Moissanite Vs. Diamond

Quick Facts 

• Moissanite is a near colorless gemstone.
  Most common Diamonds are classified in this range.
• Moissanite ranks 9.25 on the Mohs Hardness scale making it the second hardest gem.
  Diamond ranks 10 making it the hardest gem.
• Moissanite possess more fire or dispersion (the flashes) at .104
  Diamond rates considerably lower at .044
• Moissanite also has a higher refractive index or brilliance (the sparkle) at 2.65
  Diamond comes in at 2.42
• Moissanite is only available as a lab-created stone as its natural state is not found on Earth (it was discovered in a meteorite).
  Diamond is readily available in its natural state and there are now companies creating lab-created diamond see Apollo, Gemesis, Takara or even Life Gem.
• Moissanite costs a fraction of its diamond equivalent.
  Diamonds are sold to us as an "investment", but the average consumer isn't purchasing investment grade stones and very few jewelers will buy them back at full price unless you "upgrade" with a more expensive stone.
• One company Charles and Colvard holds the patent for jewelry grade moissanite.
  One company has been known for controlling the diamond market and its prices.

The 4C's of Moissanite 

Although an official grading system is not in place, the majority of moissanite fall into these diamond grading scales.

• Color: The gem typically falls into the near colorless range of a diamond F-G-H-I, but a slight green or yellowish undertone can be found in some in particular lighting. Round Brilliant faces up the whitest. Fancy shapes hold more of the slight green/yellow body color. When buying from any online store where you won't be able to see the moissanite before purchasing, make sure they have a return policy if you get a stone with more color than you like.
• Clarity: VS1-VS2. Moissanite should be eye clean, but under magnification needle or tube like inclusions from the creation process can be seen.
• Carat: Keep in mind that carat is a weight, not a size. Gemstones are typically sized by MM. For example a 6.5MM round moissanite is the equivalent to a 1ct round diamond. Check out the Actual Diamond Sizes for a complete list of sizes.
• Cut: Moissanite would not be as beautiful if it were cut to the same proportions as diamond due to differing optical properties. This brochure from the manufacture explains how they developed the specifications for cutting moissanite: Cut Brochure in PDF format
  
  Shape: Moissanite comes in several different shapes, the best way to view them all (other than in person) is the manufacturer's brochure:
  Shapes & Sizes in PDF format

Reasons you wouldn't call moissanite a man-made diamond. 

1. It does not have the same chemical make-up of a diamond. Moissanite was discovered from a fallen star. It's not a natural element to earth like diamond is.
2. It is double-refractive (the reason it throws off more sparkles). Diamond is single-refractive. To a trained eye this is the most common trait that will "give away" a Moissanite.
3. Moissanite is naturally green. Diamonds can be colored too, but colorless is the most common.
4. Moissanite is not graded like diamonds. It's all priced by size and treated the same regardless of any color differences.

Just for Fun! 

An Average Price Comparison updated June 30, 2009

• .5 CT Ideal Cut, I Color, VS2: $953
  .5 CT equivalent Moissanite: $119
  

  Difference: $834

• .75 CT Ideal Cut, H Color, VS2: $2,336
  .75 CT equivalent Moissanite: $249
  

  Difference: $2,087

• 1 CT Ideal Cut, I Color, VS2: $4,451
  1 CT equivalent Moissanite: $319
  

  Difference: $4,132

• 1.5 CT Ideal Cut, I Color, VS2: $8,434
  1.5 CT equivalent Moissanite: $579
  

  Difference: $7,855

• 2 CT Ideal Cut, I Color, VS2: $15,064
  2 CT equivalent Moissanite: $730
  

  Difference: $14,334

• 2.5 CT Ideal Cut, H Color, VS1: $31,614
  2.5 CT equivalent Moissanite: $930
  

  Difference: $30,684

• 3.00 CT Ideal Cut, H Color, VS2: $41,977
  3 CT equivalent Moissanite: $1,250
  

  Difference: $40,727

Why I told my fiance to go with Moissanite 

• I wanted a high quality elaborate setting. Most diamond jewelers pushed us to spend the majority of our budget on the stone and skimp on the setting.
• I couldn't justify spending thousands and then having my heart stop if I happen to drop my ring on the tile bathroom floor or if the cat decides to use it as a hockey puck down the floor vent or god-forbid some one were to steal it. Edit: My heart still stops every time I even bump my engagement ring... but it's not for fear of what it cost; it's because it's so darn gorgeous I don't want to ever hurt it. I'm very clumsy and hard on my jewelry and I have yet to scratch or ding any of my moissanite. From my 4 year old pieces to my wedding set. All the stones are as gorgeous as the day I got them.
• I still wanted a colorless diamond-like gem with great sparkle that wouldn't become cloudy or scratched up. Moissanite fits that. CZ doesn't. Other colorless gemstones lacked the fire and sparkle. Moissanite has more than even diamond.
• I own other moissanite pieces, love them and get compliments on them. And yes, people assume they are diamonds unless I tell them otherwise. Sometimes I do and sometimes I just smile at their presumptuousness. Moissanite isn't well known where I live, which is probably why so many are fooled into thinking it is a diamond.
• I don't put a whole lot of stock into what other's think about my engagement and wedding rings. I love them and my husband is proud of them, and that's what matters most.
  
  However, there are people that turned their noses up, or rather looked down on us after we told them the ring they were just admiring isn't actually diamond. My husband, who took awhile to convince, now looks at this kind of turn about reaction as a way these people justify their own preconceived notions on diamonds, especially the ones that have plunked down quite a bit more cash for rings not nearly as impressive. After all, he felt that way once too.