We can already picture the scenario. You’re hunting for an engagement ring and coming across plenty of sparkly gems. You might be wondering: Are all of these real diamonds? Probably not. There’s a good chance that some of these stones are moissanites. Never heard of them? Don’t worry! We’re here to help you learn more about these fiery diamond simulants.

Is Moissanite a Diamond?

Although moissanites look similar to diamonds, they’re not the same. They’re instead a popular, affordable and sustainable alternative to diamonds. While diamonds are made of carbon and graded based on the Gemological Institute of America’s diamond grading system (ex. color, clarity, cut and carat weight), moissanites are made from the rare mineral silicon carbide and only judged on color.

Cost is another big difference between these two gemstones. Moissanites often cost 70% less than natural diamonds, making them an ideal choice if you’re on a budget.

Diamonds vs. Moissanites

History of Moissanite 

Moissanite is known as the gemstone born from the stars! That’s because silicon carbide was discovered in an Arizona meteorite crater nearly 130 years ago. The gem is named after Nobel Prize-winning chemist Dr. Henri Moissan, who first came across silicon carbide crystals and mistakenly thought they were diamonds. It was later determined that they had a different chemical structure than diamonds.

As striking as these crystal pieces may have been, they were too small to make gemstones. Over time, scientists developed a thermal growing process to produce silicon carbide crystals and therefore moissanite in a laboratory. More than 25 years ago, jewelry company Charles & Colvard turned moissanite into gemstone quality and became the premier creators of the gem. By the late 1990s, colorless moissanite became a popular choice for engagement rings!

Pros of Moissanite 

Moissanite is a very durable gem and resistant to scratching, scoring higher than rubies, sapphires and emeralds on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Diamonds are the only gemstones that surpass moissanite in strength.

Since moissanite is grown in a laboratory vs. extracted in mines, it’s a more eco-friendly option. The creation process causes less damage to surrounding land and natural resources!

Moissanites have a higher rating when it comes to fire dispersion and the brilliance refractive index. This means moissanites reflect light better than diamonds and create more colored sparkle.

Moissanites also weigh less than diamonds, so you can stretch your budget and choose a larger stone for a lower price. It’s important to note that moissanite weight will often be listed as “diamond equivalent weight” or DEW. That way, shoppers can understand how the stones compare.

Since moissanite contains silicon, it’s less likely than diamonds to attract grease and dirt. Unlike other diamond alternatives, such as cubic zirconia, moissanite is also less likely to dull over time.

Moissanites can have inclusions (imperfections inside of the stone). But due to their laboratory growth process, they have fewer visible imperfections than those found in natural diamonds. Therefore, nearly perfect moissanites are readily available at reasonable prices.

*Pro Tip: Moissanites follow a different color grading scale than diamonds. They can fall into one of three categories: colorless (D-E-F range), near colorless (G-H-I range) and faint hues of color (J-K range)

Shop our preset moissanite engagement rings or design your own!

Have a question? We can help!

Gage Diamonds is Chicago's premier jewelry showroom and online retailer of engagement rings, wedding bands, and fine jewelry. We offer a selection of dazzling Gage Select and Charles & Colvard moissanite rings.

We’re committed to helping you find the ring of your dreams. For inspiration, browse our website or set up an appointment with a member of our trusted staff at our in-person showroom.

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