Moissanite: The Top Synthetic Diamond Simulant

The immense popularity of diamonds from their use as gemstones for collectors, to their adoption in the making of fine jewellery, has driven the demand for diamond alternatives. The high price and relative rarity of diamonds, particularly the top quality stones that score well in the diamond quality scales: the 4Cs meant that the gemstone industry has been on the lookout for solid competing options.

Enter the Moissanite. In this Education page, we will break down the main features of the Moissanite. Their chemical character, their history of use, and how they match up against diamonds, the top gemstone in the industry.

What is a Moissanite?

To understand what a moissanite stone is, we need to start with the origins. It all began in 1893, when the French scientist Dr Henri Moissan, came into contact with an interesting new mineral deposit: silicon carbide. Located in the Diablo Canyon in the state of Arizona, which is also the location of a meteorite strike. This set the imagination running, as it was then viewed to be a mineral from out of space. And for a long time, moissanite was viewed as a gemstone that could only be found in out of space.

However, samples recovered by Dr Moissan proved significant. A later study revealed a number of valuable intrinsic qualities to the mineral when cut and shaped. Notably its many similarities with the precious diamond. Hence the mineral and the gemstone that is made from it came to be named after the French scientist. But nothing much would happen for the next century or so. Given the immense rarity of the mineral in its natural form.

In the later part of the 20th century, when lab grown gemstones and most notably diamonds had become more of a mainstay, the production of moissanite gems start getting traction. Led by a handful of companies, who brought the popularity of the moissanite gems forward. And given their comparable features to diamonds, their adoption only grew stronger.

What makes moissanite a good diamond simulant is the similarities go to the very structure of the stone. Moissanite is made of silicon carbide being quite similar to carbon-based stone. In addition, moissanite, as we shall see shares a number of gem quality characteristics which correspond to the clarity and cut of the stone, making a top diamond simulant or even substitute.

The entry of moissanite gems as a viable stone to the jewellery market was thanks to the efforts of Charles & Colvard whose company is the leading producer of moissanite gemstones and jewellery.

Natural and Synthetic Moissanite

When it comes to the popular use of moissanite gems, natural variants of this stone are generally not used. In addition to their immense rarity, which makes the widespread adoption of moissanite gems, a poor financial choice. The rarity of natural moissanite is an interesting topic, as it origins which, as noted were from remnants of meteorites. In some rare instances, moissanite deposits have been found as inclusions in natural diamonds! This probably tells you how rare these gemstones are.

This in turn was followed by the mastery of artificial production methods, which started to take off in the 1970s and 80s. With diamond synthetic variants leading the way. With producing of artificial moissanite going mainstream in the mid 90s, the lab grown variant soon became the go-to choice for use as a diamond substitute. This process became rather straightforward, as silicon carbide, as noted is similar to natural carbon: being a result of the combination of carbon and silicon.

When looking for contrasting features between natural and artificial moissanite, the main point to consider is that almost all moissanite that is found in the gemstone industry is man-made. Synthetic variants of the stone are cheaper, and often feature high clarity. Generally in the VS1 range. This is an important consideration when it comes to picking moissanite gemstones in general. Since artificial gems naturally tend to be of higher clarity levels on average, making a key factor in gemstone selection an easier choice.

Moissanite vs Diamonds: How They Differ

Right, so we are at the part that you have been waiting for: How well do moissanite gems compare with real diamonds? Pretty well actually. The first thing to consider is that moissanite gems score relatively across all of the main quality factors that determine diamond quality. Leaving aside variables like cut and carat, moissanite is a top gemstone in its own right.

The stand-out features of moissanite are its durability, natural fire, brilliance, and scintillation. To break these important factors at a time: Moissanite in contrast to natural (colourless) diamonds, score a solid 9.20 in terms of durability in the Mohs scale for hardness. Coming just behind the precious diamonds, and even beating out top natural gemstones like sapphires and rubies (9.0 Mohs). This itself makes the moissanite a worthy option. But when combined with its external features in a well-cut stone, then you have yourself a solid competitor.

As noted Moissanite is a great gemstone alternative as it showcases gemstone elements that are notable in diamonds. Among these is the gemstone’s brilliance or overall brightness of the stone. Moissanite features much greater natural brilliance than diamonds. As we have outlined in the table below comparing both gemstones, moissanite has naturally higher brilliance than the top natural gemstone.

When it comes to fire: another key gemstone quality that measures the dispersion of light into visible colour in the light spectrum, moissanite outdoes diamonds here as well. However, moissanite gems are known to reflect white with less intensity than diamonds and are known to showcase a coloured reflection.

Moissanite on the other is much more affordable. With prices per carat, often coming in at less than a tenth of the price of comparable size diamonds. Which is their main selling point. Here is a breakdown of the main differences between the two gemstones.

A key point to note when purchasing diamonds is that given the similarity between moissanite and diamonds, there is the possibility that two stones can get confused. Especially for the untrained eye. Thus gemstone buyers must look for certification of the diamond they are purchasing, to ensure authenticity.

The key difference between moissanite and diamonds is the price. Provided we are only talking about natural diamonds: which are sourced from the Earth, diamonds are much harder to come by, and involve considerable mining, cutting and polishing processes. With gem-quality stones with few inclusions being relatively small in number.

Moissanite vs Lab Grown Diamonds

When it comes to picking a top-quality gemstone, say for your  engagement ring, there are a number of factors to consider. From the type of stone, price, carat, and other factors that make up the 4Cs, which also apply to other top gemstones. When it comes to moissanite the key selling point is that it is a solid artificial gemstone that contains many of the features that are found in diamonds. Features that have made them a household name, but barring the cost.

So what happens if you are faced with a synthetic diamond alternative? One that is much cheaper than natural diamonds, and generally can be found at higher clarity levels than natural stones and is considered an ethical option. Well, the first point to consider is that moissanite is a diamond simulant. Not diamond alternatives. Meaning they feature qualities which mimic or are similar to natural carbon-based gemstones. And their use historically has been as a side or accent stone in diamond jewellery. Meaning they are there to supplement the look of gems that feature diamonds.

Hence diamond simulants like moissanite do not carry the same perceived value and status that diamonds do. For example, if someone were to ask what your engagement ring’s gemstone is? Saying that it is moissanite is not very fashionable. But if it is an artificial diamond, calling it a diamond is no problem!