Two rings, side by side in a jeweller’s display. One ring could have a diamond and the other, a moissanite. The stones look similar but the properties of the gems couldn’t be different. Diamond vs moissanites are popular choices for bridal rings. They have different composition, sparkle, durability and cost.
New Zealand couples looking to buy an engagement ring will want to compare the differences between the diamonds and moissanites before spending thousands of their hard earned cash. Couples will often be drawn to the traditional look of a diamond or the vibrant sparkle and affordability of moissanite.
But did you know there is a third option? A lab created diamond. These diamonds share the same fundamental properties as mined diamonds. They are a separate category to diamond imitations.
Diamond Vs Moissanites: What Makes Them Similar?
Diamonds are comprised of crystallised carbon. Moissanite is made from silicon carbide. The two gemstones have different optical properties.
Diamonds are formed deep underground and inside the earth’s crust. Moissanite was discovered in a meteorite, but the gemstones you see in jewellers are man made.
The similarity in appearance between diamonds and moissanite often means gemstones need to be tested before they can be set into rings
Diamonds Vs Moissanite Sparkle – Difference Explained
Did you know the way a gemstone reflects the light makes a difference to its appearance?
Under the bright artificial lights in a jeweller’s shop, the dispersion of a moissanite gemstone can be very noticeable. The gemstone has a rainbow-like sparkle around the body of the stone. There doesn’t seem to be an even distribution of white light and colour. If the sparkles are too bright some people find it distracting.
Diamonds also sparkle, but the pattern of light is quite different. Large brilliant cut diamonds have flashes of colour, but these flashes are smaller and balanced by the white brilliance.
It’s quite a subtle difference, but some people prefer the look of a moissanite to a diamond ring, or vice versa.
Diamond Vs Moissanites Shimmer
You’ve picked out your ideal gemstone. It looks brilliant in the display case. But now you’re faced with deciding between a few options for your ring setting. The way the gemstone interacts with light can be a decisive factor. It’s the same if you’re comparing diamond Vs moissanite shimmer.
The cut of a gemstone has a big impact on the way the light moves through it. A poorly cut diamond will look less lively than a well cut moissanite. A moissanite in the wrong cut won’t show the gemstone’s best attributes.
If you’re shopping at a jeweller in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch, or anywhere in New Zealand, you might want to look at your potential engagement rings under a variety of different lighting conditions before making a final decision.
Especially if you’re comparing the two stones in isolation, lighting can make a surprising difference to the way the gemstone looks. Look at the stones by a window, in regular indoor lighting and under particularly bright lights.
Lab Created Diamonds Vs Moissanite
Are lab created diamonds different to moissanite? Yes. There are a couple of reasons why lab diamonds are a completely different gemstone to their moissanite counterparts.
Lab diamonds are grown in a controlled environment. The process involves growing the crystals the same way they would occur naturally. Lab diamonds have the same fundamental element as mined diamonds. This makes them a genuine alternative to natural diamonds. The process used to grow them is either HPHT, or chemical vapour deposition.
Moissanite is made from silicon carbide, and the process used to grow them in a laboratory is different.
Diamond Vs Moissanite – Hardness
It’s important to think about how practical a ring will be if it’s going to be worn every day. When thinking about diamond Vs moissanite hardness, the Mohs scale is useful to determine which gemstone is hard enough for everyday wear.
The Mohs scale measures the relative hardness of minerals. It doesn’t measure things like brittleness. The scale goes from 1, the softest, to 10, the hardest.
| Gemstone | Mohs Hardness |
|---|---|
| Natural Diamond | 10 |
| Lab Diamond | 10 |
| Moissanite | Approx. 9.25 |
Diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring substance on earth. The same goes for lab created diamonds. Moissanite is also a particularly hard gemstone, but it doesn’t reach the same level as diamond.
Despite this, it’s important to understand that hardness isn’t the same thing as unbreakable. While a diamond is highly unlikely to scratch, it is possible for it to chip if the impact occurs at an unfortunate angle.
Diamonds vs moissanite durability is important. The ring setting also plays a major role in determining how likely the gemstone is to be damaged. Pointed ends, delicate prongs and high settings are all risk factors for chipping or fracturing the gemstone.
If you’re thinking of getting a ring but you work with your hands a lot, you might want to consider a lower profile ring in a setting that protects the gemstone from the elements.
Diamond Vs Moissanite Cost
Diamond Vs moissanite cost is one of the factors people tend to consider most when they’re looking to buy an engagement ring. Moissanite is significantly cheaper than a diamond of an equivalent face up size. Lab diamonds tend to be somewhere in between, though prices vary depending on retailer, quality, carat weight and a few other factors.
Diamonds are priced according to the traditional four C’s – cut, clarity, carat weight and colour. Moissanite pricing is based on the size of the stone, or roughly the equivalent size in millimetres if it were a diamond. Diamond colour and clarity, as well as cut quality, are important factors that influence pricing. A diamond with a larger carat weight and poor clarity won’t be significantly cheaper than a smaller stone with excellent clarity.
The price of the ring isn’t just determined by the gemstone. If you’re considering a ring in gold or platinum, or one with a more complicated setting, then you might want to factor in the cost of the band and the cost of the artisanry required to set the gemstone.
Does a Larger Center Stone Always Look Better?
If you’re considering a larger centre stone your ring may look different, but how does it actually impact the appearance of the ring?
If a ring has a smaller centre stone but a larger band, then the appearance of the ring changes dramatically. Moissanites can be more dramatic than diamonds because of the way the gemstone sparkles. You may want to consider how the stone will look if you’ve got a square or rectangular shaped ring, or a round brilliant cut ring, versus an oval or emerald cut ring.
Emerald cut diamonds and moissanites don’t sparkle in the same way round brilliant cut gemstones do. The light isn’t refracted in the same way. The clarity and width of reflections are more important than the density of the sparkle.
Oval and Pear cuts can also elongate the fingers when worn. However, you should think about the balance of the ring and how it will look on the person wearing it.
A well balanced ring will suit the proportions of the person wearing it, and their lifestyle, not just the largest gemstone within its budget.
Lab Diamonds – Testing and Certification
It’s important to test a lab diamond the same way you would any other valuable item. Ask to see a grading report from an independent organisation such as the Gemological Institute of America or International Gemological Institute. These reports can vary in the amount of information they provide, so it’s important to find out exactly what information you can expect from the certifier.
Diamond cut quality is particularly important, but the other factors such as colour and clarity also play a part in the overall brilliance of the gemstone – and whether it’s worth the money you’re spending on it.
If you’re shopping for a lab grown diamond, Novita Diamonds is a great place to start comparing the different cuts and shapes of the diamonds. But remember, it’s still important to look at the grading report and the fine print for any given retailer when considering the overall price and quality of a lab diamond ring.
A gemstone grading report isn’t a financial evaluation, and the two documents serve quite different purposes.
Diamond Vs Moissanite – Can You Tell them Apart?
Sometimes a diamond and a moissanite will look so similar that the only way to tell them apart is with a special tool. Moissanite has a property called double refraction. If you magnify the gemstone, you’ll be able to see the edges of some facets are doubled. Diamonds have a property called single refraction. When using a magnifying glass, this makes the gemstone look slightly out of focus.
A qualified jeweller will be able to use the appropriate equipment to identify the gemstone. Diamond testing pens are unreliable for identifying the difference between the two stones. Some moissanite stones conduct heat the same way diamonds do, so they’ll register as diamonds on a diamond tester.
Lab created diamonds vs moissanite – How much are they worth?
Jewellery isn’t an investment. Natural diamonds, lab diamonds and moissanite can all lose significant amounts of value once they’re purchased, depending on a number of factors. There are a few things to consider when thinking about resale value. For example, the current demand for the gemstone, its qualities, any certification, and the value of the band or ring setting.
The value of lab created diamonds fluctuates with supply and demand. You shouldn’t assume that a lab created diamond will retain a significant percentage of its initial value.
Before purchasing a ring, it’s a good idea to find out if the jeweller offers resizing, repairs, warranties and returns, just in case.
If you’re shopping in New Zealand, you’ll want to make sure you know what Novita Diamonds’ current terms and conditions are before making your purchase.
Diamond Vs Moissanite – What to Know Before Buying
Diamond Vs moissanite buying guide. The most important question to ask yourself isn’t how much the rings cost. It’s what you want them to look like, and how much you’re willing to spend. Moissanite is a good option for people who like the look of a large vibrant stone in a ring, and a smaller budget.
Diamonds are a good option for people who like the look of a large, vibrant stone, and a bigger budget. Lab diamonds offer a third choice for people who want the look and feel of a diamond without the inflated price tag.
Whichever one you decide on, make sure you look at the cut and compare it in different lighting. The sparkle and brilliance will change depending on its cut and the way it reflects light. A ring setting is equally as important as the gemstone. A good quality setting will secure the stone in place and protect it from damage.
