What Is Moissanite?
Moissanite is an exquisitely beautiful gemstone, and is an excellent choice for an affordable engagement ring. It’s nearly as hard as diamond and will last a lifetime, guaranteed. With more fire and brilliance than a diamond, it’s an eye-catching center stone that will light up a room.
The Science Behind the Sparkle
Moissanite is one of the most beautiful gemstones in the world
Many see more sparkle, fire and brightness from a moissanite than from a diamond.
- Moissanite is more brilliant than a diamond on the Brilliance Refractive Index (which measures a gem’s sparkle).
- Moissanite has a greater dispersion and iridescence (commonly referred to as “fire”) than a diamond.
- Moissanite has double the brightness of a diamond: It’s twice as refractive as a diamond. Refractivity is how many times light is “bent” when it passes through a gemstone.
Discovered first in a meteor crater
Now a lab-created stunner
The naturally occurring mineral moissanite was discovered by Henri Moissan while examining rock samples from a meteor crater located in Canyon Diablo, Arizona. Henri mistakenly identified moissanite as a diamond, but later he correctly identified the crystals as silicon carbide. This mineral form of silicon carbide was named “Moissanite” in honor of Henri, later on in his life.
While moissanite is a naturally occurring material, it is incredibly rare to find. In 1998, the lab creation of moissanite was perfected through a sophisticated, scientific process and then offered widely to the consumer market.
Exceptional Quality
An affordable, durable, and eco-conscious alternative to a mined diamond
The moissanite gemstones we offer are exclusively lab created. Moissanite gemstones are colorless (graded D, E, or F), of high clarity (VS1 or better), and are manufactured to an Excellent Cut, Polish and Symmetry.
- Moissanite is extremely durable and can be set and finished into all types of fine jewelry.
- Moissanite ranks on the Mohs hardness scale at 9.25 or better.
- Moissanite is less susceptible to cracking and chipping than a diamond as it has greater tensile strength and is less brittle than diamond.
Moissanite and the 4Cs
Moissanite is graded on the 4Cs just like diamonds are!
Our moissanites are near colorless and all graded D-F. Diamonds are graded on a color scale of D-Z with D being colorless and Z being very yellow.
All of our moissanites are manufactured to have an excellent cut. Cut grade refers to how a stone’s facets interact with light, and diamonds are graded on a scale that ranges from ideal and excellent cuts to good and poor cuts.
Our moissanites are all graded VS1 (very slightly included) or better. A stone’s clarity is the measurement of inclusions and visual blemishes in the stone. Clarity measurements range from Flawless to Included. VS1 stones do not have inclusions that are easily visible with the naked eye.
Our moissanites are available in a variety of carat weights and are much more affordable than a mined diamond. They generally cost about $700 per carat.
Compare Moissanite to a Diamond
Moissanite
Diamond
Stone Type
Gemstone
Diamond
Origin
Created in a lab
Origin varies: Mined or lab grown
Light Dispersion
0.104
More than twice the fire of a diamond, thus incredibly sparkly.
0.044
Brilliance Refractive Index (RI)
2.65-2.69
More fire and brilliance than a diamond.
2.41
Composition
Silicon Carbide
Carbon
Durability
9.25 on Mohs Scale | Second hardest to a diamond
10 on Mohs Scale | The most durable gemstone
Color
Ranges from D – K. Generally colorless, but large stones can project a yellow hue.
Ranges from D – Z with D being colorless and Z being very yellow.
Financial Cost
Up to 90% less than mined diamonds
Lab grown diamonds are up to 70% less than mined diamonds
Environmental Cost
No mining involved as it’s created in a lab. Natural moissanite is incredibly rare.
Mined diamonds cause earth displacement, acid drainage, and habitat destruction.
Moissanite
Stone Type
Gemstone
Origin
Created in a lab
Light Dispersion
0.104
More than twice the fire of a diamond, thus incredibly sparkly.
Brilliance Refractive Index (RI)
2.65-2.69
More fire and brilliance than a diamond.
Composition
Silicon Carbide
Durability
9.25 on Mohs Scale | Second hardest to a diamond
Color
Ranges from D – K. Generally colorless, but large stones can project a yellow hue.
Financial Cost
Up to 90% less than mined diamonds
Environmental Cost
No mining involved as it’s created in a lab. Natural moissanite is incredibly rare.
Diamond
Stone Type
Diamond
Origin
Origin varies: Mined or lab grown
Light Dispersion
0.044
Brilliance Refractive Index (RI)
2.41
Composition
Carbon
Durability
10 on Mohs Scale | The most durable gemstone
Color
Ranges from D – Z with D being colorless and Z being very yellow.
Financial Cost
Lab grown diamonds are up to 70% less than mined diamonds
Environmental Cost
Mined diamonds cause earth displacement, acid drainage, and habitat destruction.
Commonly Asked Questions
Yes. Just like diamonds, moissanite is graded for color, clarity, cut, polish and symmetry. Our moissanites are considered top gem quality as they are colorless (D-E-F), high clarity (VS1 or better) and have excellent cut, polish and symmetry.
Yes, with a hardness of 9.25 or greater on the Mohs scale, moissanite is very durable and suitable for all types of fine jewelry.
No. A moissanite will retain its beauty and sparkle for a lifetime.
No, moissanite is a gemstone in a class to itself composed of silicon carbide. It is commonly considered a diamond simulant and is a beautiful and affordable alternative to a diamond.
No worries! Just call our Design Consultants at 800.509.4990 or email us at customercare@diamondnexus.com. Our team of consultants will work with you to add moissanite to just about any of our product offerings.
Yes! We offer a unique and industry leading Lifetime Trade Up program. We also offer a one-of-a-kind, curated Level Up program experience through our sister company.
Both are great choices! We specifically created our patented Nexus Diamond™ alternative gemstone to perform like a diamond. So, if you’re looking for a top-level diamond simulant option, our alternative gemstone is for you. Moissanite differs somewhat from a diamond’s optical performance with added brilliance and fire. While a moissanite performs a bit differently than a diamond, it’s very stunning and also a great choice.
You may clean your moissanite gemstones and jewelry just as you would clean diamond fine jewelry such as using an ultrasonic or steamer. We suggest cleaning your jewelry with a soft bristle toothbrush and non-abrasive, mild soap. Simply brush your jewelry until clean like you brush your teeth and then air dry. For jewelry with substantial residue build up, repeat the cleaning process two to three times.