With the rarity and expensive nature of diamonds, people have been seeking for gemstones options that look like diamonds. Fortunately, there are two excellent diamond alternatives – moissanite and cubic zirconia (CZ). Both stones mimic the appearance of diamonds, making them suitable for engagement rings and fine jewelry.
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However, they differ significantly in various ways, such as durability, brilliance, color, and cost. This post delves into the moissanite vs cubic zirconia debate, examining their features to help you make an informed decision on your next jewelry purchase.
What is Moissanite?
Moissanite is a crystalline substance that’s composed of “silicon carbide.” It’s a very rare stone that can’t be found in large quantities (in a place) enough to make up a proper gemstone. This stone boats of exceptional durability and brilliance, which is one the major highlights of the moissanite vs diamond comparison.
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Key Characteristics of Moissanite
- Hardness: With a rating of 9.25 on the Mohs scale, moissanite hardness is next to diamond, making it ideal for everyday wear.
- Brilliance and Fire: It has a higher refractive index (2.65-2.69) than diamonds (2.42), resulting in more vibrant light dispersion and beautiful flashes of color.
Where is Moissanite Found?
It will interest you to know that moissanite wasn’t discovered under the ground like other gemstones. Instead, it was first discovered by Dr. Henri Moissan in the late 1800s within a crater in Arizona. Nowadays, there are natural and lab-grown moissanite.
- Natural Moissanite: These gemstones are often seen within craters (which are not created everyday). Natural gemstones are very uncommon. Even the first natural moissanite jewelry did not hit the market until the late 1990s.
- Lab-grown Moissanite: These are synthetic moissanite made in laboratories by experts using the same “silicon carbide” that makes up its natural counterpart. While lab-grown moissanite may lack the brilliance and fire of natural moissanite, they share the same hardness.
Pros and Cons of Moissanite
Pros
- Cost-effective: Moissanite is cheaper than diamonds, so it’s a better option if you’re on a budget.
- Durability: It can withstand scratches and chips, making it ideal for daily wear.
- Eco-friendly: Most of the moissanite on the market are lab-grown, thereby enhancing sustainable jewelry manufacturing.
Cons
- Price: Although moissanite is cheaper than diamonds, it is priced around $600 per carat, which is more expensive than cubic zirconia.
What is Cubic Zirconia?
Cubic zirconia (CZ) is also a cheaper diamond alternative. It’s made of “zirconium dioxide” and has been on the market since the 1970s. This gemstone is widely integrated in affordable jewelry because of its diamond-like clarity and cost-friendliness.
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Key Characteristics of Cubic Zirconia
- Hardness: Cubic zirconia is rated high on the Mohs scale, with an 8-8.5 mark.
- Brilliance: CZ boasts of a high refractive index, ranging from 2.15 to 2.18.
Pros and Cons of Cubic Zirconia
Pros
- Low Cost: Cubic zirconia is one of the affordable gemstones that can be used in place of diamonds. It’s often priced below $50 per carat.
- Similar Appearance: CZ looks so much like diamonds that it can sometimes only be identified by experts or specialized tools.
Cons
- Prone to Wear: Cubic zirconia is not as strong as moissanite or diamonds, and it’s susceptible to wear over a long time.
- Poor Transparency: Even though CZ is quite transparent, but does not have much clarity as moissanite or diamonds.
Moissanite vs Cubic Zirconia: Key Differences
While both moissanite and cubic zirconia are popular diamond alternatives, they differ in various ways. Below, we break down the key difference between moissanite and cubic zirconia.
Durability and Hardness
Moissanite: Second only to diamonds on the Mohs scale, with a 9.25 rating. It’s highly scratch-resistant and maintains its clarity & polish over decades. Thus, best for everyday wear.
Cubic Zirconia: Has an 8-8.25 rating on the Mohs scale. It’s softer and prone to scratches, cloudiness, and wear over time. Thus, best for occasional use.
Brilliance and Fire
Moissanite: Has a higher refractive index (2.65-2.69), creating intense fire and rainbow-like sparkle. This results in a unique, lively brilliance under light.
Cubic Zirconia: Has a lower refractive index (2.15-2.18), creating a less fiery, softer, and more subdued sparkle that can appear slightly “glassy.”
Color and Clarity
Moissanite: Natural moissanite are colorless or near-colorless (graded D-K on the diamond color scale), but may show faint yellow or green tints in some lighting. But lab-grown moissanite has excellent clarity with little impurities.
Cubic Zirconia: CZ is often colorless (graded D), just like high-quality diamonds. But they develop cloudiness and scratches over time because of their softness.
Cost and Value
Moissanite: How expensive is moissanite? This lab-grown gemstone is priced at $200- $600 per carat, which is around 20% of a diamond’s cost. Moissanite is more expensive than CZ, but more valuable.
Cubic Zirconia: Extremely affordable (usually below $50 per carat). While it does not hold much value as moissanite, its low cost makes it ideal for trendy or temporary jewelry.
Which is Better: Moissanite or Cubic Zirconia?
After examining the differences between both stones, is moissanite better than cubic zirconia? The answer depends on the purpose of the gemstone and your budget.
If you need a diamond alternative for its durability, hardness, brilliance, fire, color, or clarity, moissanite is the better option. But if you need an affordable diamond replica or need an option for a temporary purpose, cubic zirconia is the better choice.
How to Tell Moissanite from Cubic Zirconia?
Can you tell moissanite from cubic zirconia through naked eyes? It is possible to tell them apart for preliminary information. But for more accurate results, you need professional equipment.
Here are several ways to identify a moissanite from cubic zirconia:
1. Fire Dispersion Difference
A glaring indicator that will help you differentiate moissanite vs cubic zirconia is their fire dispersion. Moissanite has an extremely strong fire, displaying rainbow-colored flashes that are evenly distributed. This is especially noticeable under artificial light or sunlight. It even surpasses the brilliance of diamonds.
Cubic zirconia, on the other hand, has a weaker fire, with a color that tends to be more white and unnatural. It reflects light rather than refracts it, resulting in an overall less vivid sparkle.
2. Price
Moissanite vs cubic zirconia price can also be used as a difference indicator. Moissanite stones are more expensive ($200 – $600 per carat). However, they offer long-term value thanks to their hardness and durability.
Cubic zirconia stones are cheaper (below $50 per carat), but may require frequent replacement because they are softer.
3. Moissanite Tester
Finally, you can differentiate cubic zirconia vs moissanite by using some specialized devices that will examine their physical properties. Some of these devices are:
- Thermal Conductivity Tester: Measures the hardness of a stone and how quickly it conducts heat.
- Spectroscope: Analyzes light absorption efficiency.
- Microscope: Inspects gemstones internal features and facet edges.
Things to Consider When Choosing between Moissanite and Cubic Zirconia
The best choice between moissanite and cubic zirconia varies amongst different individuals. While moissanite might be better for some people, cubic zirconia is the preferred option for others.
Generally, here are the things to consider when choosing:
- Target Market
If your brand is targeted at the high-end and luxury market, the better option is moissanite. But if your business is focused on fashion jewelry consumers and people who like to tap into trendy accessories, choose cubic zirconia.
- Product Offerings
Moissanite is the closest to diamonds, making it the most suitable for every purpose diamonds are used for. They can be used for engagement rings and integrated into fine jewelry collections. Cubic zirconia, on the other hand, are best utilized in fashion-forward designs and trend-based collections.
- Budget
If you have a tight budget, cubic zirconia is the preferred option because it’s cheaper. But if you are not restricted by budget, you can venture into moissanite.
FAQs
Is Moissanite a Real Diamond?
No, moissanite is not a real diamond. However, it’s a highly-rated diamond alternative and it is next to diamonds on the Mohs scale.
Is Cubic Zirconia a Real Diamond?
No, cubic zirconia is not a real diamond. However, it might be identified as diamonds by some people because they have similar appearance.
Is Moissanite the Same as Cubic Zirconia?
No, moissanite is not the same as cubic zirconia. But they are both diamond alternatives, sharing the same look as diamonds. However, moissanite is rated higher than cubic zirconia.
Are Moissanite and Lab-grown Diamonds the Same?
No, they are not the same. While both are made in the laboratory, lab-grown diamonds are formed under the same conditions as natural diamonds. Moissanite has a different gemstone formation.
Which Looks More Real: CZ or Moissanite?
Moissanite looks more real than cubic zirconia. It has a 9.25 Mohs scale rating, which is second to diamonds. Also, it offers more attractive brilliance and fire.
Key Takeaway
Moissanite and cubic zirconia are common gemstones that can be used in place of diamonds. While they mimic diamond’s appearance, they are different. In this post, we’ve compared moissanite vs cubic zirconia, highlighted their differences, and mentioned the better option. To get high-quality moissanite or cubic zirconia, it’s essential that you contact a sustainable jewelry manufacturer that can meet your requirements.
