Diamonds have long held the crown for their sparkle and timeless allure. They are practically everyone’s favorite in the jewel world. But what if there’s another contender gem in terms of radiance? Moissanite has been causing quite a stir lately and it’s for good reasons.
Jewelers use Moissanite stones in making different types of jewelry including Moissanite bracelets. It’s gorgeous, sparkly, and more pocket-friendly than getting a diamond. But is Moissanite a diamond lookalike, or does it have its own unique qualities? Let’s break it down in this article.
What Are Moissanite Stones?
Moissanite is a type of gemstone. The French chemist Dr. Henri Moissan discovered it in the late 19th century. Moissanite consists of a mineral, silicon carbide, that rarely occurs in nature.
These days, most moissanite is grown in labs, making it more affordable. The lab-creation process also allows for more consistent quality and color, which can sometimes vary in natural moissanite.
How Are Moissanite Stones Different from Diamonds?
One of the burning questions on every gem lover’s mind is whether moissanite can hold its own against diamonds. The answer? A resounding yes! Moissanite and diamonds share some similarities, but they’re not identical.
Here are a few ways in which they differ:
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Durability
Diamonds, known for their hardness, score a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale. Moissanite, on the other hand, falls a little less behind at 9.25. This impacts Moissanite’s longevity and makes it more resistant to scratching. But it’s not as durable as diamonds.
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Color
Upon closer inspection, you’ll see that Moissanite stones are not colorless like diamonds. Diamond color is in grades. The color grade is on a scale of D-Z, with D being colorless. Based on this color scale, Moissanite falls on the K-color scale, which impacts a faint color on the stone. They can have a green, yellow, or gray tint.
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Price
The price point is another major difference between these two gems. Moissanite has a lower price tag than diamonds. The price is determined by the size, shape, and color of the stone. Near-colorless stones are more expensive since they are closer to diamonds.
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Sourcing
For eco-conscious individuals, Moissanite boasts eco-friendly qualities since it can be grown in the laboratory under controlled conditions and then cut and polished. On the contrary, diamonds are often mined under environmentally taxing conditions.
Moissanite vs Diamonds: Which Sparkles More?
Brilliance refers to the amount of light that reflects from the stone, creating a sparkle. Moissanite’s refractive index is higher than that of diamonds. This means that moissanite can disperse light into flashes of color with even greater intensity than diamonds. Diamonds, on the other hand, have a more classic, icy sparkle.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice between moissanite and diamond comes down to what kind of sparkle speaks to you. If you want something bold and eye-catching, Moissanite might be your perfect match. If you prefer understated elegance, you can’t go wrong with a diamond!