Why is a diamond more expensive than Moissanite?
Buying jewelry with a precious stone often confuses many people. If we talk about diamonds, laboratory diamonds and moissanites, it is almost impossible to see the difference between these three stones with the naked eye. However, there is a difference, and it is quite significant. Visually, these jewelry are very similar to each other, but if you find out about their origin, value and other factors, you will never again call moissanite a diamond and vice versa. We asked a gemologist from the PIERRE Jewelery team to help our readers.
Moissanite – what a wonderful stone?
- Color. Moissanite is considered a colorless stone. When lit in a laboratory, it can appear gray and yellow.
- Shine. The intensity of a gemstone’s brilliance depends on the mineral’s ability to reflect light. Moissanite shines with rainbow flashes in sunlight.
- Strength. The Mohs scale helps determine the relative hardness of a gemstone. The durability of moissanite is very high, which indicates its suitability for everyday wear and long service.
- Price. Be that as it may, moissanite is significantly cheaper than diamond. If you are thinking about purchasing this stone, it is important to know and remember that in the long run, moissanite will cost little and will always be inferior in value to a diamond.
- Carat value of moissanite. This parameter is measured in millimeters. Round moissanite 6,5 mm = 1 carat diamond.
Diamonds and lab-grown diamonds
It is almost impossible to distinguish a natural diamond from a laboratory-produced diamond without having specially designed devices at hand. Despite this, the gemstone of choice will always be the naturally occurring diamond, which takes billions of years to form in the earth. Buyers who prioritize “environmental friendliness” and affordability opt for laboratory diamonds, which are made by humans in about one month.
Comparison of the main characteristics of diamonds (natural and laboratory):
- Compound. Identical for the two types of stone, it is basically carbon.
- Color. A natural gemstone does not have gray or yellow tones. The arsenal of natural diamond colors includes more than 23 shades of white and more than 100 shades of fancy (fancy colored diamonds). Stones created in a laboratory cannot be distinguished by color without special laboratory equipment.
- Shine. One of the unique features of a natural diamond is that it refracts and scatters less light than a man-made diamond or moissanite. A diamond has a unique sparkle with flashes of color, but often a natural stone simply reflects white light.
- Hardness. The durability and strength of natural and laboratory stones are identical, their hardness is 10 out of 10 on the Mohs scale.
- Price. Laboratory stones do not have such value and cost an order of magnitude less compared to natural diamonds. Jewelry that is mined from the depths of the earth can be passed down from generation to generation, as a family heirloom or an investment instrument, because these are stones with their own history. However, many people, especially young couples, prefer lab-grown diamonds as they are more affordable.
Real diamonds, regardless of their origin, always come with a certificate. Therefore, you should always buy jewelry only with certificates to be sure of the authenticity and quality of the stone.
Fundamental Differences Between Moissanite, Diamond and Lab Diamond
If we compare the cost of precious stones: moissanite, diamond and laboratory diamond – the first is much cheaper, its price is several times less than the cost of the second and third options. A natural diamond is rare, expensive and more valuable, and is preferable if money is no object. However, moissanite is also not bad. It turns out that this is just a matter of personal choice and your preferences.
As for moissanite and lab diamond, both gemstones are lab-made, beautiful, affordable, and “eco-friendly.” Laboratory diamonds are chemically and structurally identical to natural diamonds. Moissanite is made mainly from silicon carbide, since the only raw material is a fallen meteorite, which is rare. Moissanite also has a high level of light refraction, which means it reflects more colors than other gemstones (in our case, diamonds).
Thus, moissanite is a durable, affordable and brilliant alternative to diamond for buyers of engagement rings and other jewelry.
PIERRE Jewelery team – Pierre Russia LLC, OGRN: 1167746566570, legal address: 121059 Moscow, st. Bryanskaya, 5, fl. 7, room 1, room 5
For many people, purchasing a diamond engagement ring often means making difficult choices between moissanite vs diamond and moissanite vs lab diamond. The reason for this is not far-fetched considering the fact that these 3 gemstones are similar in appearance to each other. With the naked eye it is almost impossible to distinguish a diamond from a laboratory diamond and moissanite.
While diamond is the most expensive, lab diamond and moissanite are next in line. In addition to this, diamond is the only natural gemstone of the three, moissanite and lab diamonds are man-made (although some moissanite is cut from a real meteorite).
Many jewelry lovers are unable to identify these beautiful gemstones, so it is important to study them. In this guide, we will discuss in detail the differences between moissanite, diamond, and lab diamond. We’ll first describe each gemstone individually and then expand this guide with more information on how to buy a beautiful engagement ring that suits your taste, budget, and bridal expectations.
Moissanite
Of three stones Moissanite is the most affordable option. and has become very popular as an alternative to diamonds. Many buyers are always so interested in moissanite rings and diamond prices because of how physically similar the two stones are. In every way, moissanite looks just like diamond. Interestingly, Moissanite was originally not of this world, but came from a meteorite from outer space. Made from silicon carbide compounds, man has been able to reproduce moissanite in the laboratory.
Moissanite is the perfect alternative to diamond, which has been created in a laboratory to make it flawless and brilliant in every way. The best thing is that it is affordable and easy to purchase compared to diamond. Some moissanites have different colors when viewed under different lights.
Moissanite is on average shinier than diamond due to its higher fire resistance level of 0.104 versus diamond’s 0.044. This simply means that moissanite bends light more than diamond. If you want to own a sparkling stone, the moissanite vs diamond debate is something you need to explore in detail before making your final decision.
Compared to diamond, moissanite is very close to it and has a hardness of 9.25 on the Mohs scale. It is inferior in hardness to diamond. which means you can be sure that your moissanite ring will last a long time.
In size, a 1 carat moissanite is larger than a 1 carat diamond, but in terms of weight, the diamond is approximately 15% heavier. Diamonds still have the edge for several reasons, as you’ll learn later in this guide.
If you have a penchant for moissanite and want to explore sophisticated options, you can check out Sateur’s moissanite collection here.
Diamond
Diamonds are natural gemstones that have formed in the earth over billions of years. Although it has the same symbols as man-made or lab-made diamonds, people usually choose it if they have a choice.
No one can tell a natural diamond from a lab-made diamond with the naked eye. The differences can only be seen with equipment specially designed for this purpose. Whether you compare moissanite to diamond or diamond to lab diamond or moissanite to lab diamond, the best gemstone is still the diamond.
This beautiful, desirable and valuable gemstone is so rare that it can serve as an investment tool or a family heirloom passed down from generation to generation. Diamond has a hardness of 10, making it the hardest substance on Earth. This feature also makes it extremely durable and durable for everyday wear and use.
In terms of brilliance, diamond is less refractive and scatters less color than lab diamond and moissanite. In fact, this feature is one of the unique features of a diamond that sets it apart from the other two gemstones. Diamonds often come with a certificate, so we recommend purchasing GIA or IGI certified diamonds to get the best quality possible.
No matter how large diamonds are, their price is quite high, so it is important to plan your budget accordingly. If you are on a smaller budget, consider purchasing lower carat diamonds as you will get similar value from them. You can also check and compare lab-grown diamonds, moissanite rings, and diamond prices before making your final decision.
Laboratory-Diamond
A lab diamond is a diamond that a person usually makes in a month. Unlike natural diamonds, lab-diamond is environmentally friendly, durable and costs about 50% less. If you want to own a diamond without spending too much money on it, lab-diamond is a great choice. Obviously, both diamond and lab diamond are exactly the same as it would require special equipment to tell the difference, if any.
Many young couples prefer laboratory diamonds. because it is more affordable, but those who have the means will always choose diamond. From an investment perspective, lab-grown diamonds are a clear choice because they are not rare and do not have the same value as naturally occurring diamonds with a history.
Lab diamonds are classified according to 4 parameters: color, carat, cut and clarity. The cost range depends entirely on the shape, cut, color and clarity of the lab diamond.
For those looking for the perfect combination of quality and affordability, Sateur offers high-quality lab-grown diamonds, each accompanied by an IGI certificate confirming their authenticity and perfection. Sateur is able to offer these diamonds at an affordable price by producing them in-house, thereby eliminating markups and middleman fees, giving customers the unique opportunity to own fine diamonds without compromising on quality or ethical standards.
Key Differences Between Moissanite, Diamond and Lab Diamond
When it comes to moissanite vs diamond, the first one is much more accessible, since it costs 10% or less of the diamond’s value. It also has a high refractive index, which means it reflects more colors than other gemstones. Diamond is rare, expensive and generally of great value. If money is no object, a diamond will always be preferable. However, moissanite is also not bad. It’s a matter of choosing between moissanite rings and the cost of diamonds.
When comparing moissanite and lab diamond, the differences are similar to the differences between moissanite and diamond. Both gemstones are lab-made, gorgeous, affordable, and do not require destructive mining like diamonds. Lab diamonds are chemically and structurally similar to diamonds. Moissanite is primarily made in a laboratory from silicon carbide, as the only original resource material is a fallen meteorite, which is obviously rare. Moissanite is a durable, affordable and brilliant alternative to diamonds for engagement ring buyers.
If you’re interested in exploring these eco-friendly and stunning alternatives, click here to check out the Sater Lab Diamond Collection or here the Moissanite Collection and discover an exquisite selection of options to suit every style and budget.
Conclusion
Finding the perfect engagement ring can be very difficult, especially if you have multiple factors to consider, but it doesn’t have to be. We’ve simplified the process for you, allowing you to easily and stress-free choose a gemstone that suits your taste and budget.
Moreover, if you are looking for the highest quality lab diamond at the most affordable price, we highly recommend 1 Carat Satéur Destinée Diamond Ring™. It comes with an IGI certificate confirming its quality and authenticity. There is currently a limited time offer available for new customers to purchase this exquisite piece for just $1098 (originally $2098), saving you $1000. Don’t miss the opportunity to purchase a premium quality diamond ring at an unbeatable price; check it out here.
