What is moissanite?

Moissanite is a gemstone born from the stars. It was first discovered in 1893 by a French scientist named Henri Moissan, who later won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He discovered microscopic particles of the gem that would eventually bear his name in Arizona, in a crater created by a meteorite that fell to Earth. He initially thought he had discovered diamonds, but later determined that the crystals were composed of silicon carbide.

Natural moissanite is incredibly rare, so the moissanite available today is created in a laboratory. After many years of trial and error, the particles discovered by Moissan were successfully synthesized to produce what is now one of the most brilliant gemstones in the world.

Moissanite and rings

Moissanite, known as a diamond simulant, is designed to give the illusion of similarity to diamonds, but it is visually and compositionally very different from a real diamond. The durability, brilliance, and color of the two gems are quite distinct. One common property of diamonds and moissanites is that both are very good thermal conductors.

Moissanite vs diamonds

	Moissanite	Diamond
Brilliance:	Moissanites exhibit a different type of brilliance than diamonds, since their faceting pattern is different. Some love the fiery rainbow flashes given off by moissanite, but others feel that moissanite's heightened brilliance can create a "disco ball" effect, especially in sunlight. The larger the moissanite, the more likely the difference is to be noticeable. Moissanite has a refractive index of 2.65 to 2.69, which is higher than a natural diamond.	A different type of brilliance is what allows a moissanite to be distinguished from a diamond. Diamonds reflect light in three different ways. The reflected white light is called brilliance, while the rainbow of colors refracted through the diamond is called dispersion. The flash from a diamond's surface, known as scintillation, is a third type of light return from the diamond. The combination of these three gives diamonds their famous sparkle.
Durability:	On the Mohs scale, moissanite gemstones rate a 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them suitable for everyday wear.	Diamonds are the hardest known mineral and rate a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. Because of this exceptional score, diamonds are very durable and ideal for everyday wear. This contributes to their popularity as center gemstones for engagement rings.
Color:	While moissanites are labeled as "colorless," the gems can still cast a yellow or grayish tone in certain lights. Here again, the larger the moissanite, the more noticeable the color.	A colorless diamond, whether natural or lab-created, has a natural body color that contains no traces of yellow, brown, or gray, resulting in a bright, dazzling white appearance.
Price:	For the same size from the top view, moissanites are priced much lower than diamonds of that size. Moissanite gems generally vary in price only by size and whether the stone is Premium or Super Premium.	Prices for natural diamonds and lab-created diamonds vary by shape, carat, cut, color, and clarity. Lab-created diamonds are more affordable than natural diamonds.
Sourcing:	Because moissanites are lab-created, they are an attractive option for those seeking an eco-friendly gemstone, since they require no mining.	We go beyond current industry standards to offer Beyond Conflict Free ™ diamonds that have been selected for their ethical and environmentally responsible origins, as well as lab-created diamonds that are ethically grown with minimal environmental impact

Where does moissanite come from?

Because they are grown in controlled environments using advanced technology, moissanites require absolutely no mining to produce. Therefore, their origins are easily traceable.

Compared to natural gemstones, lab-created moissanites have a smaller carbon footprint and result in a lower environmental impact. Fine jewelry made with moissanites and recycled metals is a responsible choice.

Most popular moissanite rings

Other affordable diamond alternatives