Moissanite vs Diamond: What Is the Real Difference?

If you are shopping for a ring, pair of earrings or pendant, you will quickly meet two stones that look alike at first glance: diamond and moissanite. They are not the same material, and knowing the differences helps you buy what suits your budget and the way you wear jewellery.

What is moissanite?

Moissanite is silicon carbide. It was first found in 1893 by the French chemist Henri Moissan in fragments from a meteor crater in Arizona. Natural moissanite is extremely rare, so the stones used in jewellery today are grown in a laboratory. They are real moissanite, not glass and not a coating on another stone.

How do they compare?

• Hardness: diamond scores 10 on the Mohs scale and moissanite about 9.25. Both are hard enough for daily wear; only diamond is harder.
• Sparkle: moissanite has a higher refractive index (about 2.65 to 2.69, against 2.42 for diamond) and more dispersion, which is the rainbow flash of coloured light. Many people notice a livelier, more colourful sparkle in moissanite and a whiter, more subtle brilliance in diamond.
• Origin: mined diamonds are taken from the earth. Moissanite is lab-grown, which some buyers prefer for ethical and environmental reasons.
• Price: a moissanite stone of the same size usually costs a fraction of a diamond, so you can choose a larger stone or put the savings towards a better setting.
• Weight and size: moissanite is a little lighter than diamond, so a 1 carat moissanite measures about 6.5mm across, which is slightly larger than a 1 carat diamond.

Which should you choose?

Choose diamond if tradition and the highest possible hardness matter most to you. Choose moissanite if you want a bright, durable stone at a much lower price, and enjoy a bit of extra fire. Neither is wrong; it comes down to what you value.

Shop moissanite at Orolane

Our range is set in sterling silver, with some pieces in gold plate. Browse our moissanite rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets.