Known for refined jewellery design and a seamless, modern shopping experience, this gemstone guide compares moissanite and diamond, highlighting their differences in appearance, durability, pricing, and overall characteristics. Each guide is thoroughly researched and reviewed by certified gemologists along with experienced content and editorial teams to ensure exceptional accuracy, clarity, and industry-leading standards.

What Is Moissanite?

Moissanite is a gemstone composed of silicon carbide. Often described as a “gemstone from the stars,” it was first discovered in 1893 by chemist Henri Moissan while examining fragments of a meteorite. Initially believed to be diamonds, the crystals were later identified as silicon carbide, and the mineral was eventually named moissanite in his honor.

Naturally occurring moissanite is extremely rare. While it was first found in meteorites, small quantities were later discovered deep within the Earth’s mantle. Due to its rarity in nature, moissanite used in jewellery today is exclusively created in laboratories.

Lab-grown moissanite is produced using advanced technology in controlled environments, making it fully traceable and eliminating the need for mining. As a result, it typically has a lower environmental impact and a smaller carbon footprint compared to mined gemstones.

Today, moissanite is a popular alternative to diamonds and is widely used in fine jewellery, particularly as a centre stone for engagement rings, admired for its brilliance, durability, and ethical appeal.

Is a Moissanite a Diamond?

Moissanite is not a diamond. Although it is grown in laboratories and closely resembles a diamond in appearance, the two gemstones differ in their chemical composition. Diamonds are made of carbon, while moissanite is composed of silicon carbide.

To the untrained eye, moissanite can appear similar to a diamond; however, it has a higher refractive index. This means moissanite produces more colorful, rainbow-like fire when light passes through the stone. Diamonds, on the other hand, are physically harder, rating a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale compared to moissanite’s 9.25.

While both gemstones exhibit brilliance, dispersion, scintillation, and strong thermal conductivity, moissanite and diamonds remain distinct materials with different physical and optical characteristics.

Moissanite vs. Diamond vs. Lab Diamond

Durability
Gemstones are measured on the Mohs scale, which addresses a gem's hardness.

Moissanite

Moissanites are at 9.25 on the Mohs scale, making them suitable for everyday wear.

Diamond

Diamonds, the hardest known naturally occurring mineral, are a 10 on the Mohs scale, making them the ideal option for engagement rings.

Lab Diamond

Lab diamonds are a 10 on the Mohs scale, making them the ideal option for engagement rings.

Brilliance
Brilliance refers to the appearance of light reflected from the gemstone's interior.

Moissanite

Moissanites are slightly more brilliant than diamonds, though they feature more than twice the amount of fire. If a moissanite is larger than 1 carat, the difference in fire can be very noticeable as it has a refractive index of 2.64 to 2.69.

Diamond

Natural diamonds are slightly less brilliant than moissanite and feature two times less fire, though they still exhibit dispersion and scintillation. The refractive index of diamonds ranges from 2.417 to 2.419.

Lab Diamond

Lab diamonds are slightly less brilliant than moissanite and feature two times less fire, though they still exhibit dispersion and scintillation. The refractive index of diamonds ranges from 2.417 to 2.419.

Color
Color is the presence or absence of color visible within a gemstone.

Moissanite

While most moissanites can now be grown as colorless or near colorless, they are also created in hues of teal, grey, green, yellow, and black.

Diamond

Natural diamonds occur in the colorless range, but they also occur in many colors, including pink, blue, and yellow from trace elements like nitrogen and boron.

Lab Diamond

The rarest lab diamonds are those in the colorless range, but they are also created in many colors. Lab-grown colored diamonds are more accessible than natural colored diamonds and can often be found in more vivid, fancier colors.

Price
Price references how much you will pay for a gemstone.

Moissanite

Moissanite is dramatically lower in price than diamonds of the same carat weight. Their pricing is based on size, shape, and whether the stone is colorless or near colorless.

Diamond

Natural diamonds are the most expensive. As they are mined from the Earth and take billions of years to form, they are much rarer than both moissanite and lab diamonds. In addition to their rarity, diamonds are priced based on their 4 C's and shape.

Lab Diamond

Lab diamonds cost less than their natural counterparts due to their origin but cost more than moissanites. As with natural diamonds, lab diamonds are priced based on their 4 C's and shape.

Sourcing
Sourcing refers to the origin of the gemstone and how it was produced.

Moissanite

Moissanite is grown in controlled laboratories by professionals. Once formed, they’re cut and polished.

Diamond

Natural diamonds form deep in the Earth. Then, they are mined, cut, and polished.

Lab Diamond

Lab diamonds are grown in controlled laboratories by professionals. Once formed, they’re cut and polished.

How to Tell a Moissanite From a Diamond

If you are not trained in the differences between diamond and moissanite, telling the difference can be difficult. The best way to tell the difference is to line up two similarly sized gemstones, one moissanite, and one diamond, and compare them next to one another.

Moissanite vs. Diamond Side-by-Side

The distinct sparkle of a diamond is a unique combination of reflected light, the colors that refract through it, and its scintillation. While moissanite exhibits light reflection, color refraction, and scintillation, it also features more than two times the amount of 'fire' than diamonds, meaning it shows more intense flashes of rainbow light than diamonds. This 'disco ball' effect, which is more prominent in moissanite with larger carat weights, is the best way to quickly distinguish between moissanite and diamond.

To officially confirm the difference between a moissanite and a diamond, take it to a trained professional. By examining the ‘doubling’ of opposing facet junctions with a loupe, they can validate if your stone is a moissanite or a diamond.

Benefits of Moissanite

  • Mining Free

    Moissanite is lab created with minimal environmental impact.

  • Value

    Moissanite is less expensive per carat than many other gemstones.

  • Durability

    Moissanite is a 9.25 on the Mohs scale of hardness, so they’re suitable for everyday wear.

Tips on Selecting a Moissanite

While shopping for a moissanite is not unlike shopping for any other gemstone, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Unlike diamonds that are graded by independent institutions on cut|, color, clarity, and carat, moissanites are reviewed only for cut, color, and clarity. They’re categorized by their color and rated as Premium or Super Premium. A Premium moissanite is similar to a G-H color diamond, while a Super Premium moissanite is in the D-E-F range. As the technology to create a moissanite is so advanced, there is very little variation in their quality.

Lastly, it’s most important to consider if moissanite is the right gemstone for you. To come to a conclusion, think about its difference from diamonds (its fire, scintillation, price, and durability) to determine if it’s your ideal fit.

Most Popular Moissanite Rings

Explore our most popular settings to pair with a moissanite.