Jewelry is an invaluable part of a woman‘s life, but quality pieces come at a steep price. That‘s why it pays to learn about different jewelry options, so you can find something gorgeous within your budget!
Recently, two popular diamond alternatives gaining attention are moissanite and lab diamonds. Both make stunning choices for engagement and wedding rings. But what exactly sets them apart?
In this guide, I‘ll provide a detailed comparison of moissanite vs lab diamonds to help you decide which is best for you. I‘ve been in the jewelry industry for over 10 years as a gemologist, so I‘m excited to share my insider knowledge!
Contents
A Quick Intro to Moissanite
First things first – what on earth is moissanite?
Moissanite is a rare mineral made of silicon carbide, discovered in 1893 by French scientist Henri Moissan (hence the name). It was initially found in a meteor crater, making natural moissanite incredibly scarce.
Moissanite wasn‘t produced in labs until the 1990s. While natural moissanite is vanishingly rare, lab-created versions are abundantly available. And they make breathtaking jewelry stones!
So what makes moissanite so special? Here are some of its winning qualities:
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Affordable: At around 10% the cost of a diamond, moissanite is a budget-friendly alternative. A 1 carat moissanite ring costs $600-$1000 vs $5000+ for a diamond.
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Brilliant: With even more fire and brilliance than a diamond, moissanite delivers eye-catching sparkle.
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Durable: Moissanite is remarkably tough, rating 9.25 on the Mohs scale. It can handle everyday wear and remain scratch-free.
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Ethical: Lab-created moissanite has a low carbon footprint, avoiding the environmental impact of diamond mining.
Now let‘s look at how moissanite stacks up against lab diamonds…
Getting to Know Lab Diamonds
Lab diamonds, also called synthetic, cultured, or man-made diamonds, are chemically the same as natural diamonds. The key difference is they are produced in a lab, not deep in the earth.
Fun fact – the first lab diamond was created by GE in 1954! It was another 40 years before gem quality lab diamonds hit the jewelry market.
So what are the upsides of choosing a lab grown diamond?
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Affordable: You can save 30-40% buying a lab diamond instead of a mined diamond. A 1 carat lab diamond costs $1800-$2800, compared to $4000-$5000 for a mined diamond.
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Ethical: Lab diamonds are graded and certified as 100% conflict-free.
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Sustainable: Lab diamond production has minimal environmental impact compared to diamond mining.
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High quality: Lab diamonds boast the same sparkle, brilliance, and optical properties as natural diamonds – without flaws visible to the naked eye.
Now let‘s pit moissanite head to head against lab diamonds across the factors that matter most!
Moissanite vs Lab Diamonds – 7 Key Differences
| Factor | Moissanite | Lab Diamond |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Only 10% the price of diamond
1 carat = $600-$1000 |
30-40% cheaper than mined diamond
1 carat = $1800-$2800 |
| Appearance | Exceptional brilliance and fire
More color dispersion than diamond |
Identical sparkle to diamond
Slightly less color dispersion |
| Hardness | 9.25 on Mohs scale
Nearly as tough as diamond |
10 on Mohs scale
Equal hardness to diamond |
| Durability | Withstands daily wear
Prone to chipping if hit at certain angles |
Most durable gemstone option
Very resistant to chipping and scratching |
| Colors | Near colorless options now available
Previously limited to yellow/green hues |
All colors – yellow, pink, blue, etc |
| Clarity | Excellent clarity
Very few inclusions |
Good clarity for the price
Minor inclusions visible under 10x magnification |
| Availability | Readily available, often in-stock | Some shortage due to booming demand
May require ordering 3+ months out |
Let‘s dive into the details around these 7 differentiation factors:
Price: Moissanite Is the Clear Winner
There‘s no debate here – moissanite is far more budget friendly!
On average, a 1 carat moissanite engagement ring costs $600-$1000 versus $1800-$2800 for a lab diamond ring. That‘s 6-10x less than a natural diamond ring, which clocks in around $5000 for 1 carat.
Here‘s a price comparison table across different carat sizes:
| Carat Size | Moissanite Price | Lab Diamond Price | Mined Diamond Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 ct | $300-$500 | $900-$1400 | $2000-$3000 |
| 1 ct | $600-$1000 | $1800-$2800 | $4000-$6000 |
| 2 ct | $1200-$2000 | $3600-$5600 | $8000-$12000 |
As you can see, moissanite provides massive savings, especially for larger stones. Going with a 1 carat moissanite center stone instead of a lab diamond can give you over $1000 back in your pocket!
Appearance: Moissanite = More Colorful Sparkle
If you love rainbow-like sparkle, moissanite is the way to go. Its high refractive index of 2.65 disperses light into vivid flashes of color. Diamonds have a lower refractive index of 2.42.
So while lab diamonds shine bright white like a natural diamond, moissanite sets off an electrifying fireworks display on the hand. Its disco ball-like facets project reds, greens, yellows, oranges, and blues.
Which look you prefer comes down to personal taste. If go-big-or-go-home sparkle is your style, I‘d suggest moissanite. For a classic elegant look, white lab diamond is ideal.
Hardness: Diamond Is Tops
When it comes to harness, diamond has a clear advantage, rating a perfect 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. Moissanite scores slightly lower at 9.25, but it‘s still an impressive figure.
In real world conditions, both excel at resisting scratches. Materials under 5.5 on the Mohs scale, like gold, silver, and platinum, pose zero risk of scratching either stone.
Moissanite can be potentially scratched by sapphire, ruby, topaz and a few other gems 8+ on the scale. But those stones would also scratch a diamond.
While diamonds are technically tougher, moissanite remains remarkably resilient for everyday jewelry wear. Durability depends far more on mounting quality and how you treat the ring.
Durability: Diamond Edges Out Moissanite
Based on their Mohs ratings, diamond is the more durable option. But moissanite still holds up extremely well.
Both resist chipping from daily activities. However, moissanite can chip from sharp blows at certain angles. I‘ve seen moissanite chip when hit directly on a hard surface, like a kitchen counter. Diamonds are less prone to impact chipping.
The strength of the mounting also affects durability, regardless of the stone. I‘d go with platinum or gold prongs for superior resilience. With a protective mounting, moissanite can last a lifetime.
Color: Something for Everyone
When it comes to range of colors, lab diamonds have the advantage. Through adding trace elements, lab diamonds can be produced in vivid yellows, pinks, blues, and more.
Moissanite is limited to near-colorless to medium yellow-green hues. Until recently, greenish moissanite was standard. Charles & Colvard has pioneered Forever One colorless moissanite with G-H grades.
If colorless is your goal, I‘d give moissanite a slight edge for crisp white appearances. But for non-traditional colors, opt for a lab diamond.
Clarity: Moissanite is Remarkably Clear
High clarity is where moissanite really outshines diamond. Even under 10x magnification, moissanite reveals very few inclusions.
Many lab diamonds contain minor internal flaws like cloudiness, carbon spots, or wispy feather cracks. They‘re imperceptible to the naked eye, but apparent under close inspection.
Moissanite provides impressive clarity for the price. Expect near flawless stones from quality suppliers like Charles & Colvard. If clarity is paramount, moissanite pulls ahead of lab grown diamond.
Availability: Moissanite Is Easier to Source
The soaring popularity of lab diamonds has led to supply shortages and long order delays. Meanwhile, moissanite remains easy to find with little to no wait.
Lab diamond production can‘t keep pace with exponential growth in demand. Lead times have stretched from 4 weeks to 16 weeks over the past 2 years. Rationing and lotteries for rough lab diamond feedstock have ensued.
In contrast, moissanite manufacturing has expanded smoothly. Charles & Colvard invested $12 million in 2020 to double production. This enables them to maintain ample moissanite inventory.
Bottom line – expect to get your hands on moissanite rings much quicker than lab diamond alternatives!
The Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
Now for the million dollar question – given all these comparisons, which is the better choice for your engagement ring – moissanite or lab diamond?
My advice would be:
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Buy moissanite if you want maximum sparkle and fire, don‘t mind a slightly lower hardness rating, or wish to pay 90% less than a diamond.
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Buy lab diamond if you specifically want a diamond, value indestructible hardness, or wish to customize your stone‘s color.
At the end of the day, they are both phenomenal, ethical options. The average person cannot tell these diamond simulants apart from the real thing!
Whichever gemstone you choose, I‘d suggest shopping from trustworthy sellers offering certified stones, like Charles & Colvard for moissanite or Ada Diamonds for lab diamonds. This guarantees exceptional quality and after-sales support.
I hope this detailed breakdown helps you decide between dazzling moissanite and brilliant lab diamonds. Let me know if you have any other questions! Wishing you lots of joy as you shop for the perfect ring to represent your love.
