Moissanite is a type of gemstone that is often mistaken for diamond. According to MoissaniteCo.com, the two gems look very similar, but they are quite different. What makes them different?
Diamond is among the hardest substances known to man. It has been valued since ancient times because of its rarity and beauty. In modern society, diamonds are used in jewelry, industrial applications, and even scientific research.
On the other hand, moissanite is also a form of gemstone, but unlike diamond, it is synthetic. This means that manufacturers make it using advanced chemical processes in the laboratory. Moissanite is much harder than diamond, and is a great alternative to diamond.
Moissanite vs Diamond
The close resemblance of moissanite to diamond makes it easy for people to confuse the two. Both have close characteristics and features in terms of hardness, brilliance, color, and luster. However, there are some differences between these two gems. Here is what you need to know about moissanite vs diamond:
- Hardness and Durability
Diamond is one of the hardest materials on earth. On average, it is 10 times harder than granite. This makes it an ideal material for industrial uses. For example, it can be used as a cutting tool or drill bit.
Moissanite is twice as hard as diamond. This means that it can withstand higher temperatures when compared to diamond. It is also more resistant to scratching and breaking. It is not easy to scratch moissanite, as is the case with diamond. Therefore, moissanite is much more durable than diamond.
- Color
Both moissanite and diamond are white stones. They both appear clear and transparent. However, their colors differ slightly. Diamond tends to be bluer while moissanite is yellowish-white.
- Luster
Both Moissanite and diamond have high levels of luster. However, diamond is shinier and brighter than moissanite. Its shine comes from microscopic imperfections called “inclusions”. These inclusions make the stone sparkle.
- Brilliance
Brilliant diamonds are rare and expensive. Most diamonds are only moderately brilliant. However, moissanite is highly reflective. It reflects light like a mirror.
- Price
Diamonds are usually sold at a premium price. A single carat diamond will cost around $20,000. Moissanite costs less than half of this amount.
- Availability
Diamonds occur naturally in the Earth’s crust. People rarely mine them. Because of this, they tend to be more expensive than moissanite. With the possibility of creating moissanite in the lab, its value and price tends to be much lower than that of diamond.
- Ethics
Moissanite is also called synthetic diamonds because manufacturers make them in the laboratory. Therefore, Moissanite is more ethical than diamond. To get diamond, you have to mine it from the earth’s crust.
- Shapes and sizes
Diamond comes in specific shape and size due to the mining procedures applied. However, moissanite can come in any shape and size. It can be round, oval, pear shaped, etc. The possibility of making moissanite in the lab ensures the ability to get different shapes and sizes of this gemstone.
Not everyone can notice the difference between Moissanite and diamond. However, if you want to buy the best quality moissanite, then you should consider buying from reputable dealers. You might find moissanite online. However, before purchasing moissanite online, you must ensure that the dealer is verified by experts.
Moissanite’s Growing Popularity over Diamond
For a long time, diamond dominated the jewelry industry. However, with the rise of moissanite, it seems that diamond may not be able to hold on to its dominance forever. There are different grades of moissanite available. Some of them are even better than natural diamonds.
Moissanite’s superior qualities are possible because the gemstone is lab-grown. Therefore, manufacturers can tweak the parameters to achieve much better qualities than those of diamond. That way, manufacturers use the stone to serve different needs.
People use moissanite in many ways. One of the most common applications is in rings. Since moissanite is very strong and durable, it can last longer than other types of gemstones.
In general, Moissanite are cheaper than diamonds. They are easier to find and come with many advantages over natural diamonds. However, if you want something truly unique, then you should consider buying a real diamond instead of moissanite.
