Is Moissanite the Best Fake Diamond?

Rather than being a “fake” diamond, moissanite is a remarkable gemstone in its own right, celebrated for its exceptional brilliance, fire and durability. With its radiant sparkle, moissanite captures attention through its celestial origins and affordability and is perfect for those seeking a luminous, enduring stone with its own distinctive character and modern charm.

Moissanite is actually a unique gemstone distinguishable from diamonds and other white gemstones. Although it is similar in appearance to a diamond and many people do opt for a moissanite as an affordable alternative to a diamond, it was never actually intended to be used as a diamond alternative or substitute. (I mean, it was literally stumbled upon by a French scientist in a meteor crater of all places!). Moissanite is not made from carbon like diamonds – instead, it is made of silicon carbide and has its own unique physical properties. The beauty of moissanite is that it comes with all of the advantages of being a durable and sparkly gemstone and just happens to look very similar to a diamond!

In the same way that a sapphire or an emerald is different from a diamond, so is moissanite! It is not a faux diamond, but rather an incredibly affordable, durable and beautiful diamond alternative. Extremely popular in the United States, Canada and throughout Europe, moissanite is quickly gaining popularity in Australia as something a little different from the traditional diamond ring.

Although there are many fake diamonds out there that look very similar to a real diamond, they are not made to last and will need replacing every few years. Take cubic zirconia for example: although it is extremely affordable and almost everywhere you look, it is not necessarily the best option for an engagement ring stone. Cubic zirconia is an extremely affordable option but is made from a softer, synthetic material that consists of zirconium dioxide, making it more prone to scratches. As scratches build up on the surface of this fake diamond, the less brilliant the stone looks and the more cloudy it becomes. This is why those cheap cubic zirconia earrings that you bought a few months ago or that cubic zirconia diamond ring you’ve been wearing everyday are only looking worse with each new day. Cubic zirconia will get cloudy after a year or so of everyday wear and will unfortunately never look as good as the day you bought it.

Luckily for us, we have moissanite as an incredible alternative! This precious gem is not only beautiful, but one of the hardest substances on earth, ranking just below a diamond on the hardness scale at 9.25-9.5. This means that unlike faux diamonds such as cubic zirconia (which score a hardness rating of 8), moissanite is incredibly scratch-resistant and guaranteed to maintain its brilliance over a lifetime of daily wear.

Moissanite looks so similar to diamonds that most people actually struggle to tell the difference between the two, even when placed side by side! The one telling difference is that moissanite will display slightly more rainbow sparkles than a diamond, as it has a higher refractive index. Just like a lab grown diamond, this precious gemstone also has a high clarity grade and colourless appearance.

However, for a lot of people the real appeal of this incredible gemstone is the fact that it can cost significantly less than diamonds, whether mined or lab grown. This means that increasing the size of your stone will not send prices skyrocketing, which can occur with diamonds. Moissanite allows you to have the engagement ring of your dreams without sacrificing quality for price – it’s a win-win situation!

A moissanite engagement ring is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Not only is it a beautiful and durable gemstone in its own right, it’s also a great choice that considers the environment, since moissanite is produced in laboratories, and doesn’t require the mining processes that are used to source natural diamonds.

Moissanite beautifully captures the essence of modern love. With its exceptional brilliance and durability, it stands as a stunning choice for those seeking a meaningful, lasting symbol of commitment. Discover more about moissanite’s unique qualities and why it continues to shine as a favourite for engagement rings. To learn more about why moissanite is a popular choice for fine jewellery, explore our blogs or contact us today.