Due to the close resemblance between moissanite and diamond, many people are not able to tell the difference. Therefore, the debate between moissanite gems vs diamond gems is an interesting one among jewelry lovers and continues to this day. However, these two are unique on their own. Diamond is pure carbon whereas moissanite is silicon carbide (SiC). This is where their differences stem from.
We all know diamonds because they have been around for centuries. However, one may want to study the history of moissanite before making a comparison with diamonds. Well, Henri Moissan first discovered moissanite from a meteorite in 1893. Despite the close resemblance, lab tests showed that whereas diamond was pure carbon, moissanite was not.
What makes Moissanite and Diamonds Different?
A mere look with the naked eye cannot tell the difference between a diamond and a moissanite gem. This is so because improved lab processes have produced high-quality moissanite that resembles diamond in many ways. Therefore, you need the help of an expert to tell a diamond from moissanite.
Moissanite stones are top diamond alternatives. However, you cannot pass off moissanite as a diamond. Here are key factors that create the difference between moissanite and diamonds:
We all love gemstones for their beauty and sparkle. For a long time, nothing shone better than diamonds. However, moissanite produces more fire and brilliance than diamonds. This is so because of the gem’s high refractive index. Therefore, you will easily tell moissanite from a diamond because it shines better than a diamond.
Gemstone cuts are responsible for their sparkle. Unlike diamond, moissanite is easily cut and shaped into various shapes. As a result, vendors can produce more beautiful and elegant stones.
On the Mohs scale of hardness, moissanite does not produce the same score as a perfect diamond. While diamond has a score of 10 out of 10, the moissanite score on this scale is 9.25. Therefore, these two stones are different despite coming close in the value of strength and hardness.
Due to this quality, a diamond is more resistant to damage and scratching than moissanite stones. Although these two gems last forever, diamonds will last slightly longer than moissanite.
To this date, diamond is still a scarce gem to find. Therefore, a lot of sophistication is involved in its sourcing. Due to the number of resources used in the mining of diamonds, the value of diamonds is high and attracts high prices.
On the other hand, moissanite is lab-grown and thus ensures a sustainable supply and pocket-friendly prices. Most importantly, moissanite will give you high value at an affordable cost.
High-quality diamond is usually colorless and free from any blemishes and inclusions. Over the years, diamond has been the standard for other gems in the jewelry industry. On the GIA scale of color, a colorless diamond is graded D-E-F with the low-quality versions ranking beyond F.
On grounds of color and clarity, diamond ranks better than moissanite. However, you can still find colorless, “near-colorless” and classic moissanite gems. In that case, diamond is the standard used for measuring the quality of moissanite. Therefore, you will find moissanite gems with color and clarity values close to that of D-E-F diamonds.
Diamond is naturally sourced through mining. However, most of the moissanite you will find in the market is synthetic. Therefore, lab-grown gemstones are not the same as natural options. That means diamonds have a more natural feel than moissanite. However, it is limited to the shape formed inside the earth’s crust.
In contrast, moissanite is available in different shapes and sizes. As a result, you can easily work with this gem to make custom jewelry designs.
There is a very thin line between diamond and moissanite. However, diamond is class and still superior to moissanite in various ways. In addition, a diamond is still the hardest and most durable gem known to man. However, due to its high cost, not many people can afford it. For that reason, moissanite is a great alternative due to its high qualities and close similarities to diamonds. All the same, moissanite is not a diamond.
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