In recent years, Moissanite has become very popular because of its unique properties. The material is harder than diamond and is much cheaper as well. Moissanite is a synthetic gemstone. Henri Moissan, a French scientist found and created it in 1879. Since then, many researchers came on board to develop it in the lab. It is composed of silicon carbide (SiC).
Unlike other gems, Moissanite does not contain any impurities or natural flaws. Follow https://www.moissaniteco.com/moissanite-vs-diamond for more details about these two gemstones.
For many years, diamonds were the most valuable gemstones on earth. However, since the discovery of moissanite, it has been challenging for people to decide which one they should buy. This is especially because both gemstones are so similar. Both have high hardness, but Moissanite is stronger than diamonds. Additionally, moissanite can withstand greater pressure and heat than diamonds.
Moissanite vs Diamond: What is the Difference?
There are several differences between Moissanite and diamonds. These include their physical appearance, chemical composition, price, durability, and more. Therefore, it is important to note that moissanite is not diamond. They only provide almost similar features and qualities but they are different. Here is a detailed look into their differences:
Shape and Size
Both diamond and Moissanite are round stones with a brilliant cut. However, diamonds are generally larger than moissanites. For example, a 10-carat diamond will weigh about 0.4 grams while a 12-carat moissanite will weigh about 0.3 grams. However, moissanite is available in various shapes and sizes. This means it is perfect for making custom items such as rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, etc.
Chemical Composition
Diamonds comprises carbon atoms while moissanite is mainly silicon carbide. Therefore, their internal composition and nature makes them different because these elements have different physical properties.
Weight
Weight is an important consideration when it comes to gemstones. It is one of the aspects used to determine the application and price of these valuable stones. The weight of a diamond is always higher than that of moissanite. A 10-carat diamond weighs about 1 gram while a 12-carats moissanite weighs about 0.8 grams. Therefore, you may want to consider moissanite if you are looking for lightweight jewelry.
Durability
Moissanite is lab grown. With improved manufacturing processes, its hardness and durability have increased significantly over time. On the other hand, diamonds come from the earth’s crust. As a result, the quality of diamonds varies depending on where they come from.
Fire and Brilliance
Gemstones have varying brightness and general appearance. This is due to varying refractive indexes. Just like for other stones, diamond and moissanite show different brightness levels.
You can easily cut moissanite into complex shapes and produce a high refractive index. Therefore, moissanite has more fire and shines brighter than diamonds. This is a huge possibility because manufacturers tweak the properties in the lab to get what they want.
Value and Price
The price of Moissanite is lower than that of diamonds. A 10-carat diamond costs around $1,000 while a 12-carats moissanite costs less than $500. However, this does not mean you should get moissanite if you want to save money. You need to consider your budget before buying moissanite. The good thing is that, moissanite gives you diamond-like qualities at an affordable cost.
Availability
Following the discovery of moissanite’s composition of Silicon Carbide (SiC) people can now manufacture it in the laboratory. Therefore, there is no longer any need to mine the mineral from the ground. It is also possible to make moissanite in a variety of colors, including white, yellow, pink, blue, green, orange, red, black, brown, and even rainbow. For diamond, mining is the main way of getting it.
Ease of Maintenance
Diamonds require special care and maintenance. In fact, most diamonds need treatment with chemicals to make them shine. Moissanite does not require any special treatment or cleaning. It is also easy to clean and maintain.
If you want to know what kind of gemstone is better, then you need to understand the difference between diamonds and Moissanite. There are some similarities between both gemstones, but there are also some significant differences. One thing that you need to remember is that moissanite is a synthetic stone while diamonds are naturally occurring.