5 Differences Between Diamonds and Moissanite

Moissanite has been classified as a scarce and rare mineral since its discovery in a meteor crater back in 1893, which reinforces its appeal to both jewelers and consumers alike. Moissanite is regularly used as a diamond alternative in jewelry making, and many people are unable to distinguish the two gemstones.

Still, it is possible to tell the two apart. If you are wondering whether to use moissanite to make your jewelry or if you want to learn more about the stone and its synergy with diamond, here are 5 key differences between diamond and moissanite:

Is Moissanite a Diamond?

No, moissanite isn’t a diamond. To know what moissanite really is, you must first explore its origins, chemical formula, as well as its refractive index. For now, however, it is a totally different mineral than diamond.

Moissanite might appear almost identical to diamond, but it is definitely not the same entity. If you are wondering whether moissanite is actually a natural gemstone, the truth is that it is. However, considering just how rare moissanite is, it is mostly produced synthetically.

Moissanite Value

Is moissanite a valuable mineral? The price you pay for moissanite can vary significantly. The cost of moissanite is just a small fraction of that of a diamond. The price of moissanite stones only really varies with size. A moissanite stone typically sells for 10 to 15 percent of the price of a diamond with the same cut and clarity.

Hardness

Consumers and jewelry makers alike prefer harder stones due to their ability to withstand knocks and accidents without scratching easily. It is part of the appeal of diamonds, scoring 10 on the Mohs scale. Moissanite doesn’t differ much. It scores 9.5 on the Mohs scale, which is higher than all other gemstones besides diamond.

Color and Clarity

Does moissanite resemble a diamond? Diamonds can be graded by color, while moissanite can’t. Instead, it is classified by its closeness to being colorless.

Grade 1: Colorless (DEF)

This is grade 2: Almost Colorless (GHI)

Grade 3: Subdued Color (JK)

When it comes to inclusions, moissanite can commonly have needle-size inclusions that are invisible to the naked eye. 

The vast majority of gemstones actually have inclusions because they are part of the crystal structure and are unique to each stone. The inclusions can be seen in magnification, but they don’t compromise clarity. 

Moissanite is such a rare mineral that it is generally manufactured in laboratories. This means that the appearance of the stones can be controlled by the laboratory conditions since any internal defects likely to compromise clarity are eliminated.

Brightness

One area where moissanite beats diamond is brightness. It is known for its superior white light reflection ability to that of a diamond. It has a gloss refractive index of about 2.65 to 2.69 while diamonds have a refractive index of 2.42. Moissanite’s shine is precisely what makes it shine because it is not as likely to get dirty. It stays shiny for longer between cleanings.

If you would like to compare the brilliance of moissanite with other gemstones besides diamond, here are some examples below:

Emerald: 1.58

Sapphire: 1.77

Ruby: 1.77