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With the rise of ethical and affordable diamond alternatives, moissanite jewelry is now a top choice — rivaling lab grown diamonds in brilliance and price. Many buyers prefer moissanite engagement rings for their sparkle, durability, and value. But how does moissanite vs lab diamond really compare?

Let’s find out in this complete moissanite vs lab diamond guide.

Moissanite vs Lab Diamonds: Origin 

At first glance, moissanite vs lab diamond gemstones may look almost identical — both clear, brilliant, and stunning. But in reality, these two stones are very different in composition, creation, and origin. In this section, we’ll act as your jewelry consultant and break down exactly where moissanite and lab grown diamonds come from, and what makes each of them unique.

Moissanite: The Space Diamond

Often called a diamond simulant or diamond alternative, moissanite is not a fake diamond — it’s a genuine gemstone made of silicon carbide (SiC). Naturally rare and first discovered by Henri Moissan in 1893 within a meteor crater, it’s nicknamed the “Space Diamond.”

Today, nearly all moissanite jewelry and moissanite engagement rings feature lab created moissanite. The pioneer brand Charles & Colvard perfected the Forever One Moissanite, known for its superior color and brilliance.

1.01 Carat Round Moissanite Ring Sample from James Allen

Each moissanite takes about 2–3 months to create by combining silicon and carbon under high heat and pressure. The result is a gemstone with incredible fire, clarity, and variety of fancy colors, making it one of the top diamond alternatives on the market.

Lab Grown Diamonds: The Ethical Real Diamond

Moissanite vs Lab Diamond — here’s where the real distinction lies. Lab created diamonds are 100% real diamonds, identical in composition and appearance to natural mined diamonds. The only difference is where they’re formed.

Natural diamonds take billions of years to form about 100 miles beneath the Earth’s surface under immense heat and pressure. Lab diamonds, however, are grown within a few weeks using advanced technology that replicates those same natural conditions.

There are two main methods of creating lab grown diamonds:

1. HPHT (High-Pressure High-Temperature):

   A small diamond seed is exposed to high pressure and temperature, causing carbon atoms to crystallize around it — mimicking the natural diamond formation process.

2. CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition):

   A diamond seed is placed inside a chamber filled with carbon-rich gases such as methane and hydrogen. These gases are heated into plasma, causing carbon atoms to deposit and slowly build up into a real diamond crystal.

The result? A real diamond — not a simulant — that’s chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds, but ethically sourced and environmentally friendly.

Blue Nile Lab Grown Diamond Tennis Bracelets Collection

For many modern buyers, this makes lab grown diamonds a smart, sustainable choice for engagement rings and fine jewelry.

Read Also: Lab Grown Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds, Which Is Better?

Moissanite vs Lab Diamonds: Appearance

At first glance, moissanite vs lab diamond gemstones may seem identical — both clear, brilliant, and beautiful. However, their optical properties tell a very different story. To an untrained eye, a moissanite can easily pass as a lab grown diamond, but under light, the difference becomes crystal clear.

Brilliance & Sparkle

When comparing moissanite vs lab created diamonds, moissanite displays almost twice the brilliance of a diamond. It has a much higher refractive index (2.65–2.69 vs 2.42 for diamonds), which means it bends and reflects more light.

This gives moissanite its signature “disco ball” sparkle, bursting with rainbow flashes — also known as fire. In contrast, a lab diamond reflects a subtler, balanced mix of white and rainbow light, giving it that elegant, classic diamond glow.

When the two are placed side by side, it’s easy to spot the difference: the moissanite will be the stone that glitters the most.

Refraction & Light Behavior

Another key moissanite vs lab diamond difference lies in refraction.
Moissanite is a double-refractive gemstone, meaning light splits into two rays as it passes through — amplifying brilliance and color.
Lab grown diamonds, like natural diamonds, are single-refractive, which results in a more even, understated sparkle.

This difference in refraction is one of the main reasons moissanite looks “flashier” than both lab and mined diamonds — especially under sunlight or LED lighting.

Color & Clarity

Both lab grown diamonds and moissanite can be colorless or near-colorless, but they behave differently under lighting.

• High-quality moissanite (like Forever One Moissanite) is graded colorless (D–F), yet in dim or warm light it may appear slightly grayish or brownish.

• Lab diamonds, on the other hand, maintain their true color grade under all light conditions.

In terms of clarity, moissanites are generally eye-clean, though some may show fine needle inclusions under magnification. Lab diamonds also have inclusions — either natural (if mined) or metallic from the lab growth process (HPHT or CVD) — but these rarely affect brilliance.

Maintenance & Longevity

Over time, moissanite can develop a slight haze on the surface, which doesn’t disappear with basic cleaning.
Manufacturers like Charles & Colvard recommend using a Sunshine polishing cloth to restore its brilliance — something lab diamonds don’t require.

So while moissanite delivers incredible sparkle and color play, lab grown diamonds offer a more timeless, natural diamond look that stays crystal clear for life.

Read Also : Lab Grown Diamond vs White Topaz: What’s the Difference?

Moissanite vs Lab Diamonds: Price Comparison

When it comes to moissanite vs lab diamond price, the winner is clear — moissanite rings are significantly more affordable.

While lab grown diamonds typically cost 20–40% less than mined diamonds, they still remain a costly choice, especially if you’re shopping for a high-clarity, colorless diamond or aiming for something under $1,000. In contrast, moissanite engagement rings offer an equally stunning look for a fraction of the price — one of the biggest moissanite vs lab diamond differences.

Moissanite Pricing

Moissanite is considered one of the more premium diamond alternatives, but still much cheaper than lab created diamonds. It sits between white sapphire and lab diamond in price and quality.

Unlike diamonds, moissanite isn’t graded by the 4Cs (cut, color, clarity, carat). Instead, it’s categorized by quality tiers:

• Premium Moissanite : Near-colorless quality (G–I range), offering great brilliance at a lower price point.

• Super Premium Moissanite: Colorless stones (D–F range), equivalent in look to a top-quality lab diamond.

For example, a 7.5mm Super Premium moissanite (similar in size to a 2.5-carat diamond) from Brilliant Earth costs around $1,590, plus the ring setting of your choice.

Lab Diamond Pricing

A lab grown diamond of the same size and clarity typically costs around two to three times more than a comparable moissanite.
For instance, a 2.5-carat princess cut lab diamond (F color, VS1 clarity) from James Allen is priced around $3,120 — which is about twice to three times the cost of a comparable high-quality moissanite.” That’s a massive price gap between two visually similar stones — and a major reason why many modern buyers prefer moissanite engagement rings as a cost-effective, ethical alternative.

Moissanite vs Lab Diamonds: Value

When comparing moissanite vs lab diamond value, it’s clear that both offer excellent beauty and ethics — but very different long-term worth.

While moissanite engagement rings are far more affordable than even the best lab created diamond rings, value isn’t just about price — it’s about how well a gemstone holds its resale or trade-in potential over time.

Resale & Trade-In Value: Moissanite vs Lab Diamond

When comparing Moissanite vs Lab Diamond, one of the most noticeable differences lies in their resale and trade-in value. Unlike natural diamonds, most jewelers do not offer buyback or trade-up programs for either lab-grown diamonds or moissanite jewelry.

When lab diamonds first entered the market, they were around 25% cheaper than mined diamonds. Today, that price gap has expanded — lab-grown stones can be up to 45% less expensive, and prices continue to fall as production technology improves. Because of this volatility, even the best jewelers in the Moissanite vs Lab Diamond market hesitate to offer trade-in programs; their resale value simply isn’t stable enough.

Why Moissanite Doesn’t Hold Monetary Value

In the Moissanite vs Lab Diamond discussion, moissanite tends to lose when it comes to long-term value. The reason is simple — moissanite isn’t rare. It’s fully lab-created, and its production can scale endlessly, making it more of a fashion gem than an investment stone. Lab diamonds, on the other hand, share the same chemical and physical structure as natural diamonds — carbon crystals with identical hardness and brilliance — which gives them slightly more intrinsic worth, though still far from investment-grade.

The Real Value: Beauty & Ethics

The true comparison of Moissanite vs Lab Diamond goes beyond resale value — it’s about what each gem represents. For most modern buyers, “value” means owning a beautiful, ethical, and sustainable gemstone that lasts a lifetime. Both moissanite and lab-grown diamonds deliver exactly that:

• 🌿 Eco-friendly & conflict-free: Both options are sustainable and responsibly produced.

• 💎 High brilliance & clarity: Each offers stunning sparkle without the premium price tag of mined diamonds.

• 💰 Affordable luxury: The Moissanite vs Lab Diamond market provides high-end looks for less, making luxury more accessible than ever.

So while neither moissanite nor lab diamonds are ideal for resale or flipping, they shine brightest where it truly counts — in beauty, ethics, and modern value.

Read Also : 7 Common Moissanite Problems: Are They Deal-Breakers?

 Moissanite vs Lab Diamonds: Durability

One of the most important moissanite vs lab diamond differences is durability — how well each gemstone holds up against everyday wear.

Jewelers measure a stone’s durability using the Mohs Scale of Hardness, which determines how resistant a gemstone is to scratches and damage. The higher the number, the tougher the stone.

A lab grown diamond ranks at the very top with a 10 on the Mohs scale, making it the hardest mineral on Earth. It’s nearly impossible to scratch, making it ideal for engagement and wedding rings that are worn daily.

Moissanite, meanwhile, is the closest gemstone to diamond in terms of hardness, rating at 9.25. That’s even higher than sapphire and ruby (both 9), and much tougher than topaz, which ranks at 8. Both gemstones are extremely resilient and suitable for everyday wear. However, diamonds have a slight edge — they’re less likely to develop surface scratches or chips over time.

Chipping usually occurs in diamonds that contain inclusions or lower clarity grades. Moissanite doesn’t have these natural inclusions, which gives it a small advantage in structure integrity. However, any gemstone can chip if hit hard enough or set improperly.

Another small factor that affects both stones is shape. Cuts with sharp edges — such as marquise, princess, pear, and heart — are more prone to chipping compared to round or oval cuts.

In short, both moissanite and lab grown diamonds are highly durable and long-lasting. But if you want the absolute highest hardness and scratch resistance, a lab diamond still takes the crown.

Read Also : Morganite vs Moissanite: What Makes Each One Different?

Moissanite vs Lab Diamonds: Repairs

When buying any frequently worn jewelry like engagement rings or wedding bands, always choose a seller that provides a lifetime warranty or maintenance plan.

• White gold rings require rhodium plating every year ($60–$120) to keep their bright color, while platinum stays naturally silver but costs more.

• Good warranties usually cover rhodium replating, stone tightening, prong retipping, and cleaning — not just manufacturer defects.

• James Allen offers lifetime maintenance for lab diamond rings, including rhodium and prong work

  👉 Always read the warranty details carefully — it saves you costly future repairs.

Moissanite vs Lab Diamond FAQ

❓💎 1. Is moissanite better than lab diamonds?

It depends on your style and budget. Moissanite offers more rainbow sparkle and is far more affordable, while lab diamonds provide the classic white brilliance and a closer match to natural diamonds.

❓✨ 2. Do moissanite rings get cloudy or lose sparkle?

Not permanently! Moissanite can develop a light haze from skin oils or residue, but regular cleaning or using a Sunshine polishing cloth will restore its shine instantly.

❓💰 3. Why are lab grown diamonds more expensive than moissanite?

Lab diamonds cost more because they’re real diamonds made with advanced technology that mimics natural formation. Moissanite, while stunning, is a different gemstone made from silicon carbide, which is less costly to produce.

❓🌿 4. Are both moissanite and lab diamonds ethical choices?

Yes! Both are eco-friendly and conflict-free, making them great sustainable alternatives to mined diamonds.

❓💍 5. Which lasts longer — moissanite or lab diamond?

Both are extremely durable, but lab diamonds take the crown for hardness (10 on the Mohs scale vs. moissanite’s 9.25). Still, both will last a lifetime with proper care.