Moissanite vs Diamond: Which One Suits You?

Gemstones on the market today often undergo one or more enhancements. Diamonds can be treated to enhance or change their color or to improve the appearance of their clarity. HPHT (high-pressure, high-temperature) treatments, heat treatments, irradiation and coatings can give a diamond a new color or enhance its natural hue. Laser drilling can be done to remove imperfections, and fracture filling can fill in white fractures and make them less noticeable.

Meanings and Symbolism

 

Diamonds are a renowned symbol of love and faithfulness, and they have a long history of use in engagement rings. Colorless diamonds are a sign of purity, and the unparalleled hardness of the diamond makes it a natural symbol of power. 

 All gemstones have special meaning. Moissanites feature exceptional hardness as well, making them symbolic of the strength of your bond and love. Because natural moissanites come from meteorites originating in space, they also are a sign of connectedness to the universe. They can also be a symbol of unlocking potential, which can bring ongoing meaning as your relationship grows.

Popular Ring Styles and Settings

 

Diamonds come in a wide range of cuts to showcase the beauty of the stone and suit the wearer’s personality. Cut is different from shape, which describes the outline of the gemstone when you're looking down on it. The cut is all about symmetry, balance, and bringing out a stone’s natural beauty while minimizing its flaws. The classic round cut, elegant square-shaped princess cut, sophisticated cushion cut and vintage-inspired emerald cut are popular for engagement rings. Diamonds sparkle beautifully in virtually any setting type, including 3 diamond rings. 

 Moissanites, like diamonds, can feature a wide range of cuts, but round cuts best showcase their renowned fire and brilliance. The radiant cut is also dramatic, designed for moissanite to give it an alluring rectangular shape while maximizing its sparkle. The princess cut is a traditional option that showcases the fire of the stone. A more contemporary trillian cut is also a stunning choice, as it enhances the dazzling quality but gives a ring an edgy, modern style. Because of its color differences, moissanite is best in a solitaire ring setting or alongside moissanite stones of similar characteristics. 

 With such a breathtaking array to choose from, selecting a cut is truly up to the personality and style of the wearer.

More About Diamonds

 

Diamonds have been the standard-bearer for expressions of love since at least 1477, when the Archduke Maximilian of Austria proposed to his love with the first recorded diamond engagement ring. They have remained the most popular choice for engagement and wedding rings. Diamonds are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors.

More About Moissanite

 

Moissanite is a more recently discovered gemstone, happened upon in 1893 by Henri Moissan when he was examining an Arizona crater left by a meteorite that carried the mineral to Earth. Henri had thought he found diamonds but realized their chemical composition was very different upon closer inspection. Today, moissanites are a popular stone for engagement rings due to their sparkle, durability, lower price tag and likeness to diamonds. Nearly all moissanite engagement rings use lab made stones.

Chemical Differences

 

When considering the moissanite vs diamond debate from a molecular level, there are a lot of differences between these two stones. Diamonds are comprised of carbon that has been exposed to immense pressure. Moissanite, on the other hand, is made of silicon carbide. Diamonds are created deep in the earth’s crust and can also be created in labs. 

 Naturally occurring moissanite is only found from meteorites so the majority of moissanite gems for sale are made in a laboratory setting.

Eco-Consciousness

 

Many people in search of an eco-conscious stone opt for lab-made gems. Moissanite is a lab-made gemstone that’s an increasingly popular choice. Lab made diamonds are also growing in popularity, so both stone types offer an environmentally-conscious option.

Differences in Measuring Moissanite vs Diamonds

 

Diamonds and moissanites are both measured differently to determine their size. Diamonds are measured by their carat weight. A diamond carat measures how large a diamond is by its weight. Moissanites, on the other hand, are most often measured by their millimeter size rather than their carat weight.

Moissanite vs Diamond Weight

 

Weight is a quick way to tell a diamond vs a moissanite. Moissanites are lighter than diamonds, with a moissanite stone weighing an average of 15% less than a comparable diamond.

If you’re still looking for the ring that is quintessentially you, we’re here to offer our expert guidance and stellar services to ensure that you find the ring that is beautifully suited to your taste. To ensure that you feel as thrilled as you should be when making this special purchase, we offer free returns. You can also count on us for complimentary ring sizing to ensure an ideal fit and complimentary cleaning to keep your gemstones sparkling like new. To learn about other gorgeous engagement ring stone options, read our comprehensive gemstone guide.