Rings play an important key role in one of the most important days in our life, the day of the wedding. What good is a wedding without a ring? A wedding ring is a very crucial object for this special occasion, and you also want that thing to be of special material.
Some people may wonder which ring should they go for, a Moissanite or a Diamond ring? Here, we are going to do head to head comparison with both and let you know which one suits you the best.
In a traditional sense, diamonds reign supreme when it comes to engagement rings. This does not mean they are the only viable option out there. There are plenty of other options out there if you are looking for an alternative. Such an excellent alternative is Moissanite.
Moissanite is extremely durable and a very good substitute for diamond, if you ask me. It is nearly a perfection-like gem due to the process of its making. It is clean, clear, and very tough, only second to the diamond if you measure in the hardness scale of gemstones.
Key Differences Between a Diamond & Moissanite
Color
Diamonds have a variety of colors if you ask me. These colors range from icy-water, gray hues, or snowflakes color.
Diamonds are grown naturally and mined from the ground, that is why the environment has an impact on its color variation. Consumers consider clear white diamonds to be more valuable and desirable for their appearance.
Moissanites do not form on earth naturally, they originated from space meteorites. That is why they are being lab-created, which makes it possible to control their production and regulate in a consistent way.
This is the main reason why it is possible to achieve any form of perfection or eliminating the flaws that naturally formed stones might have. Moissanite rings that you will find are mostly colorless, their colors mostly range from D-I on a color scale.
Their colors can be tinkered with because they are synthesized in a lab. It is a good substitute for a diamond ring and some people do prefer moissanite rings over a diamond.
Hardness
When you see the hardness of stones on the Moh scale of hardness for stone, you will see a moissanite score from 9.25 to around 9.5 out of 10. A diamond tests 10 out of 10 in this test.
This means they are very hard to put a scratch on these stones. Despite being second to diamond, moissanite is still pretty hard. It won’t be easy to put scratch or chip on it.
Brilliance
The way how your engagement ring sparkle, is a matter of importance. Moissanite has higher refraction than a diamond when it comes to brilliance. Moissanite’s crystalline structure allows it to sparkle longer.
The way it disperses light and its shininess look great on an engagement ring. But some people have taste for the white light that diamond gives when under a light.
Price of the Engagement Rings
The gap between the price of a moissanite ring and a diamond ring is a lot. A moissanite ring is the only fraction of what a diamond cost. The cost of a diamond is very high. Though their price is not unjustified, they have a strong reason to cost that much.
It takes millions of years for a diamond to form underground. Due to heat and pressure, they are formed underground, and then there is the whole thing of the mining process.
Here is a chart to give you a simple idea by comparing the price of a diamond and moissanite side by side.
| Size (in Carats) | Diamond Price | Size | Moissanite Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.50 | $1,000+ | 5mm | $520+ |
| 0.63 | $1,500+ | 5.5mm | $610+ |
| 0.75 | $2,200+ | 6mm | $680+ |
| 1.00 | $3,800+ | 6.5mm | $850+ |
As you can see diamond prices are way above moissanite, and this can leave some people broke if they try too hard to get a diamond. If it is above someone’s pay grade, then they should not thrive too much as there are other alternatives as well.
Price: Diamond vs Moissanite
You will see in the table that a half-carat diamond costs more than double or around double the cost of the same size moissanite. What does that tell you? This comparison shows you how the price differs between them.
As you go up with the size of the gem, you can see the price of a diamond rises even above double the price of moissanite. Some would say that a diamond’s value lies on the 4C’s (Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat).
These elements that boost the value of this stone, lies in nature. Unlike moissanite, they cannot be synthesized to discard imperfections or have different brilliance. Thus, this amount of value around them a gift from mother nature.
If you compare a diamond and moissanite with the same price, you will see how much they differ in size. The difference between a diamond and a moissanite’s quality, beauty, and other features, are very significant.
If you cannot afford a diamond, it is better to go for moissanite. With the same kind of look and difference in price can be a lifesaver.
The Gem Cut in a Ring
Diamond and moissanite have varieties of cut available for them. These stones can be cut into an oval shape, pear, cushion, round, or radiant cut. Antique cuts were widely popular for diamonds once upon a time, nowadays this cut is also used on moissanite.
Cut for Brilliance
The cut in a gem such as diamond or moissanite determines the brilliance and fire within the capability of the stone. Brilliance is caused when the light enters the stone and bounces off to different directions after it hits the facete. The brilliance is created due to the structure of the cut the gem was shaped into. So, cut is important.
Colors Due to the Cut
Moissanite usually has yellow and green tints, which many people won’t prefer to have in their engagement ring; but worry not, brilliantly round cut moissanite can be made nearly or completely colorless. This is courtesy of their feature because they were lab-grown.
Diamonds, on the other hand, are naturally formed. Their color depends on the environmental impact that they had on them. Their color scale is labeled from D-Z.
Versatility
A round-shaped cut gem is very versatile for jewelries. They can be put into great designs on both modern and vintage collections with this cut. Many people has taste for both these styles, not only for their engagement rings but other jewelries too.
Moissanite can be put into different cuts because they are lab-grown. This gives them a lot of options to tinker with their color and brilliance. So moissanite takes the cake when it comes to diversity.
Diamond Ring Vs Moissanite Ring – Head to Head Comparison
Here is a table to give you a brief idea for both diamond and moissanite ring comparison:
| Diamond | Moissanite |
|---|---|
| A diamond is far more expensive than any other stones on this planet | Moissanite looks almost like a diamond, and much more affordable |
| The hardness scale of this stone has a 10 out of 10 scores in Moh | Moissanite has somewhere around 9.25-9.5 on the Moh hardness scale |
| It gives off an elegant white light reflection, considered vintage to many people who has a knack for old school taste | Much more refractive than a diamond gives a rainbow-like light reflection. The multi-color fire may not match with a preference of many, but the light is intense than what diamond has |
| Their color range may vary because of the environmental impact on them | They have a color range of J-M on a color scale if compared to diamond. That is traditional yellow or green tint |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Moissanite Considered a Diamond?
Moissanite is not a naturally occurred stone. A diamond formed naturally underground for thousands of years due to heat and compression. Moissanite originated from a space meteorite, and now are being made in labs.
It is not possible to grow them naturally. So, no, moissanite is not a diamond. It has a chemical name, a crystal of silicon carbide.
Can You Pass Moissanite as a Diamond?
That would be scheming and an act of fraudecy, but yes it is possible. A diamond tester usually sees if a stone is a diamond or not, that’s it. That is all it does by running a thermal test. And mostly in a diamond tester, they recognize moissanite as diamond.
To make sure moissanite is moissanite and not a diamond, you have to run a test with the moissanite tester. It runs electrons through it and counts the rate at which pass by again, that is how they confirm its authenticity.
To the eyes of an average person who does not have much experience with stones, you can easily showcase it as a diamond. With the eyes of an expert, that is another situation, to be honest.
If a ray of light is put through it and rainbow-like multi-color is given off, then it would be revealed as moissanite. So, you got to be sharp on the details if you want to hide its real identity.
Which Moissanite Is Closest to Diamond?
Moissanite with a round shape cut looks closest to the diamond. These round heart-shaped moissanites are the ones that resemble most a diamond.
Is a Moissanite Engagement Ring Tacky?
Not at all. One-stoned diamond rings look very gorgeous when it comes to style for an engagement ring. People like to look at a white, clear stone, and a clean design with an elegant stone. A one-stoned diamond ring will serve that purpose very well.
That elegance can also be found in a moissanite ring if you look for a well-designed and good-shaped stone for your ring. What is tacky and what is not, depends on the taste of the beholder. Anything too much overdone may not look good to the beholder, no matter what material it is.
A decent shape engagement ring that looks good in your eyes is the best choice in this case. Find a sharp-looking engagement that suits you. You may find a particular cut or setting that pleasure, particularly to your needs.
Nothing is too much tacky if you like it. Most importantly you would have to be able to afford it.
Do Moissanite Rings Look Fake?
Moissanite rings do not look fake, because they are entirely another kind of stone that looks similar to diamond. There is nothing fake about it. A diamond is a diamond, and moissanite is a moissanite. Moissanite may be lab created, but they originated from space meteorite.
They are not fakes, they have their values to their own respective way. Although some people would like to use them as fake for diamond, but they are not fakes. They are moissanite, a stone that came from space!
Will a Moissanite Last Forever?
As a gemstone, it’s hardness is second to diamond. This alone gives it an edge over all the other stones out there. They are very durable and will endure the day-to-day use that will go over them.
They may not be able to be passed on from generation to generation for centuries, but believe me, they are very durable and will last for long. This gem can outlive you for sure if kept properly.
Final Verdict
Moissanite is a fascinating gem on its own term, there is no doubt about it. It is a very good substitute for diamond rings because most people cannot afford a diamond ring; it will definitely surpass their budget.
There is no meaning to waste your money on one gem if you cannot afford it and will only be used up as an opportunity cost, that could have been used on other important matters prior to you.
This does not mean getting a diamond is pointless. Diamond is on its own league away from others when it comes to adding value. It preserves sincerity and elegance to show your importance and affection.
If you can afford one, then why not? Both of these gems are okay for engagement rings, as long as you are not compromising far bigger things to get it.
See also:
