Diamond Nexus vs Moissanite: An In-Depth Comparison

With the average cost of diamond engagement rings continuing to rise, couples are increasingly considering alternatives like moissanite and Diamond Nexus. These diamond simulants can provide the iconic sparkle and brilliance of a diamond for a fraction of the price.

In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll examine the key characteristics, differences, pros and cons of moissanite and Diamond Nexus to help you decide which alternative diamond is right for your needs.

A Brief History of Lab-Created Diamond Alternatives

Before diving into the details of moissanite and Diamond Nexus specifically, it helps to understand the evolution of lab-created diamond simulants.

Scientists have been attempting to recreate diamonds in laboratories since the late 19th century without much success. The first commercially viable diamond alternative emerged in the 1920s with the creation of cubic zirconia.

While revolutionary for its time, cubic zirconia had issues with clouding, softness, and an obviously artificial look that made it undesirable for fine jewelry. The quest continued for a diamond imitation that could capture the flawless brilliance of a real diamond.

The development of synthetic moissanite in the 1990s and Diamond Nexus in the early 2000s finally achieved this goal. Let‘s look at the background of each of these unique diamond simulants.

The Discovery of Moissanite

The natural mineral now known as moissanite was first discovered in 1893 by French chemist Henri Moissan. He came across small particles of the gem inside a meteor crater and initially mistook them for diamonds.

It wasn‘t until 1904 that mineralogists determined the stones were composed of silicon carbide rather than pure crystallized carbon like diamonds. The mineral was aptly named moissanite in honor of Henri Moissan‘s discovery.

While moissanite was found to occur naturally, it is incredibly rare. For decades, there was no way to recreate the resilient silicon carbide crystals in a lab environment. That changed in the 1990s with advances in material science and crystal growing techniques.

By 1998, moissanite became available as a synthetic gemstone alternative to diamonds. As production methods improved over the next two decades, the quality and affordability of lab-created moissanite steadily increased.

Today the global moissanite market is projected to reach $87 million by 2028, as it continues to gain popularity especially for engagement rings and other fine jewelry.

The Development of Diamond Nexus

Diamond Nexus emerged in the early 2000s as a proprietary formula designed to mimic the look and properties of real diamonds as closely as possible.

The Forever Companies, a leading producer of lab-created gemstones, introduced the patented Diamond Nexus formula as a high-quality yet affordable alternative to mined diamonds.

Rather than simulating diamond through other materials like moissanite, the Nexus formula uses purified carbon to recreate the structure of diamonds down to the molecular level. The creators even matched the optical qualities of the Nexus stone to the brilliance and fire of flawless diamonds.

By controlling the production conditions in a lab environment, they overcame issues like impurities and flaws that diminish the appearance of mined diamonds.

The introduction of the Diamond Nexus in the early 2000s gave shoppers a stunning diamond alternative that captures the beauty of the real thing at a fraction of the diamond price.

Now that we‘ve covered the origins of moissanite and Diamond Nexus, let‘s delve into the properties, grading scales, and differences between these two diamond simulants.

Moissanite Properties and Characteristics

Moissanite is valued for its brilliance, hardness, and affordability compared to traditional diamond stones. Here are its key properties:

• Composition – Moissanite is composed of silicon carbide, with a chemical formula of SiC. This distinguishes it from diamond which is pure crystallized carbon (C).

• Hardness – On the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, moissanite scores 9.5 out of 10. This makes it viable for jewelry as it won‘t scratch or cloud easily.

• Refractive Index – With a refractive index from 2.65 – 2.69, moissanite exceeds even diamond in its ability to refract and disperse light. This creates exceptional brilliance and fire.

• Dispersion – Dispersion refers to how well a gem splits white light into rainbow colors. At 0.104, moissanite‘s dispersion again surpasses diamond (0.044).

• Appearance – Moissanite looks colorless in most grades, with excellent clarity. The cut maximizes light return through the precisely faceting.

Now let‘s see how moissanite grades against the 4Cs diamond grading criteria:

• Cut – Like diamonds, moissanite is expertly cut for maximum sparkle. Round brilliant is the most common cut but other shapes are also available.

• Clarity – Nearly flawless. Inclusions are extremely rare and unseen under 10x magnification. Rates very high on diamond clarity scale.

• Color – Most moissanite is colorless or near-colorless, rating D-F on diamond color grades. Lower grades exhibit a slight greenish-yellow tint.

• Carat Weight – Since moissanite has a lower density than diamond, a 1 carat moissanite stone weighs about 15% less than a 1 carat diamond.

Overall, moissanite achieves many of the optical qualities that make diamonds so prized and desirable for jewelry.

Diamond Nexus Properties and Characteristics

The patentedDiamond Nexus formula aims to recreate the physical, chemical, and visual properties of a high-quality diamond as faithfully as possible.

• Composition – Diamond Nexus contains over 90% carbon, along with proprietary ingredients to mimic a diamond‘s structure and optical qualities.

• Hardness – Diamond Nexus scores a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, equaling diamonds. This makes the stones extremely resilient.

• Refractive Index – With a refractive index around 2.42, Diamond Nexus approximates but doesn‘t quite match the light refraction of diamond at 2.42.

• Dispersion – The Diamond Nexus formula is designed to replicate the subtle play of colors as diamond disperses light.

• Appearance – Well-cut Diamond Nexus has the colorless brilliance and sparkling fire of a top-grade diamond stone.

Grading against the 4Cs criteria, Diamond Nexus stacks up as follows:

• Cut – Precisely calculated cuts maximize light performance. The traditional round brilliant cut predominates but other diamond cuts are available.

• Clarity – Very clean with minimal inclusions, rating from VVS to SI on the diamond clarity scale. Imperfections are difficult to spot with the naked eye.

• Color – Colorlessness nearly indistinguishable from top-tier diamonds. Grades on the D-E-F scale.

• Carat Weight – Available in a wide range of carat sizes. Larger Nexus Diamonds can be produced than are readily available in nature.

Diamond Nexus is exceptionally close to diamond in terms of brilliance, fire, and appearance. Next we will directly compare it to moissanite.

Moissanite vs. Diamond Nexus Comparison

While moissanite and Diamond Nexus have some similar qualities, there are differences that may make one option preferable over the other depending on your priorities.

	Moissanite	Diamond Nexus
Composition	Silicon carbide	Carbon-based with proprietary formula
Refractive index	2.65 – 2.69	~2.42
Dispersion	0.104	Approximates diamond
Hardness	9.5	10
Color grading	D-F colorless; G-I near-colorless	D-E-F colorless
Clarity	Near flawless	VVS to SI
Price for 1 ct.	~$500	~$1000
Origin	Laboratory created	Lab-created

Brilliance and fire – With a higher refractive index and dispersion rating, moissanite throws more rainbow sparkle than Diamond Nexus or a real diamond.

Durability – Diamond Nexus and diamond both rate 10 on the Mohs scale, edging out moissanite. But all three are more than tough enough for fine jewelry.

Color – Moissanite shows more variation from colorless to near-colorless. Diamond Nexus achieves more consistent colorlessness like a top-tier diamond.

Affordability – Moissanite provides greater savings over natural diamonds. A 1 carat D color Nexus Diamond costs about half as much as an equivalent mined diamond.

Overall, moissanite exceeds Diamond Nexus in affordability and brilliance while Nexus better emulates the look of a high-grade diamond.

Pros and Cons of Moissanite and Diamond Nexus

To further compare the relative benefits of moissanite and Diamond Nexus, here are some pros and cons of each diamond alternative gemstone.

Moissanite Pros

• Most affordable diamond alternative
• Brilliance exceeds diamond due to higher refractive index
• Hardness rating nearly as high as diamond
• Ethically produced in laboratories
• More environmentally friendly than diamond mining
• Durable enough for daily wear
• Resale value closer to diamond than other substitutes

Moissanite Cons

• Not as hard as real diamond
• Slight color variations in near-colorless grades
• Extra sparkle gives a hint of artificialness
• Cannot be resized as extensively as some stones

Diamond Nexus Pros

• Exceptionally close visual match to mined diamond
• Max hardness and durability on par with diamond
• Colorless grades nearly indistinguishable from diamond
• More consistent color across colorless grade stones
• Customizable carat weight, cut, and shape
• Ethically produced in a laboratory
• Lower price than natural diamond

Diamond Nexus Cons

• Not as brilliant or fiery as moissanite
• 2X+ more expensive than equivalent moissanite
• Less resale value retention than diamond
• Cannot be certified as diamond due to different composition

Are Moissanite and Diamond Nexus Good for Engagement Rings?

Due to their beauty, durability and affordability, both moissanite and Diamond Nexus make excellent choices for modern engagement rings. Here are a few tips for selecting moissanite or Nexus Diamond engagement rings:

• Focus on cut quality, since cut has the biggest influence on sparkle and brilliance.

• With moissanite‘s high fire, opt for simpler settings that don‘t compete with the stone‘s brilliance.

• Pick between moissanite‘s dazzling rainbow sparkle, or Diamond Nexus‘s diamond-like elegance.

• For the diamond look on a budget, Diamond Nexus is hard to beat. It captures the essence of diamond for 50% less.

• Moissanite‘s substantial savings allow larger center stones for maximum wow factor.

• Ensure rings are designed to protect softer prongs and accent stones from moissanite‘s hardness.

• Since they can‘t be resized as extensively, make sure to get the perfect fit.

Both moissanite and Diamond Nexus engagement rings can provide the symbolism and beauty of diamond while being kinder to your budget and the environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does moissanite look fake?

While it has more brilliance and fire than a diamond, a well-cut colorless moissanite stone does not look obviously fake. Only upon close inspection would a gemologist be able to distinguish moissanite from diamond based on optical properties.

Is Diamond Nexus as valuable as real diamond?

Diamond Nexus lacks the resale value and investment potential of natural diamonds. However, its low price point means you pay a fraction of the cost of an equivalent diamond upfront. If resale value is a priority, stick with certified natural diamonds.

Are moissanite and Diamond Nexus eco-friendly?

Yes, both moissanite and Diamond Nexus are more environmentally sustainable choices than mining diamonds. They are created in modern laboratories rather than excavated from the earth using extensive resources. The energy usage is also far less than diamond mining.

Can you tell the difference between Diamond Nexus and diamond?

Only a gemologist using specialized viewing equipment could conclusively identify a Diamond Nexus stone from diamond through material analysis. To the naked eye, Diamond Nexus and high quality diamonds are nearly indistinguishable.

How durable is moissanite for engagement rings?

With excellent hardness and toughness, moissanite makes incredibly durable engagement rings designed to last a lifetime. Its resilience exceeds most other diamond alternatives. Only diamond and Diamond Nexus score higher on the durability scale.

The Bottom Line

For those seeking an eco-friendly alternative to expensive mined diamonds, both moissanite and Diamond Nexus exhibit exceptional brilliance and beauty at a fraction of the price. With its unparalleled affordability and dazzling rainbow radiance, moissanite maximizes the size and sparkle you can achieve on any budget. For the closest match to a top-tier diamond in terms of optics and appearance, Diamond Nexus is hard to beat. Whichever you choose, you can enjoy ethically sourced, luminous beauty designed to last forever—all without breaking the bank.