Moissanite vs. Lab Diamond vs. Cubic Zirconia: How to Tell the Difference

Feature	Moissanite	Lab Diamond	Cubic Zirconia
Composition	Silicon Carbide (SiC)	Carbon	Zirconium Dioxide (ZrO2)
Hardness (Mohs Scale)	9.25	10	8 - 8.5
Brilliance (Refractive Index)	2.65	2.42	2.15 - 2.18
Fire (Dispersion)	Higher (0.104)	Lower (0.044)	Moderate (0.058 - 0.066)
Color	Near-colorless to slightly tinted	Colorless (D-F)	Usually colorless (D)
Price Range	Moderate	Higher than Moissanite	Lowest
Durability	Very durable	Extremely durable	Less durable, may scratch easily
Sustainability	Ethical and lab-created	Ethical and lab-grown	Minimal environmental impact
Resale Value	Moderate	High	Low
Typical Uses	Fine jewelry	Fine jewelry	Fashion jewelry

While diamonds undoubtedly add sparkle to any piece of jewelry, they're not the only option for stunning jewelry. You can get alternatives that shimmer and shine at different price points, like cubic zirconia, lab-grown diamonds, or moissanite. To ensure you can confidently choose the ideal gemstone that suits your taste and budget, this article delves into their main distinctions.

What is Moissanite, Lab Diamond, and Cubic Zirconia, Respectively?

Before going into the distinctions, we need to have a good grasp on the definitions of these gemstones.

Moissanite

In 1893, the French scientist Henri Moissan was the first to find moissanite. It is a gemstone composed of silicon carbide (SiC). Natural moissanite is incredibly rare, found only in trace amounts in meteorites. Since it is so rare that most of it is lab-created, it contributes Moissanite to be a sustainable and ethical gemstone option. The unparalleled fire, luster, and brilliance of Moissanite set it apart from all other jewels.

Lab Diamonds

Lab diamonds, also known as synthetic diamonds or cultured diamonds, are genuine gems that are grown in controlled conditions with cutting-edge technology. They are physically and chemically identical to real diamonds, rendering them indistinguishable to the naked eye. Two main methods, Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT), are used to create lab diamonds. Their ethical source, reduced environmental impact, and affordability make them a popular alternative to natural diamonds.

Cubic Zirconia

Cubic zirconia (CZ) is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2). This synthesized substance is often colorless and hard. There is not a single cubic zirconia stone available today that is not man-made. A complex procedure known as skull melting is used to create it. Costume jewelry and fashion pieces often use it because of its inexpensive cost and widespread availability, even though it doesn't have the same durability and brightness as Moissanite and lab diamonds.

Due to their individual qualities, these three jewels represent a wide range of tastes and price points.

Moissanite vs. Lab Diamond vs. Cubic Zirconia: A Side-By-Side Comparison

Having covered the groundwork, let's examine the distinctions between moissanite, lab-grown diamonds, and cubic zirconia. You can better make your decision based on your priorities and preferences if you have a good grasp of these differences.

What Are They Made Of?

The material composition is where the difference is most noticeable. Just like natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are composed entirely of carbon. Zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) is the main component in cubic zirconia, whereas Moissanite is composed of silicon carbide (SiC). Their look and characteristics are affected by these different components.

How Durable Are They?

A gemstone's hardness indicates how well it withstands scratches. This is evaluated using the Mohs scale. With a perfect 10 on the hardness scale, lab-grown diamonds are the hardest and most resistant to scratches. Moissanite is next behind with a 9.25, providing great durability for daily wear. Cubic zirconia has a hardness range of 8 to 8.5, which is softer and more prone to scratching over time.

How Much Do They Sparkle?

Brilliance refers to the amount of light reflected from within a gemstone, giving it a sparkle. Compared to lab-grown diamonds (refractive index: 2.42) and cubic zirconia (refractive index: 2.15-2.18), moissanite's refractive index is higher at 2.65. Because of this, moissanite is more rilliant than diamonds and often has a more vivid, rainbow-like sheen.

How About the Colorful Sparkle?

The gemstone's fire, or dispersion, is its capacity to divide white light into its spectrum colors, resulting in flashes of colorful sparkle. Moissanite boasts greater dispersion (0.104) than diamond (0.044) and cubic zirconia (0.058-0.066). This makes the color flashes in moissanite more noticeable and vibrant, giving it what is known as a "rainbow effect."

What Colors Do They Display?

A color scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown) is used to grade both natural and lab-grown diamonds. It is possible to get colorless lab diamonds (D-F) of high quality. The color of moissanite can vary from almost colorless to a shade of gray to yellow. In some lighting settings, high-quality moissanite may appear slightly tinted, while it otherwise appears nearly colorless. Cubic zirconia is often entirely colorless, which is equivalent to a flawless "D" on the diamond color grading system. But this could occasionally make it appear less realistic.

Which Is Most Budget-Friendly?

For many buyers, price is an important consideration. Cubic zirconia is the most affordable option, followed by moissanite. Lab-grown diamonds are still far more economical than their natural counterparts of the same carat weight and cut, even while they're not as cheap as moissanite.

Where Do They Come From?

Many people believe that lab-grown diamonds are better for the environment and society than mined diamonds. They lessen mining's effect on the environment and reduce worries about conflict diamonds. Another ethical option is moissanite, which is also made in lab environment nowadays. Cubic zirconia has a negligible effect on the environment because it is so easy to manufacture.

In the Long Run, How Will They Appear?

The fire and brightness of lab-grown diamonds, like those natural ones, do not fade with time. Moissanite is highly durable and maintains its sparkle and color over time. Cubic zirconia is less durable, and has the potential to become hazy and scrape easily with everyday wear, which could impair its brightness over time.

Moissanite, Lab Diamond, or Cubic Zirconia: Practical Tips to Spot the Difference

There are several ways to tell moissanite, lab-grown diamonds, and cubic zirconia apart, even though they all look similar to the untrained eye.

Visual Inspection

A close visual inspection can show small differences in how things sparkle and look.

• Moissanite has a stronger, rainbow-like sparkle because of its higher dispersion.
• On the other hand, cubic zirconia has a more subdued sparkle that can look less vivid.
• Like natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds display a balanced brilliance and fire.

You might not be able to tell the difference between moissanite and diamonds with the naked eye. At the beginning glance, they both look clear and colorless. However, moissanite has a higher refractive index (2.65), while diamonds' is 2.42. This means that moissanite shines brighter and reflects light more easily than diamonds, resulting in a sparkle that looks like a rainbow.

Weight Test

Cubic zirconia is denser than both moissanite and lab-grown diamonds, which means that the same-sized pieces will feel much heavier. Without specialized scales, you won't be able to get an exact reading on the weight, but you can usually feel the difference in hand.

Hardness Test

Because diamonds are the hardest known material, they are very hard to scratch. Cubic zirconia is softer and more likely to get scratched, while moissanite is very hard and doesn't scratch easily. But a scratch test can hurt the jewel, so it's best to let a professional do it.

Diamond Tester

Most diamond testers can tell the difference between moissanite, diamonds, and cubic zirconia. It's important to use a tester that checks for both thermal and electrical conductivity, though. Because moissanite also has a very high thermal conductivity, diamond tests that only check for thermal conductivity might mistake it for a diamond. A moissanite tester will tell them apart.

Gemologist Consultation

Asking a qualified gemologist may be the most reliable way to identify gemstones. Gemologists have special equipment that lets them test properties like thermal conductivity, refractive index, and more, which helps them make accurate identifications.

FAQs About Moissanite, Lab Diamonds, and Cubic Zirconia

Q: Lab-grown diamonds vs. cubic zirconia: which is more sustainable?

Compared to mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds and cubic zirconia are environmentally friendly. Lab-grown diamonds are durable and won't need to be replaced as often, making them a more sustainable option in the long run.

Q: Why is Moissanite better than Cubic Zirconia over the long term?

Choosing Moissanite over Cubic Zirconia has long-term benefits. Moissanite will last longer and withstand scratches, making it excellent for daily use. Its brilliance and fire last longer, keeping the stone beautiful throughout time. Although Cubic Zirconia is cheaper, it may require replacement sooner due to wear and tear.

Q: How does the resale value differ between Lab Diamonds and Cubic Zirconia?

Lab Diamonds generally have a higher resale value than Cubic Zirconia. Since lab diamonds are real diamonds with the same qualities as natural diamonds, they are valuable in the secondhand market. Cubic Zirconia, a synthetic gemstone, is more a fashion item rather than an investment, has little to no resale value.