What Is a Diamond?

A real diamond is a naturally occurring mineral comprised of carbon and graphite.  Over billions of years of extreme pressure and heat, these carbon-containing fluids dissolve other minerals and leave behind dazzling diamonds in their place.

Diamonds are trapped in igneous rock—rock that forms when hot, molten rock crystallizes and solidifies—and pushed toward the surface with geologic movement and volcanic eruptions.

A clear, colorless diamond is the rarest type of diamond found in nature.  Less than 1 percent of the diamonds mined are D or E (which means colorless diamond).  However, nitrogen, boron and other elements can add impurities to the crystalline structure, producing a wide array of colors from red and pink to deep blue and yellow gold.

What is Moissanite?

If you are not yet familiar with Moissanite, it is a gem-quality silicon carbide that is frequently mistaken for a diamond due to its similar appearance. However, it is important to note that Moissanite is not a diamond simulant, but rather a superior alternative that boasts exceptional fire and brilliance. Its exceptional hardness also makes it an excellent choice for creating heirloom-quality jewelry, as it is highly resistant to scratches, chips, and breakage. Furthermore, our Moissanites are expertly cut and polished to a higher standard than the majority of diamonds commonly found in engagement rings.

Moissanite and Diamond hardness and durability

The hardness and durability of diamonds

Diamonds are famous for their excellent durability. It has the highest hardness rating of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale and is the hardest known mineral. This high hardness makes the diamond resistant to scratches and wear from most substances, maintaining its original shine and beauty even under extreme conditions of use. In addition, the chemical properties of diamonds are also very stable, and they are not easily soluble in acids and bases at room temperature, which further enhances their durability.

The durability of diamonds is also reflected in their optical properties. The facet of polished diamond can reflect the light as a mirror, producing a bright and dazzling light, the so-called "fire color". This optical property remains stable through long-term use and wear, making the diamond always retain its unique charm.

Hardness and durability of moissanite

Compared with diamonds, moissanite is less durable. Although moissanite is also a very hard substance, with a hardness of 9.25 (second only to diamond), this value is still lower than diamond. Therefore, in the process of long-term use and wear, Moissanite may be more susceptible to scratches and wear, which affects its luster and beauty.

However, it is worth noting that moissanite still has a relatively high durability. As an artificial gemstone, moissanite performs well in terms of stability and does not tarnish or fade as easily as some natural gemstones due to environmental changes. In addition, moissanite also has optical properties similar to diamonds, which can produce a dazzling fire color, which makes it highly attractive visually.

Production

Diamonds and moissanite are produced differently with distinct chemical compositions. Here are the differences:

Composition: Diamonds are made of pure carbon, forming in the earth's mantle over millions of years. Moissanite is composed of silicon carbide (SiC) with trace elements.

These differences in chemical composition accounts for variations in their physical and optical properties, along with crystal structure. Although moissanite and diamond may look very much alike at first glance to the untrained eye, they aren’t upon evaluation.

Moissanite vs. diamond colour?

Diamond colour is graded on a scale ranging from D (colourless) to Z (visible tint), and this grade can play a big role in how a diamond is priced. The closer the stone is to being colourless the more value it has. Conversely, moissanites are not categorized by colour. In fact, they often show yellow, green or grayish tints in certain lighting. If one were to try and measure a moissanite on the GIA colour scale mentioned above, it is often compared to the K grade (a category with a faint tint).

Certification: Diamonds are certified by independent third party labs and are graded by the 4Cs, color, clarity, cut, and carat. Moissanite is generally not graded by an independent lab although some vendors may issue their own evaluations.

Brilliance and Fire

When you're looking at a diamond, you'll notice both brilliance (white flashes) and fire (colored flashes). Moissanite also shows both, but typically has more fire than diamond. So, moissanite tends to have more colored flashes of light than diamond.

However, this depends partly on the diamond cut. Diamonds with older cut styles or modern cuts with certain angles will show more fire than most modern diamonds. This can make it difficult to tell the difference between the two.

Distinguishing moissanites and diamonds based on brilliance and fire isn't reliable, but it's easier to see at larger sizes. Even so, unless you have experience in the jewelry industry, you won't be able to tell the difference just based on appearance.

How to Tell the Difference Between Moissanite vs Diamond

Distinguishing between moissanite and diamond won’t be obvious to the untrained eye, as both gemstones share similar visual characteristics. Some factors that experts consider to identify the differences between moissanite vs real diamond include:

• Brilliance and Fire: Moissanite tends to display more colorful flashes of light, known as fire, compared to diamonds.
• Color: While both moissanite and diamonds can appear colorless, some moissanite pieces may have subtle hues of yellow or green under certain lighting conditions, especially in larger stones. However, only extremely rare and expensive diamonds are truly colorless.
• Double Refraction: Moissanite has a higher double refractive index than diamonds, meaning it can sometimes appear double-faceted when viewed through certain angles.
• Lab Testing: For a definitive identification, gemologists can use specialized equipment like a thermal conductivity tester or a diamond tester to differentiate between moissanite and diamonds.
• Brilliance：Moissanite tends to refract light more than diamond, producing a stronger level of brilliance. In simplistic terms, this means that a moissanite will usually appear sparklier than a diamond of similar cut and size.
• Electricity conduction：This isn’t something you can easily check by eye, but diamond and moissanite conduct heat and electricity differently. Some diamond testing tools use electricity to detect whether a stone is a real diamond or a different type of gemstone.

GIA, the world’s leading diamond grading laboratory published an article about how some people tend to cheat the system and sell moissanites as diamonds.  Luckily for consumers, they usually get caught pretty quickly.  

Conclusion

The allure of diamonds has been undeniable for centuries. However, the modern consumer, informed and conscious, is veering towards moissanite. Its dazzling brilliance, combined with its ethical and environmental benefits, positions it as the gemstone for the future. As we embrace this shift, it's evident that moissanite is not just a passing trend but a revolution in the jewelry industry.