Whenever people think of selecting the perfect gemstone for their jewellery, the first thing that comes to their mind is diamond and moissanite. Even today people are in a dilemma that which is the best among diamond and moissanite and which one they should prefer for their jewellery. In this article, we are going to do a full comparison of diamond vs moissanite.
Key Difference Between Diamond and Moissanite
Diamond and Moissanite stones have many similarities but there are also many differences which make them different from each other. Today we are going to talk about all these aspects so that you will get clarity about which gemstone will be better for you.
| Feature | Diamond | Moissanite |
| Origin | Both Natural or lab-grown | It’s lab-grown diamond |
| Composition | Pure Carbon (100% carbon) | Silicon Carbide (SiC) |
| Hardness | 10 on Mohs scale | 9.25 on Mohs scale |
| Brilliance | Produce white sparkle (RI: 2.42) | More sparkle (RI: 2.65–2.69) |
| Color | Graded D (colorless) to Z (light yellow) | Near-colorless (DEF) or slight yellow/green |
| Clarity | It may contain natural inclusions | Contain very few inclusions) |
| Cut Shapes | Wide variety (round, oval, princess, pear, etc.) | Popular shapes available; some fancy shapes limited |
| Durability | Extremely durable for daily wear | Highly durable; suitable for everyday use |
Moissanite vs Diamond Price
Mining process is used to extract diamonds which costs a lot because this process requires a large labor force, heavy machines and land which increases the cost of diamonds a lot. As for Moissanite diamonds, this stone is made lab controlled which costs very less. The price of Moissanite is up to 90% less than diamonds.
Shine
Natural diamond produces white sparkle and its refractive index is 2.42. This sparkle becomes the center of attraction for many people and people also wear its jewellery, but very few people know that Moissanite produces much more sparkle than natural diamond. The refractive index of this gemstone is 2.69 and it produces rainbow like flashes.
Color Comparison
Diamonds are graded on the basis of color from Z (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). The less color it has, the higher the grade and the higher the price. Moissanite is nearly colorless and sometimes comes in yellowish and green colors. Premium Moissanite gemstones are mostly colorless.
Clarity and Inclusion
Diamonds are natural and usually have inclusions or blemishes. They are also graded according to their clarity from Flawless (FL) to Included (I1, I2, and I3). Moissanite diamonds are created in a controlled manner in the lab, which leads to fewer inclusions. If you want more clarity, then moissanite is a better choice for you.
Durability and Hardness
Mohs scale is used to measure the hardness of any gemstone. Diamond has a 10/10 rating on the Mohs hardness scale. It is the hardest mineral in the world. Moissanite gemstone has a Mohs scale rating of 9.25. This gemstone is also very hard which makes it perfect for daily wear jewellery.
Ethical and Environmental Impact
Diamond mining has been a very controversial topic. There have been controversies all over the world about child labour and environmental degradation during the mining process. This is the reason why many people consider diamonds as an ethical choice and do not even prefer to buy jewellery made from it. Moissanite is a lab-created diamond which is made in the lab. This gemstone is completely conflict-free, eco-friendly gemstone which does not have any negative impact on the environment.
Certification
Grading and certification of diamonds is done by renowned organizations like GIA and IGI. These organizations measure the diamond in various parameters and then certify it. Moissanite is also certified by GRA (Gemological Research Association), this organization is also a reputed organization which checks the purity of Moissanite.
Resale and Investment Value
Natural diamonds have high resale value and are considered a good option for long term investment. Moissanite has low resale value and is not a good option for investment but is good for jewellery.
Shape and Sizes
While buying diamonds, their shape and size are very important. Both Moissanite and Diamond come in many shapes and sizes. Natural Moissanite is later made into any shape but Moissanite is prepared in the lab and it is easy to make it in any shape and color.
Which One Should You Choose?
If you do not have any budget issues and you are thinking from an investment point of view, then diamond is the perfect choice for you. Moissanite diamond can be a good choice for you if you want to buy a diamond that produces brilliant sparkle and that too in budget. This stone is perfect for jewelry because it comes in budget and also gives a premium look.
