Moissanite vs Lab-Grown Diamonds: What's the Real Difference?

TL;DR: Moissanite vs Lab-Grown Diamonds at a Glance

• Moissanite: silicon carbide, rainbow sparkle. Lab-grown diamond: pure carbon, white sparkle.
• Lab-grown diamond is harder (10/10 vs 9.25), and resists scratches better long-term.
• Moissanite costs 1/10 the price but has poor resale value.
• Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds with GIA certification.
• Moissanite for budget and color. Lab-grown diamonds for durability and heirlooms.
• Lab-grown diamonds win for investment value and lasting beauty.

Shopping for an engagement ring or fine jewelry? You've likely heard moissanite rings and lab-grown diamonds mentioned, but they're not interchangeable. Many people confuse the two because both are created in laboratories. 

However, moissanite and lab-grown diamonds are fundamentally different gemstones with distinct properties. Let's clarify what is the difference between moissanite and lab-grown diamonds so you can make an informed choice that aligns with your values and lifestyle.

What is Moissanite?

Moissanite is a lab-created gemstone made from silicon carbide, a completely different material from diamonds. Understanding what moissanite is starts with knowing its composition and origin.

The story of moissanite is interesting. In the late 1800s, a scientist named Henri Moissan discovered this mineral in a meteorite, which is why it carries his name. Today, nearly all moissanite on the market is created in laboratories because natural moissanite is extremely rare. 

Here's what defines what moissanite is:

• Lab-created gemstone made from silicon carbide (not carbon)
• Bends light differently than diamonds, creating visible rainbow sparkle
• Highly durable but softer than diamonds
• Costs approximately one-tenth the price of diamonds
• Limited color grading options compared to diamonds

Understanding Lab-Grown Diamonds

Now, here's where many get confused. Is moissanite a real diamond? No. But lab-grown diamonds absolutely are actual diamonds. They're made from pure carbon, identical in composition to mined diamonds. The only difference is origin, created in controlled laboratory environments instead of deep within the Earth over billions of years.

Lab-grown diamonds are:

• Real diamond material (100% carbon atoms in crystalline structure)
• Score 10/10 on the Mohs hardness scale, the hardest known material
• GIA-certified and graded using full 4Cs standards
• Permanent in their optical and physical properties
• Available in every color grade (D through Z)
• Possess identical sparkle and brilliance to mined diamonds

Moissanite vs Lab-Grown Diamonds: Key Differences

Understanding moissanite vs lab-grown diamonds requires looking at how they actually perform. 

Here's the complete breakdown:

The Sparkle Factor

The most noticeable difference between moissanite vs man-made diamond is visual appearance in light. Moissanite exhibits what gemologists call dispersion. It splits light into rainbow colors, creating visible colored fire, especially noticeable in bright sunlight or indoor lighting. A moissanite ring displays this effect prominently, which some find beautiful and others find less diamond-like.

Lab-grown diamonds deliver classic diamond sparkle, brilliant white light reflection that's been treasured for centuries. This white sparkle comes from how diamond's crystal structure refracts light differently than moissanite. The choice between these comes down to personal preference: do you want moissanite's colorful, eye-catching flash, or diamond's traditional white brilliance that blends seamlessly with other jewelry?

Durability and Longevity

Is moissanite a real diamond? No, and this distinction matters significantly when thinking long-term. While moissanite is incredibly durable (9.25/10 hardness), lab-grown diamonds are objectively harder (10/10). Over decades of daily wear, this difference accumulates. Lab-grown diamonds resist scratching better and maintain their polish longer.

Value and Long-Term Worth

Here's what's critical: the difference between moissanite and lab diamond includes resale value and long-term investment. Lab-grown diamonds hold their worth because they're actual diamonds with established grading standards and consistent market demand. Moissanite, while beautiful, has limited resale value. Prices continue declining as production increases and supply grows.

If you're buying a piece you hope to pass down or sell later, a lab-grown diamond offers significantly better long-term value. 

Moissanite vs Lab-Grown Diamonds: Which Should You Choose?

Choose Moissanite If

• Rainbow sparkle genuinely appeals to your aesthetic
• Budget constraints are your primary concern
• You want something distinctly unconventional

Choose Lab-Grown Diamonds If

• Classic diamond appearance matters to you
• Long-term durability is important for daily wear
• Resale or heirloom value concerns you
• You want traditionally certified and graded gemstones

Real is Rare: Why Natural Diamonds Still Matter

While both moissanite and lab-grown diamonds have their place, there's something uniquely extraordinary about natural diamonds. Formed over billions of years deep within the Earth under intense pressure and heat, natural diamonds are authentically rare. Each carries its own geological story, a testament to time, nature's power, and absolute uniqueness. 

At Dana Rebecca Designs, we stand behind the enduring value and profound beauty of natural, ethically sourced diamonds. They represent more than gemstones; they're meant to become heirlooms carrying family memories through generations. Real is rare, and worth it.

Ready to find your perfect piece? Every creation from Dana Rebecca Designs is crafted in 14k gold and designed to become a cherished keepsake you'll treasure for a lifetime.

Schedule a consultation with our team, in person at our Chicago showroom or virtually, today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Will people notice my moissanite is moissanite? 

The rainbow sparkle is noticeable to the trained eye in bright light, though most won't suspect it.

Q. Are lab-grown diamonds fake? 

No. They're real diamonds with identical properties to mined diamonds. Only the origin differs.

Q. Does moissanite get cloudy over time? 

No, but it requires regular cleaning to maintain sparkle and brilliance.

Q. Can I wear moissanite daily?

Yes, it's durable enough, though it scratches more easily than diamond.

Q. Why is a lab-grown diamond more expensive than moissanite? 

Lab-grown diamonds are actual diamonds with established value, proper grading standards, and resale potential.

Q. Can you tell a lab-grown diamond and moissanite apart visually without testing?

Yes. If you pay close attention, moissanite's rainbow fire is obvious in bright light to most observers.