If youâre in the market for purchasing a diamond, you may have come across moissanite as an alternative. But what is moissanite? And how does it compare to diamonds?
For starters, moissanite is a lab-grown stone with similar properties and qualities to diamonds, but at a fraction of the cost.
In this blog post, we will dive into the differences between moissanite vs diamonds and help you decide which one is right for you.
Can you tell the difference between moissanite and diamonds?
The main difference between moissanite and diamonds lies in their appearance. Moissanites have more fire and brilliance than diamonds, meaning they sparkle more when exposed to light. This makes them appear much brighter and larger than diamonds of comparable size.
On the other hand, diamonds are known for their icy white hue and clarityâmaking them a popular choice for those looking for understated elegance.
Is moissanite durable?
Durability is another key factor when choosing between moissanite and diamond jewelry. On the Mohs Scale of Hardness, diamonds rank a 10 out of 10 while moissanites rank a 9.5âjust below diamond in terms of hardness and durability.
While both gems are very durable, diamonds tend to be more scratch-resistant due to their higher ranking on the Mohs scale.
Is moissanite valuable?
The cost difference between the two gems can be quite substantial; buying a diamond costs anywhere from five to twenty times more than buying an equivalent-sized moissanite gemstone!
While this doesnât mean that one stone is better than the other, it does mean that if budget is your primary concern then opting for a moissanite stone could be your best option.
What are the Pros and Cons of Moissanite vs Diamonds
Moissanite Pros
Moissanite is gaining in popularity due to its affordability compared to diamonds. It has a dispersion of 0.104, giving it more fire than diamond (0.044).
Due to its high refractive index (2.65-2.69) moissanite looks brighter than diamonds, with more sparkle and brilliance.
Additionally, moissanite is extremely durable with a hardness rating on the Mohâs Scale of 9.5. It also comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, making it easier to find the perfect stone for your ring or piece of jewelry.
Moissanite Cons
The biggest disadvantage of moissanite is its appearance â it does not look identical to diamond, though it does have similar characteristics such as sparkle and brilliance. In addition, as synthetic stones, they are not as valuable as natural diamonds, meaning they may not hold their value over time as well as a diamond would if you ever choose to resell them in the future.
Lastly, due to their softer hardness rating on the Mohâs scale they may be prone to scratches if worn regularly without proper care and protection from hard surfaces or items that could scratch them like keys or coins in your pocket or purse.
Diamond Pros
Diamonds are one of the most valuable stones available on the market today â they are rare, durable and timelessly beautiful gems that have been coveted by many cultures throughout history for their beauty and rarity.
Unlike moissanites which come in various shapes and sizes based on whatâs available in production batches, diamonds come in virtually any size or shape imaginable because they are naturally occurring stones found deep within Earthâs crust.
As such, they may be more difficult to find but also offer more unique options for customizing pieces since you can select from virtually any size or shape desired â something difficult to do with moissanites which are limited by what is produced via lab-grown batches only!
Lastly, because diamonds are so valuable their resale value will likely remain higher over time than other gemstones like moissanites depending upon quality factors like color, cut, clarity, so if you ever decide to sell your diamond piece down the road you should get a higher return than if selling other gems like moissanites instead!
Diamond Cons
Diamonds cost much more than other types of gems like moissanites thanks largely to their rarity â most commercially available diamonds were mined hundreds or even thousands of years ago!
They also require extra care when wearing them regularly since they have a higher hardness rating on the Mohâs Scale, meaning they may be prone to scratches if exposed too often without proper protection from hard surfaces or items that could scratch them like keys or coins in your pocket or purse!
Finally due to their high refractive index (2.42) â some people may find that diamonds donât sparkle quite as brightly as some other stones like moissanites when viewed side by side due mostly just being less âsparklyâ overall compared with other stones despite having similar cut or color specifications.
Conclusion â Moissanite vs Diamonds
While both gemstones are beautiful in their own right, there are some significant differences worth considering before making your purchase decisionânamely visual appearance, durability, and cost.
Ultimately, understanding these differences will help you choose the right stone for your needs so that you can enjoy it for years to come! If you need help deciding which stone is best for you or would like advice on selecting the perfect piece of jewelry, our experienced jewelers are here to help! Contact us today!