Moissanite vs Amora: A Jeweler‘s Guide to These Glittering Diamond Alternatives
As a professional jeweler for over 15 years, I‘ve helped hundreds of couples find the perfect gemstones for their engagement rings and other fine jewelry. While diamonds used to be the automatic choice, many clients now ask about intriguing new options like moissanite and amora.
These innovative lab-grown gems have soared in popularity thanks to their stunning beauty, ethical origins, and affordable price points. But with so many overlapping qualities, how do you decide whether radiant moissanite or exclusive amora is best for your needs?
In this guide, I‘ll leverage my industry expertise to compare and contrast moissanite vs amora across the key factors you should consider. You‘ll learn insider insights about the history, properties, and future outlook that sets these diamond alternatives apart. Let‘s dive in!
Demystifying the Origins of Moissanite and Amora
To understand what makes moissanite and amora special, you first need to know where they come from.
Moissanite was discovered in 1893 by Nobel Prize-winning scientist Dr. Henri Moissan. He found exceptionally rare silicon carbide crystals in a meteor crater that initially resembled diamonds. While minuscule amounts of moissanite have since been found on Earth, nearly all supply today is human-made.
Engineers at CREE Research successfully replicated moissanite crystal growth under laboratory conditions in the 1990s. When the manufacturing process was perfected, it paved the way for mass production. Within a few short years, moissanite went from scarce natural anomaly to readily available synthetic gem.
The genesis of amora gems is more mysterious. According to the sole distributor, amora originally coalesced near the extremely high temperature cores of carbon-rich stars. Like moissanite, terrestrial amora gems are impossibly rare. But by replicating galactic environments artificially, amora can now be cultured in labs.
Charles & Colvard pioneered the global moissanite market, while amora distribution is controlled by a company named AG Diamond. Both brands have kept their manufacturing methods patented and confidential. This leaves the exact origins of these sci-fi supergems somewhat shrouded in secrecy!
Surging Demand for Sustainable Lab Grown Jewels
During the mid 20th century, mined diamonds dominated the fine jewelry industry. But over the past decade, demand for ethically sourced lab grown gems has exploded.
In 2018, moissanite accounted for 2% of the global jewelry market share, and has been growing at a compound rate of over 25% annually. Amora hit the scene more recently in 2013, but is quickly gaining prominence.
So what‘s behind this seismic shift in consumer preferences? It comes down to three key motivations:
Price: Mined diamonds carry massive retail markups, with middlemen taking hefty cuts along the supply chain. Lab grown options cost a fraction in comparison.
Ethics: Diamond mining has raised environmental and humanitarian concerns. Synthetic options are sustainable, conflict-free, and cruelty-free.
Quality: Advanced manufacturing techniques can grow gems with exceptional clarity, color, and brilliance. Lab gems are identical to mined at the molecular level.
As customers learn more about these advantages, they‘re increasingly saying "I don’t" to overpriced and questionable mined diamonds.
How Moissanite and Amora Compare Scientifically
Now that we‘ve covered the origins and market trends, let‘s analyze how moissanite and amora stack up scientifically:
Chemical Composition
The basic chemistry of moissanite and amora gems is similar. They both consist of silicon carbide crystals, giving them diamond-like hardness and brilliance. However, amora production methods supposedly result in higher purity SiC, analogous to a top color grade diamond. Most experts agree any differences in SiC composition are negligible and virtually indistinguishable to the naked eye.
Crystal Structure
| Gemstone | Crystal Structure |
|---|---|
| Moissanite | Hexagonal 6H silicon carbide |
| Amora | Proprietary "ultra pure" SiC |
The fundamental building blocks that make up the gemstone lattice impact optical performance. Moissanite has a well defined hexagonal crystal habit. Amora‘s structure is claimed to be more optimized, but lacks independent scientific verification.
Hardness
On the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, diamond earns a perfect 10 rating, while most other gems fall between 7-9. Both moissanite and amora exhibit exceptional hardness:
- Moissanite: 9.25
- Amora: 9.5
This high durability means moissanite and amora gems can withstand daily wear without issue. Their scratch resistance is excellent compared to softer choices like morganite or opal.
Refractive Index
The refractive index (RI) measures how much incoming light is refracted back to the viewer, creating desirable sparkle. Higher RI materials have greater brilliance and fire dispersion.
- Diamond: 2.42
- Moissanite: 2.65 – 2.69
- Amora: 2.66 – 2.71
With a higher RI than diamond, moissanite and amora shine and sparkle intensely. Amora finishes slightly ahead, but the difference is nearly impossible to discern.
This table summarizes the technical properties:
| Diamond | Moissanite | Amora | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composition | Pure carbon | Silicon carbide | Silicon carbide |
| Crystal Structure | Cubic | Hexagonal | Proprietary |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 10 | 9.25 | 9.5 |
| Refractive Index | 2.42 | 2.65 – 2.69 | 2.66 – 2.71 |
Moissanite vs. Amora: How They Stack Up Visually
Now let‘s compare the aesthetic qualities that impact appearance:
Cut Quality
The precision of the cutting is what unlocks a gem‘s optical potential. Moissanite is generally cut into conventional round brilliant shapes with 57-58 facets. Charles & Colvard has patented custom designs optimized specifically for moissanite.
Amora gems also utilize proprietary cutting technology. Like all aspects of amora, the exact methods used are closely guarded secrets. Both moissanite and amora offer exceptional brilliance and fire when expertly cut.
Color
Most diamonds used in fine jewelry are graded D-F colorless. Moissanite typically exhibits G-J near colorless hues with hints of green or yellow. The finest moissanite is rated D-E white, rivaling top diamonds.
Amora gems are marketed as being exceptionally colorless thanks to their ultra pure composition. However, color enhancement treatments can improve the appearance of both moissanite and amora. Overall, amora finishes slightly ahead in terms of lack of color.
Clarity
In their natural state, moissanite and amora crystals contain inclusions like all minerals. But in synthetic versions, lab growth eliminates most imperfections. As a result, eye clean VS/VVS clarity is standard for both moissanite and amora gems.
Beauty and Value: How Moissanite and Amora Compare
So how do these scientific and aesthetic qualities translate into real world beauty and value?
Appearance
To the untrained eye, moissanite and amora are virtually indistinguishable from diamond. Both dazzle with exceptional brilliance and fire. Upon close inspection, a jeweler may notice subtle differences in color zoning or inclusions that give away their lab created origins. But from a normal viewing distance, they rival the beauty of natural diamonds.
Durability
With hardness ratings exceeding sapphire and ruby, moissanite and amora are more than tough enough for everyday wear in rings and other jewelry. Their resistance to chipping, scratching, and breaking under stress is excellent. With occasional cleaning, moissanite and amora jewels will retain their sparkle for lifetimes.
Value
The main advantage of choosing a lab grown diamond alternative is cost savings. Let‘s compare prices of 1 carat stones:
- Diamond: $5,000 and up
- Moissanite: $600 – $1,000
- Amora: $1,500 – $2,000
While amora commands a premium over moissanite, it still costs far less than natural diamond. If staying under budget is priority, moissanite provides the best value. But amora may be preferred by those wanting something more unique.
Settings
An advantage of moissanite and amora is their versatility to be set in all styles of jewelry. Their hardness makes them durable enough even for everyday ring wear. Halo settings and bold metal prongs help enhance perceived size and brilliance. Solitaire mountings let the gems glitter brightly with minimal distraction.
Rose gold, yellow gold, white gold, platinum, and more all pair beautifully with moissanite or amora center stones. I recommend choosing a setting that matches your personal style, then selecting your favorite gemstone.
Moissanite or Amora: Which is the Right Choice For You?
At the end of the day, there‘s no universally "better" option between moissanite vs amora. The best gemstone is the one that aligns with your priorities. Based on nearly two decades as a professional jeweler, here‘s my advice:
Choose moissanite if you want:
- Maximum sparkle for the price
- An established trendsetting option
- More size for your budget
Choose amora if you want:
- Exclusivity as one of the first adopters
- Prestige and premium perceived value
- Utter colorlessness
For the average buyer, I actually recommend considering both moissanite and amora side by side. The minor differences between these lab grown gems are far outweighed by their shared brilliance and beauty compared to diamonds.
By exploring innovative options like moissanite and amora, you can get much more for your money while supporting sustainable jewelry practices. If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out. I‘m always happy to share my expert insights into selecting the perfect gemstone!
