Is Moissanite A Lab-Grown Diamond?

Is Moissanite A Lab-Grown Diamond?

If you're in the market for an engagement ring, you've probably seen moissanite offered as a center stone option. Moissanites look almost identical to diamonds, but are they really the same stone?

Is Moissanite A Lab-Grown Diamond?

Are Diamonds and Moissanite the same?

No, moissanite is not the same as a diamond. Both moissanites and diamonds are fully their own unique gemstones. Both of the stones are naturally occurring and also can be grown in a lab environment. 

Moissanite is known chemically as silicon carbide in crystalline form. It's an incredibly rare stone to find in nature; even rarer than diamonds. This is why all the moissanite you'll see being used in jewelry is lab-grown. 

Diamonds are more well-known than moissanite. A diamond is made up of the element carbon with its atoms arranged in a crystalline structure. While it's common to find diamond jewelry made from naturally occurring stones, lab-grown diamonds continue to increase in popularity.

Do Moissanites and Diamonds look exactly the same?

Diamonds and moissanites look very similar, there's no doubt. But there are visual differences between the two stones that can be observed.

Moissanite refracts more light than a diamond does and thus has more brilliance. It also has a double-refraction quality. This means that the facets of the stone can appear doubled at certain angles. Since diamonds do not have this quality, they may appear more crisp to the eye.

Moissanite also has more fire than a diamond. On a moissanite stone, flashes of light will look more colorful than on a diamond of similar cut and size. A diamond appears to have a mostly white-looking sparkle, while a moissanite appears to have a more colorful sparkle.

Moissanites and diamonds also share similar wearability performance, since they are very close to one another on the hardness scale. Diamonds are a 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale and moissanite is a 9.5, so they are not easily scratched.

Should You Choose A Diamond or Moissanite?

It's up to you whether you want to choose a diamond or a moissanite for your ring, and there are unique benefits to each that may influence your decision. 

Diamonds are seen as the traditional choice for engagement rings. A diamond ring will offer the best durability, however moissanite is not far off. 

Diamonds, both natural and lab-grown, are also more expensive than moissanite. Moissanite gems can be purchased at a fraction of the cost at around 15% of what a diamond of similar size would be.

If you have your eye on natural diamonds, it's important to know that they may contain more flaws and inclusions than lab-grown diamonds and moissanites within a similar price range.

Moissanites are not as well known as diamonds, and some people may prefer diamonds due to traditional expectations or preferences. Some people may also prefer the color, brilliance, and fire of one stone over the other.

Conclusion

Moissanites are often used to simulate diamonds in jewelry, though the stones have different properties and chemical makeups. Thus, they will look and perform differently. Moissanites and diamonds are both incredibly beautiful stones that add their own distinctive allure and value to a piece of jewelry. Luvari is here to help you choose the right stone for your engagement or wedding ring. 


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