The demand for diamond jewellery increases a lot during the wedding season. But due to the high price of diamonds, it is out of the reach of most people. But don’t worry cheaper alternatives of diamonds like Moissanite and Cubic Zirconia are available in the market. If you are confused about which of these two should you buy, then today in this article we are going to discuss the difference between Moissanite vs Cubic Zirconia.
Moissanite Versus Cubic Zirconia
Before making a choice between these two gemstones, you need to know about these two gemstones. Everyone knows that diamond is natural and is extracted through the mining process. If we talk about Moissanite and Cubic Zirconia, then the process of making them is different and due to this both these gemstones are cost effective.
Moissanite
Moissanite diamond is a popular gemstone known for its durability and affordability. This stone was discovered in 1893 by a French chemist named Henri Moissan. Moissanite is also found naturally but is very rare and is mostly created in the lab. After natural diamond, moissanite is the only gemstone that is very hard and the jewellery made from it is very durable.Moissanite jewellery cost is less than natural diamond jewellery.
Cubic Zirconia
Cubic Zirconia is also an affordable alternative to diamond which was first created in the late 1970s. These diamonds are also lab created and are widely used in jewellery. The hardness of diamond is measured on the Mohs scale, Cubic Zirconia scores between 8 and 8.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. If we compare it with moissanite, its hardness is less than that of moissanite stones.
Difference Between Moissanite and Cubic Zirconia
| Feature | Moissanite | Cubic Zirconia (CZ) |
| Material | Silicon Carbide | Zirconium Dioxide |
| Origin | Lab-created (originally found in meteor) | Lab-created Diamond |
| Hardness (Mohs Scale) | 9.25 | 8 to 8.5 |
| Brilliance (Sparkle) | Very High (more sparkle than diamond) | Less than moissanite |
| Durability | Extremely durable, scratch-resistant proof | Less durable, can scratch or dull over time |
| Appearance | Very similar to diamond, not easy to differentiate | Diamond-like but with a glassy look, easy to differentiate |
| Weight | Weight is less than CZ | Heavier than Moissanite Diamond |
| Price | More expensive than CZ | Very affordable |
| Refractive Index | 2.65 – 2.69 | 2.15 – 2.18 |
| Ideal Use | Engagement rings, pendants and bracelets | Fashion jewelry, costume pieces |
Which one Choose Between Moissanite vs Cubic Zirconia?
Moissanite Stones and Cubic Zirconia are both considered to be the best alternatives to natural diamonds. Both are lab created gemstones whose manufacturing process does not have any negative impact on our environment, so both are ethical and eco-friendly choices.
The Moissanite diamonds look like natural diamonds. It is very difficult to tell the difference between them with the naked eye. If we talk about Cubic Zirconia, it also looks like a diamond but no one can tell the difference between them.
But if you want a durable, more sparkly and budget friendly diamond for your jewellery, then Moissanite is perfect for you. This stone is better than Cubic Zirconia in almost every way; it is just a little more expensive than Zirconia.
Conclusion
Moissanite and Cubic Zirconia are both high quality stones which are affordable alternatives to natural diamonds. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages but it is completely up to you which one you want to choose.
In this article, we have given detailed information about Moissanite vs Cubic Zirconia. We hope that through this article all your confusions about these two diamonds will be cleared.
