In our previous post, we discussed various semi-precious stones that can be excellent alternatives to diamonds. One of those sparkling stones was Moissanite. It stands out from the list because it’s the closest substitute.

Both diamonds and moissanite are rare gems that are similar to each other in appearance, but differ on colour, durability, price and brilliance. Many people opt to buy moissanite in place of diamonds, but don’t understand the differences between them. Here’s a comparative analysis of both the gems to help you make your decision.

Origin

Diamonds are a crystalline form of pure carbon. They’re formed at high temperatures and pressure in the Earth’s mantle. Moissanite gems are born from the stars. They were first discovered by a French scientist named Henri Moissan in 1893 in a crater created by a meteorite that fell to Earth. They’re composed of silicon carbide.

Price

Moissanite gems and diamonds differ greatly in terms of price. Diamonds are expensive and can cost you a fortune. Moissanite gems, on the other hand, can be bought at a comparatively lower cost. The cost of diamonds may vary according to the cut and clarity whereas moissanite gems are usually of the same price and vary only on the basis of type and size.

Colour

Be it natural or lab created, diamonds are colourless. There are no signs of grey, brown or yellow colours. That’s what gives a diamond the familiar bright white appearance. On the other hand, moissanite gems are slightly grey or yellowish. However, it is hard to identify the yellow or greyish hue in smaller gems.

Durability

Diamonds score 10 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness (a scale to measure the ability of a gem to withstand surface scratching). This score makes diamonds the hardest known mineral. They are durable and ideal to be used as engagement rings’ center gemstone as they don’t get damaged easily. Moissanite stones score 9.25 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. They are also durable and can withstand scratches.

Brilliance

Brilliance means the ability of a gemstone to reflect white light. Here, moissanite is more brilliant than a diamond because it disperses more light and has a greater refractive index. Diamonds have a different faceting pattern and their sparkle is a combination of brilliance, dispersion, and scintillation, whereas a moissanite gems give a disco ball effect.

Moissanite gems and diamonds may look similar in appearance, but are distinct from each other in many areas. However, moissanite is a great alternative to diamond and easily affordable. If you want to stick to the traditional look, then there’s nothing better than a diamond. If you want to have the beauty of a diamond in your jewellery collection without compromising on the budget, then moissanite is the best bet.