Moissanite vs Natural Diamond: What’s the Difference?

If you are shopping for an engagement ring or fine jewellery, you may have come across two popular choices: moissanite and natural diamond.

At first glance, they can look remarkably similar. Both can be colourless, brilliant and beautifully cut. Both are durable enough for everyday jewellery, and both are available in popular shapes such as round, oval, pear, emerald and cushion.

But there is an important difference:

Moissanite and natural diamond are two completely different gemstones.

Moissanite is made from silicon carbide and is generally laboratory-created for jewellery, while natural diamond is made from carbon and forms naturally deep within the Earth.

So, which one should you choose?

There is no universal answer. But if you are looking for exceptional sparkle, excellent durability and more flexibility with your jewellery budget, moissanite can be an excellent choice.

Let's look at the differences in simple terms.

Moissanite vs Natural Diamond at a Glance

The biggest thing to remember is simple:

Moissanite is not a diamond, and diamond is not moissanite.

They are different gemstones with their own characteristics.

What Is Moissanite?

Moissanite is a gemstone made from silicon carbide (SiC).

Natural moissanite is extraordinarily rare. It was first identified in 1893 by French chemist Henri Moissan while studying material from a meteorite crater in Arizona. The crystals were initially mistaken for diamonds before being identified as silicon carbide.

Because naturally occurring moissanite is so rare and generally found in very small crystals, the moissanite used for jewellery today is predominantly laboratory-created.

Laboratory-created does not mean fake.

It simply describes where the material was produced. Laboratory-created moissanite is genuine silicon carbide with its own physical and optical properties.

Moissanite is often described as a diamond simulant because of its diamond-like appearance. However, it is a gemstone in its own right.

If you want a basic introduction before comparing the two, read our guide: What Is Moissanite? A Complete Guide to This Unique Gemstone.

What Is a Natural Diamond?

A natural diamond is a gemstone made from carbon.

Natural diamonds form deep inside the Earth under extremely high temperatures and pressures. Some diamonds are billions of years old, making their geological history part of what makes them special to many people.

Unlike moissanite, natural diamonds are recovered from the Earth through mining.

Their natural origin, rarity and long geological history are important reasons why many people choose them for engagement rings and other significant jewellery.

So, in the simplest possible terms:

Moissanite = silicon carbide, generally laboratory-created.

Natural diamond = carbon, naturally formed inside the Earth.

Moissanite vs Natural Diamond: What Are They Made Of?

This is the most fundamental difference between the two.

Moissanite

Moissanite is made from silicon carbide.

Natural Diamond

Diamond is made from carbon.

Because their chemical compositions and crystal structures are different, light behaves differently when it enters each gemstone.

That difference is responsible for some of the distinctive visual characteristics you see when comparing moissanite and diamond.

Moissanite vs Diamond: Which Sparkles More?

This is probably the question people ask most often.

To understand the answer, it helps to know two simple terms.

What Is Brilliance?

Brilliance refers to the white light reflected back from a gemstone.

What Is Fire?

Fire refers to the colourful flashes of light that can appear when white light is separated into different colours.

Both diamonds and moissanite can have beautiful brilliance and fire.

However, moissanite has significantly higher dispersion than diamond.

GIA reports a dispersion value of approximately 0.104 for synthetic moissanite, compared with approximately 0.044 for diamond.

In simple terms, this means moissanite can produce more noticeable flashes of colour as it moves under light.

You may see flashes of blue, green, yellow or other spectral colours.

This is one of the characteristics that gives moissanite its distinctive personality.

So, Does Moissanite Sparkle More Than Diamond?

If by sparkle you mean colourful fire, moissanite can show considerably more.

Diamond has its own beautiful balance of white brilliance and fire, which many people love for its classic appearance.

So the choice comes down to preference.

If you love bold, colourful flashes of light, you may prefer moissanite.

If you prefer the more traditional look of diamond, you may prefer natural diamond.

Why Does Moissanite Look Slightly Different From Diamond?

There is another important optical difference.

Moissanite is doubly refractive, while diamond is singly refractive.

You don't need to understand the science behind this to choose a gemstone, but it helps explain why the two can look different under magnification.

When light travels through moissanite, its optical properties can create a slight doubling effect in the back facets when viewed under magnification. This is one of the characteristics gemologists can use to distinguish moissanite from diamond.

For most people looking at jewellery normally, the more noticeable difference is usually the type of sparkle and fire.

A well-cut moissanite can look exceptionally bright and lively.

Moissanite vs Natural Diamond: Which Is More Durable?

Both are highly durable gemstones.

However, diamond is harder than moissanite.

The Mohs scale measures a material's resistance to scratching.

• Diamond: 10
• Moissanite: approximately 9.25

Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring mineral, while moissanite is also among the hardest gemstones used in jewellery.

For everyday jewellery, moissanite's hardness makes it an excellent practical choice.

It can be worn in:

• Engagement rings
• Wedding rings
• Everyday rings
• Earrings
• Pendants
• Necklaces

One important point: hardness isn't the same as being indestructible.

Any gemstone can potentially be damaged by a strong impact, and the metal setting around the gemstone can also become damaged.

Moissanite vs Natural Diamond: Which Is More Affordable?

This is one area where the difference can be significant.

Natural diamond prices can vary enormously depending on characteristics such as:

• Carat weight
• Cut
• Colour
• Clarity
• Shape
• Certification
• Market conditions

The well-known **4Cs—Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat Weight—**are used to describe and evaluate diamond quality.

Moissanite pricing also varies according to size, cut, colour, quality, shape and other factors.

However, moissanite is generally considerably more affordable than a comparable natural diamond.

This can make a major difference to the overall jewellery-buying experience.

Instead of putting most of your budget into a natural diamond center stone, you may be able to choose a larger moissanite and have more flexibility with:

• The size of the center stone
• The ring design
• The metal
• Side stones
• Customization
• Overall craftsmanship

This is one of the biggest reasons buyers consider moissanite.

Moissanite vs Natural Diamond: What About the 4Cs?

The 4Cs are especially important when buying a natural diamond.

Cut

Cut describes how the diamond's proportions, facets and finish affect the way it interacts with light.

A well-cut diamond can look significantly more brilliant than a poorly cut diamond.

Colour

Colour describes how much body colour a diamond has.

For the standard D-to-Z diamond colour scale, D represents the highest degree of colourlessness.

Clarity

Clarity refers to internal characteristics called inclusions and external characteristics called blemishes.

Carat

Carat refers to the weight of the gemstone, not simply its visual size.

One carat equals 0.2 grams.

Does Moissanite Have the Same 4Cs?

Moissanite can also be described in terms of colour, clarity, cut and size, but you should not assume that a moissanite grading description is identical to a natural diamond grading report.

They are different gemstones.

When buying jewellery, make sure the seller clearly states what gemstone you are purchasing and what their quality descriptions mean.

Moissanite vs Natural Diamond: Which Looks Bigger?

This is an interesting consideration when comparing the two.

Carat measures weight, not how large a gemstone looks from the top.

Two gemstones with the same carat weight can have different dimensions and appear different in size.

This is why it is useful to look at millimeter measurements when comparing moissanite and diamond.

For example, when comparing two round center stones, knowing the diameter in millimeters gives you a better idea of how large each will appear in a ring.

This can be particularly useful when choosing a larger engagement-ring center stone.

Moissanite can therefore be attractive to buyers who want a larger-looking center stone without increasing their jewellery budget to the level required for a comparable natural diamond.

Can You Tell Moissanite and Diamond Apart?

Yes.

Although high-quality moissanite can look remarkably similar to diamond, they have different physical and optical properties.

Professional gemological testing can distinguish between them.

One of the differences is that moissanite is doubly refractive while diamond is singly refractive. There are also specialized instruments designed to distinguish moissanite from diamond.

It's worth noting that some basic diamond testers can produce misleading results with moissanite.

Some thermal testers designed to distinguish diamonds from cubic zirconia can incorrectly identify moissanite as diamond.

If identification is important, professional testing is the safest approach.

Is Moissanite a Fake Diamond?

No.

Moissanite is not a fake diamond.

It is a different gemstone.

Calling moissanite a "fake diamond" is misleading because moissanite has its own chemical composition, crystal structure and optical properties.

A more accurate description is diamond simulant or diamond alternative.

The reason it is compared with diamond is simply that its appearance can be similar.

Think of it this way:

Moissanite doesn't have to be a diamond to be beautiful.

Its strong brilliance, colourful fire and durability are precisely what make it attractive as a gemstone.

Moissanite vs Natural Diamond for Engagement Rings

Both can make beautiful engagement rings.

The better choice depends on what you want from your ring.

Moissanite May Be Right for You If You Want:

• Exceptional brilliance
• More noticeable colourful fire
• Excellent everyday durability
• A laboratory-created gemstone
• A larger-looking center stone
• More flexibility within your budget
• A beautiful diamond-like appearance
• A gemstone with its own distinctive character

Natural Diamond May Be Right for You If You Want:

• A naturally formed gemstone
• Diamond's geological history
• The traditional diamond choice
• The rarity associated with natural diamonds
• Diamond's specific optical characteristics
• The established 4Cs grading system

There is no wrong choice.

But if you care about value, visual size, distinctive sparkle and everyday durability, moissanite deserves serious consideration.

Is Moissanite Better Than Natural Diamond?

For some buyers, yes.

Moissanite offers several advantages that make it particularly attractive for jewellery.

It is highly durable, has exceptional fire and brilliance, is generally much more affordable than a comparable natural diamond, and is available in a wide range of shapes and sizes.

At the same time, natural diamonds have qualities that are important to many buyers, especially their natural origin, geological history and traditional significance.

So rather than asking:

"Which gemstone is universally better?"

A better question is:

"Which gemstone gives me what I value most?"

If you want a gemstone that gives you exceptional sparkle and more flexibility with your jewellery budget, moissanite can be an excellent choice.

If owning a naturally formed diamond is particularly meaningful to you, then natural diamond may be the better fit.

Moissanite vs Natural Diamond: Which Should You Choose?

Here's a simple way to decide.

Choose Moissanite If You...

Love colourful sparkle and fire.

Moissanite's higher dispersion gives it distinctive flashes of colour.

Want more flexibility with your budget.

Moissanite is generally much more affordable than a comparable natural diamond.

Want a larger-looking center stone.

A larger moissanite can often be considered without the same increase in cost associated with a larger natural diamond.

Want excellent everyday durability.

With a Mohs hardness of approximately 9.25, moissanite is highly suitable for jewellery worn regularly.

Prefer a laboratory-created gemstone.

Modern jewellery moissanite is predominantly laboratory-created because natural moissanite is exceptionally rare.

Choose Natural Diamond If You...

Specifically want a naturally formed gemstone.

The natural origin of a diamond is important to many people.

Value geological history and rarity.

Natural diamonds formed deep inside the Earth over immense periods of time.

Prefer the traditional diamond look and symbolism.

For many people, nothing replaces the meaning attached to a natural diamond.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moissanite vs Natural Diamond

Is Moissanite a Diamond?

No. Moissanite and diamond are different gemstones. Moissanite is made of silicon carbide, while diamond is made of carbon.

Is Moissanite as Hard as Diamond?

No. Diamond has a Mohs hardness of 10, while moissanite has a hardness of approximately 9.25. Both are highly durable, but diamond is harder.

Does Moissanite Sparkle More Than Natural Diamond?

Moissanite has considerably higher dispersion than diamond, which can result in stronger and more noticeable colourful flashes of fire. Whether you prefer this appearance is a matter of personal taste.

Is Moissanite Cheaper Than Natural Diamond?

Generally, yes. Moissanite is usually considerably less expensive than a comparable natural diamond, although prices vary based on size, quality, cut, colour and other factors.

Can People Tell Moissanite From Diamond?

Moissanite can look very similar to diamond, but the two have different physical and optical properties. Professional gemological testing can distinguish them.

Is Moissanite Good for an Engagement Ring?

Yes. Its high hardness, brilliance and durability make it well suited to engagement rings and other jewellery designed for regular wear.

Does Natural Diamond Last Longer Than Moissanite?

Both can last for generations with proper care. Diamond is harder, but moissanite is also exceptionally durable and suitable for everyday jewellery.

Is Moissanite a Good Alternative to Natural Diamond?

For many buyers, yes. It offers a diamond-like appearance, excellent durability, distinctive fire and generally greater affordability. However, it remains a different gemstone from diamond.

Which Is Rarer: Moissanite or Natural Diamond?

Natural moissanite is extraordinarily rare and generally occurs only in very small crystals. Natural diamonds are also rare and form under unusual geological conditions. Most jewellery moissanite today is therefore laboratory-created.

Can a Diamond Tester Identify Moissanite?

Some basic thermal diamond testers may incorrectly identify moissanite as diamond. More specialized testing can distinguish between the two.

The Bottom Line

Moissanite and natural diamond are both beautiful, durable gemstones, but they offer different experiences.

Moissanite is made from silicon carbide and is generally laboratory-created for jewellery. It is known for its exceptional brilliance, strong colourful fire, excellent durability and accessible price point.

Natural diamond is made from carbon and forms naturally deep within the Earth. It is valued for its natural origin, geological history, rarity, hardness and traditional significance.

If you want a gemstone with impressive sparkle, excellent durability and more freedom within your jewellery budget, moissanite can be an outstanding choice.

If the natural origin and traditional meaning of a diamond are most important to you, a natural diamond may be the right choice.

The important thing is to understand the difference and choose the gemstone that fits your style, priorities and budget.

And if you discover that moissanite checks the boxes that matter most to you, there's no reason to think of it as a compromise.

Moissanite is its own gemstone,with its own beauty, character and reason to choose it.