Moissanite FAQs

Is Moissanite as Good as Diamond?

Moissanite presents a highly affordable and visually comparable alternative to diamonds for engagement rings, offering exceptional durability along with superior brilliance and fire. While diamonds are the hardest known natural material with a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, moissanite ranks just behind at 9.25. This makes both gemstones well-suited for everyday wear, providing long-lasting beauty and resilience.

Is Moissanite Pawnable?

While moissanite closely resembles diamonds in both appearance and durability, its market value is significantly lower. As a result, some pawn shops may accept moissanite jewelry, but the cash offered will typically be much less than what would be offered for a comparable diamond piece. It’s important for sellers to understand this value difference when considering resale or pawn options.

Why is Moissanite so Cheap?

Moissanite is considerably more affordable than natural diamonds, primarily because it is lab-created rather than mined. This controlled production process eliminates the high costs associated with traditional diamond mining, such as extraction, labor, and international transport. Furthermore, moissanite has a lower density than diamond, which means a moissanite gemstone can appear larger than a diamond of the same carat weight. This contributes to its greater visual impact at a lower price point.

Does a 3 Carat Moissanite Look Fake?

Moissanite bears a striking resemblance to diamond, but it is not a "fake" diamond. Rather, it is a distinct gemstone with its own unique properties and origins. A helpful comparison is the concept of doppelgängers, unrelated individuals who happen to look remarkably alike. Similarly, moissanite and diamond may appear nearly identical to the untrained eye, yet they are entirely different in composition and formation.

Is it Worth Buying Moissanite Jewelry?

Moissanite is one of the most ethical and sustainable choices for engagement rings. As a man-made gemstone, it requires no mining, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional diamonds. This ensures that you can enjoy a beautifully brilliant stone with a clear conscience, knowing that its production has minimal impact on the planet.

Can Moissanite Pass Diamond Tester?

Moissanite can pass a basic diamond tester, particularly those that measure thermal conductivity. However, more advanced diamond testers, which also assess electrical conductivity, can accurately differentiate between moissanite and diamonds. While moissanite and diamonds share some similar properties, these more sophisticated tests reveal their distinct compositions.

Which is Better, Moissanite or Cubic Zirconia?

Moissanite is widely regarded as a superior choice over cubic zirconia, particularly when durability and brilliance are key considerations. Moissanite is harder, more resistant to chipping, and has a higher refractive index, which allows it to exhibit more brilliance and "fire" than cubic zirconia. While cubic zirconia is a more budget-friendly option, moissanite offers greater long-term value, making it an ideal choice for everyday wear, especially in engagement rings.

Is a Moissanite Worth Anything?

Depending on the quality grade and brand, a 1-carat moissanite typically ranges in price from $200 to $600. Are Moissanite and Lab Diamonds the Same? No, they are distinct stones. Moissanite has a rating of 9.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, is composed of silicon carbide, and is known for its vibrant, rainbow-like reflections. In contrast, lab diamonds are chemically identical to natural diamonds and share the same optical properties, but they are created through synthetic processes.

Can a Jeweler Tell if a Diamond is Moissanite?

Yes, a skilled jeweler or gemologist can identify moissanite. Although moissanite and diamonds look similar, experts can tell them apart.

Is it Ok to Buy Moissanite?

Moissanite rings are renowned for their durability, scratch resistance, and ability to withstand high temperatures, making them an excellent choice for everyday wear. Opting for moissanite is also an ethical and eco-friendly decision, offering a conflict-free, sustainable alternative that delivers brilliant sparkle without the environmental and ethical concerns associated with diamond mining.

Is Moissanite a Luxury?

The price of moissanite is influenced by factors such as size, cut, clarity, and color. However, when compared to diamonds of similar quality and size, moissanite is generally far more affordable, offering exceptional value without compromising on appearance or durability.

Does the GIA Provide Certification For Moissanite?

Based on the factors mentioned above, respected institutions such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI) issue certificates of authenticity for moissanite. Moissanite grading provides a comprehensive evaluation of the stone's quality, authenticity, and overall reliability.

How Can You Tell if Moissanite is Good?

When choosing high-quality moissanite, it is essential to focus on its visual attributes. Opt for stones that are colourless, clear, and free from any visible inclusions. The cut should be precise, as this significantly influences the gemstone’s brilliance and overall sparkle. To ensure you are purchasing a genuine and top-tier moissanite, buy from reputable, established sellers who provide transparent grading reports that assess the stone’s quality and authenticity.

Is Moissanite Considered Fake?

The stone known as moissanite (silicon carbide) is real, despite having a diamond-like appearance. Moissanite has an intriguing history. Henri Moissan, a French chemist, was exploring the Arizona meteor impact site in 1893 when he discovered several little crystals that appeared to be diamonds.

How Long Will Moissanite Last?

Some may have concerns about whether moissanite can match the durability or lasting brilliance of a diamond ring. However, moissanite shares many of the same properties as diamonds in terms of longevity and resilience. We are confident in the lasting quality of our moissanite rings, which is why all of our moissanite comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Should I Tell People my Ring is Moissanite?

There’s no need to feel hesitant about choosing a highly sustainable gemstone that outshines diamonds in brilliance. Colorless and near-colourless moissanite closely resemble diamonds, offering an equally stunning appearance while being a more environmentally conscious and ethical choice.

Is Moissanite Ok For An Engagement Ring?

Moissanite is a premium lab-created gemstone engineered to deliver exceptional brilliance, fire, and durability—qualities that make it a superior alternative to traditional diamonds. With a hardness rating of 9.25 on the Mohs scale, it offers outstanding resistance to scratching and everyday wear. Its high refractive index gives it more sparkle than a diamond, making it a captivating centerpiece for any engagement ring. Ethically produced and environmentally conscious, moissanite combines luxury, longevity, and value—without compromise.

What Does VVS1 Mean in Moissanite?

VVS1 stands for Very, Very Slightly Included, indicating a diamond with minute inclusions that are extremely difficult to detect even under 10x magnification. These microscopic imperfections have no impact on the diamond's visual appeal or structural integrity, making VVS1 diamonds exceptionally high in clarity and quality.

What is Better Than Moissanite?

Moissanite is a highly durable gemstone, ranking 9.25 on the Mohs scale of hardness. This makes it exceptionally resistant to scratches and chipping, suitable for everyday wear. However, lab-grown diamonds are the most durable option, scoring a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale. For individuals with active lifestyles or those concerned about long-term wear, lab diamonds offer the highest level of hardness and resilience.

How Real Does Moissanite Look?

Yes, moissanite closely resembles a diamond in appearance. It is typically near-colorless and has a refractive index similar to that of a diamond, giving it impressive brilliance and sparkle. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has identified moissanite as the most convincing diamond simulant. However, many jewelers consider moissanite a legitimate diamond alternative in its own right, even though the term "imitation" is frequently used in online discussions.

Does Moissanite Get Cloudy Over Time?

Moissanite retains its clarity over time and does not cloud with age.

Is Moissanite a Real Gem?

Yes. Moissanite is a beautiful, naturally occurring mineral called silicon carbide. It was first discovered in 1893 in a meteor crater in Arizona. As it is exceptionally rare in nature the only way to supply gems to the jewellery market is to recreate it in a lab setting. Moissanite made in a lab has identical properties to its natural counterpart. Just because the moissanite on the market has been made in a lab does not make it fake.

Is Moissanite a Fake Diamond?

Definitely not. A fake diamond is something that looks similar to a diamond, isn’t a diamond, but is being sold as one anyway for financial gain. Moissanite is sold and marketed as moissanite. It shares many qualities with a diamond, but crucially has its own advantages (extra sparkle, ethical provenance etc) which means that there is no need to pretend it is a diamond.

Do Moissanite Rings Look Fake?

No. They have more sparkle than a diamond, but not so much that they look fake. Moissanite’s greater sparkle is actually one of its most attractive qualities.

Fire refers to a gemstone’s ability to split white light into the rainbow colours of the spectrum: moissanite’s dispersion rate is twice that of a diamond, which means that it produces far more of the eye-catching colourful sparkles that give a stone life.

Brilliance refers to the amount of white light reflected back through a gemstone. Moissanite’s refractive index is slightly higher than a diamond which means that it has slightly more brightness.

Add moissanite’s superior fire and brilliance together and you have a spectacular looking stone that is incredibly vibrant and vivid, but not at all fake looking.

Is Moissanite the Same as Cubic Zirconia?

No. Moissanite is made of silicon carbide, while cubic zirconia is made of zirconium dioxide. An exceptionally cheap, man-made stone, cubic zirconia entered the jewellery market in the 1970s. It looked so similar to a diamond that it was soon used to dupe unsuspecting customers into thinking that they had bought a diamond. In recent years cubic zirconia has gotten a rebrand as CZ and is often sold as itself as a cheap diamond alternative on fashion jewellery sites.

Is Moissanite Better Than Cubic Zirconia?

Absolutely! At first glance they may appear pretty similar: both give you the wonderful clear sparkle of a diamond. However, while moissanite will retain its same brilliance, colour and clarity for a lifetime (and beyond!) cubic zirconia starts to lose its sparkle after just a few years. Cubic zirconia gets irreversibly cloudy over time as it is a porous stone that absorbs oils from the skin and chemicals and dirt from exposure to everyday life. Cubic zirconia is also less scratch resistant than moissanite and its sharp edges have a tendency to become rounded and dull over time. Put simply: a moissanite engagement ring is a forever ring, a cubic zirconia ring is temporary.

How is Moissanite Graded?

Moissanite is graded according to the same scale as a diamond: colour, clarity, cut and carat. Unlike diamonds, however, moissanite is sized by mm instead of carats. This is because moissanite weighs around 15% less than a diamond, which means that a 1 carat diamond is actually bigger than a 1 carat moissanite.

Is a 1 Carat Diamond the Same Size as a 1 Carat Moissanite?

No. Carat weight does not measure the size of a stone, rather its weight. Different gems have different densities which is why two different gemstones of identicial size can in fact have different carat weights. Since moissanite is 15% lighter than a diamond a 1 carat moissanite is smaller than a 1 carat diamond.

This means that where a round 1 carat diamond would have a diameter of 6.5mm, a 6.5mm moissanite only has a carat weight of 0.88. To avoid confusion in a market used to a correlation between diamond carat weight and size, moissanite is sold by mm size and its diamond equivalent weight.

Is Moissanite Good Value?

Absolutely! If you compare a moissanite and diamond of similar colour, clarity, cut and carat weight you will find that the moissanite could be up to 90% cheaper than the diamond.

MOISSANITE CARE

How Do I Clean Moissanite?

Easily! Moissanite doesn’t require any special cleaning tools or chemicals. All you need to do is let your ring soak for a few minutes in lukewarm soapy water. Gently brush it with a soft toothbrush until all the dirt has been removed. Rinse, then dry and buff with a lint-free cloth. For extra sparkle consider taking your ring to a jewellery store for an ultrasonic cleaning.

Can I Shower with a Moissanite Ring?

Yes. As moissanite is a non-porous stone any soaps or chemicals that it comes into contact with in the shower will not damage it. Over time these may build up and cause your ring to look slightly dull. A simple cleaning will clear this up and have it looking as good as new in no time.

Can I Reset My Moissanite Gemstone?

Yes. As moissanite is an extremely durable gemstone it is highly unlikely to be damaged during any work done by an experienced jeweller.

Can I Resize My Moissanite Ring?

Yes. Moissanite’s high heat tolerance means that it can withstand the heat required to repair most jewellery without being damaged.

Does Moissanite Change Colour Over Time?

No. Moissanite is an extremely stable gemstone. It is resistant to household chemicals and extreme changes in temperature so its colour will not change over the years.

Does Moissanite Lose its Sparkle?

No. Take a little care of your moissanite and it will look as good as the day you bought it for many years to come. It is a non-porous gemstone which means that any dirt or grime that accumulates on the surface stays there and will not enter the stone. If your moissanite starts to look cloudy all you need to do is give it a gentle clean and it will regain its sparkle in no time!

Can Moissanite Be Scratched?

The Mohs hardness scale is used to measure the relative ability of one mineral to scratch another. Moissanite rates a 9.25, second only to diamonds at 10. This means that the only thing that can scratch a moissanite is a diamond or another moissanite. In addition moissanite is actually less likely than a diamond to chip or break. It is still important to take good care of your ring though, as no gemstone is completely indestructible.