores 9.25 on the Mohs scale. While this is still impressive, it’s not quite as good as the durability diamonds offer. In the long-term, this difference can affect the look and longevity of the gemstone.

Colour

Diamonds come in a huge range of colour grades, from completely colourless to subtle hints of yellow or brown. You can even get coloured diamonds, although they’re very rare and highly valued. They’re known as fancy coloured diamonds and come in shades including yellow, green, blue, pink, and red.

Most moissanites have a slightly yellow or grey tint which becomes more obvious when you hold them up to the light. Even moissanite stones that claim to be completely colourless may not have the same icy brilliance that high-quality diamonds do. Similarly to diamonds, you can also get fancy coloured moissanites which come in almost any colour you can imagine.

Brilliance

Diamonds and moissanite are known for their sparkle, but the type and brilliance of the sparkle differs between the gemstones.

Diamonds offer the classic, balanced brilliance that we all love. They combine white light (brilliance), colourful flashes (fire), and scintillation (sparkle as the stone moves) to create a mesmerising show.

Moissanite has a different kind of sparkle. It has a higher refractive index than diamonds, which causes it to emit more fire. This creates a rainbow-like effect. While some people find this beautiful, others think it makes the gemstone look overly flashy or fake, when compared to the refined sparkle of a diamond.

Diamonds: the Clear Winner

While many consider moissanite to be an affordable alternative to diamonds, it just doesn’t compare to the natural beauty, durability, and timeless elegance of a real diamond. If you’re looking for a high quality gemstone with a more affordable price tag, lab-grown diamonds provide the perfect middle ground.