What is a Moissanite? | Benefits of Moissanite vs. Diamond
Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend – but moissanite is kinder to your wallet (and the planet!). Whether you’re planning to pop the question or want to splurge on luxury jewelry, moissanite has become the go-to gemstone. Chic, sparkly, and eco-friendly, moissanite is more than just a diamond alternative. It’s a gemstone that deserves its own moment in the spotlight.
Moissanite is a naturally occurring gemstone made of silicon carbide. However, most of the moissanite you’ll find on the market today is made in a lab. First found by Henri Moissan, a French chemist in 1893, moissanite has skyrocketed in popularity as a sustainable alternative to mined gemstones and diamonds.
At Chantal Vaulet, we believe that exquisite jewelry shouldn’t have to cost six figures. Moissanite is a gemstone you’ll find across our range of affordable luxury, giving you a modern engagement ring without the cost – or environmental footprint – of natural diamonds.
What is a Moissanite?
Moissanite is a gemstone often considered to have come from the stars. If you love a sparkly gemstone, moissanite is for you. When Henri Moissan first discovered the gemstone, he thought it was a diamond. It’s a common mistake still made today. To the naked eye, diamonds and moissanites look virtually the same.
Although natural moissanites, made of silicon carbide, are rare, lab-grown moissanite is more affordable and sustainable. If you’re searching for a modern heirloom or a sustainable engagement ring, moissanite should be at the top of your shopping list. Fully traceable and with no need for mining, moissanite is the gemstone defining today’s jewelry industry.
Benefits of Moissanite
Choosing moissanite instead of diamonds or other natural gemstones is a more affordable and sustainable choice. Lab-grown moissanite has a low carbon footprint with a less expensive per carat cost.
You can buy a significantly larger stone with a better brilliance when choosing a moissanite instead of a diamond. It also lacks the ethical concerns of mined diamonds, even with the implementation of the Kimberley Process.
Moissanite rates at 9.25 on the Mohs scale, almost comparable to diamonds, making it strong enough for daily wear. The benefit of choosing lab-grown moissanite is that you’ll have a chocolate box of cuts and colors to choose from. If you’re shopping for custom jewelry, moissanite gives you the freedom to choose any type of silhouette.
Moissanite vs. Natural Diamond
Moissanite engagement rings are often compared to natural diamonds (also known as mined diamonds). While it’s important to remember that moissanite is not a type of diamond, they look virtually identical. What makes moissanite vs. diamond different is their composition. While moissanite is made of silicon carbide, diamonds are formed by carbon.
Eco-friendly moissanite comes at a significantly lower price tag than diamonds with the price usually set by the carat weight, shape, and size. The price of a natural diamond is set by the 4Cs of diamond quality: cut, clarity, color, and carat.
Although moissanite and diamonds look the same, they don’t produce the same ‘fire’. Moissanite has a higher refractive index, causing it to produce a greater rainbow of color – or brilliance – when the light hits the stone. However, diamonds rate higher on the Mohs scale, clocking in at a perfect 10.
Both moissanite and diamonds can have color, although they are often made colorless. If you want a colored stone, you can expect to find the best deal when choosing a moissanite as colored diamonds, also known as ‘fancy diamonds’, are considered rarer and more expensive.
Moissanite vs. Lab Diamond
Lab-grown diamonds have become popular for the same reasons as moissanite engagement rings. They’re considered more affordable and sustainable than natural diamonds but cost more than moissanite. Although they are chemically and visually the same as natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are manufactured in a controlled environment in a laboratory using carbon.
These modern diamonds don’t have the ethical or environmental concerns of their mined counterpart and are still considered diamonds. They also have the same drawbacks as natural diamonds; they’re less brilliant and are priced using the 4Cs. Once a lab-grown diamond is formed, it’s cut and polished the same way as a moissanite.
Moissanite vs. Cubic Zirconia
Cubic zirconia is a cheaper alternative to diamonds and is commonly used for costume and casual jewelry. It’s a man-made gemstone, created using zirconium dioxide in a laboratory. Although more affordable than moissanite engagement rings, it’s not a suitable choice for everyday jewelry as it’s weaker with the stone more likely to scratch. Cubic zirconia noticeably ages with time, becoming cloudy and showing signs of wear.
Moissanite and cubic zirconia are both lab-made, but cubic zirconia only has an 8 rating on the Mohs scale and less sparkle as it lacks the same brilliance. If you’re buying jewelry to wear every day, you’ll want to choose moissanite instead of cubic zirconia.
Unlike cubic zirconia, moissanite is a gemstone that looks visually stunning in any setting and can be worn next to any stone in an engagement ring, including diamonds.
FAQs About Moissanite
Got a question about our moissanite jewelry? Drop us a message on Instagram or use our chatbot to speak to our friendly Chantal Vaulet customer service team.
· Does moissanite last as long as diamonds?
Moissanite is a gemstone that will last as long as diamonds. It’s suitable for modern engagement rings and can be worn daily.
· Is moissanite considered a precious stone?
Moissanite is not considered a precious stone, but it is visually stunning. Diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires are traditionally considered the four precious stones.
· How do I clean moissanite jewelry?
Moissanite care and cleaning are relatively straightforward. Put your moissanite engagement ring into soapy water with a few drops of non-toxic jewelry cleaner or liquid soap. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean your moissanite jewelry before air drying.
· Is a moissanite a fake diamond?
A moissanite is not a fake diamond. It’s a genuine gemstone and one of the most popular affordable and sustainable alternatives to diamonds.
Add a Touch of Luxury with Moissanite Jewelry at Chantal Vaulet
Embrace timeless elegance with the affordable luxury of moissanite jewelry. At Chantal Vaulet, we use eco-friendly moissanite to create modern engagement rings that stand the test of time. Every piece in our collection is hand-picked and sustainably sourced. Make Chantal Vaulet part of your love story by shopping our moissanite engagement rings.
