Moissanite: What It Is and How It Differs from Diamonds

In 1893, chemist Henri Moissan found crystals in a meteorite that he mistook for diamonds. He was wrong. It was silicon carbide – it's practically non-existent on Earth. The stone was named after the scientist.

Today, jewelry-grade moissanite is grown in a laboratory. Not for the sake of reducing costs – natural supplies simply aren't enough.

How it looks next to a diamond

Refractive index is how many times a stone reflects and refracts light. For diamonds, it's 2.42; for moissanite, it's 2.65. This means moissanite sparkles more actively in light. Not "almost like a diamond" – but differently, and for most people, it looks more striking.

There are buyers who don't like this – "too shiny, unnatural." There are those for whom this is exactly what they want. There's no right answer here.

Hardness

Diamond – 10 on the Mohs scale. Moissanite – 9.25. It can only be scratched by a diamond itself. Keys, bag metal, touching rings – won't leave a mark. For daily wear, the difference between 10 and 9.25 is not noticeable at all.

Price

A 1-carat diamond, VS2, G-H, costs $4,000–6,000 depending on the cut and seller. Moissanite of the same size costs $400–700. A 10-fold difference.

For that money, you can buy the entire Alma set: necklace, earrings, ring, and bracelet. Or simply not spend it.

Where moissanite cannot replace diamond

If the natural mineral is important – billions of years old, a unique geological event, tradition – then no. That's a different matter. No price/quality comparison will work here, nor should it.

However, if the goal is a stone that looks good and wears well – then moissanite is in no way inferior.

Moissanite in the Alma collection

At SIERRA SPACE, every stone in the Alma collection comes with a gemological certificate. 925 sterling silver, handcrafted in Ukraine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will moissanite darken?

No. Cubic zirconia dulls – moissanite does not. Its color and sparkle are retained for years without special care.

Will a jeweler see the difference?

With a standard diamond tester – most likely no, most give a positive on both. A separate moissanite tester is needed. By eye – no.

Are moissanite and cubic zirconia the same thing?

Different materials. Cubic zirconia is zirconium oxide, hardness 8.5, dulls over time. Moissanite is silicon carbide, hardness 9.25, sparkle is stable.