Moissanite Vs Mined and Lab-grown Diamonds: Who Comes Out on Top?

As lab-grown diamond engagement rings surge in popularity, as has the knowledge of other lab-grown stones – like moissanite. The difference between these stones is subtle, but compared to mined diamonds, the price difference is big . But other than that, why should you be buying moissanite rings? Or should you be steering clear from moissanite altogether? We’ve got the answers to all your questions.

Moissanite are grown using the PVT (Physical Vapour Transport Method) and is chemically known as silicon carbide. The name comes from French scientist Henri Moissan, who first discovered the stone and thought it to be a diamond, which tells us something about the beauty of this stone. Moissanite also measures around 9.25-9.5 on the Mohs hardness scale (which measures the hardness of a stone). Compared to both lab grown diamonds and mined diamonds rating of 10 - moissanite is incredibly durable for daily wear too. Thanks to it being a carbon silicate, the stone also repels dirt and dust well, so it’ll be perfect if you’re looking for a low-maintenance engagement ring. Moissanite also has a different sparkle than diamonds. Moissanite has a higher refractive index than diamonds, which means when light enters the stone, it’ll bend more. When light enters a moissanite, it’ll sparkle in a rainbow-like formation. Diamonds, on the other hand, omit a blue-grey sparkle, which is still as beautiful, and it all depends on which you prefer.

Unlike telling the difference between lab grown diamonds and mined diamonds, a trained eye can tell the difference between any diamond and moissanite just by looking at it. Even for those not routinely examining gemstones, once you know what to look for, it can become easier to tell the difference between moissanite and diamond. When it comes to colour, a colourless moissanite and a diamond are slightly different colours. A diamond exhibits sparkle in greys, blues and whites, while a moissanite has more of a rainbow-like appearance in a kaleidoscope. The bigger the moissanite stone, the more obvious the rainbow sparkle will be.

Lab grown gemstones pair beautifully with the growing desire for more personalised ring designs. As more couples seek styles that feel distinctive to them, moissanite offers exceptional versatility across a wide range of shapes. At Cullen Jewellery, our moissanite is available in almost every shape, from classic cuts like Emerald to more expressive options such as Marquise. If you’d like to learn more about moissanite engagement rings, please get in touch with our team.