Moissanite vs. Diamond: Which is the Best Stone for Your Engagement Ring

Choosing between diamond vs Moissanite can feel like navigating a maze of sparkle, science, and sentiment. If you’re shopping for an engagement ring, a special gift, or timeless jewelry, you’ll want to understand both options deeply.

In this post, we’ll compare diamonds (both natural and lab-grown) with Moissanite across multiple dimensions, including durability, brilliance, cost, and more, and then spotlight how Solomon & Co. offers exceptional choices in all three categories: natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, and Moissanite. By the end, you’ll be well equipped to decide and see why Solomon & Co could be your perfect choice.

What is a Diamond?

A diamond is a crystal form of carbon arranged in a cubic lattice structure. Under extreme heat and pressure deep in the Earth’s mantle over millions of years, carbon atoms bond to form these ultra-hard gemstones.

Key properties:

• Hardness: Diamond ranks 10 on the Mohs scale, the highest possible, meaning it’s extremely wear-resistant.
• Brilliance & light performance: Diamonds have a high refractive index (about 2.42), which causes strong light return and “life” in the stone.
• Rarity & prestige: Natural diamonds are rare, especially in very high clarity or color grades. Their rarity adds to their allure.
• Value retention: Natural diamonds tend to hold value, especially when certified and well cut.

Natural diamonds form over billions of years under Earth’s crust, brought nearer to the surface by volcanic activity. Because of their natural origin, mining ethics, supply control, and environmental impacts are important purchasing considerations.

What is Moissanite?

Moissanite is a gemstone made of silicon carbide (SiC). It was first discovered in a meteor crater by Henri Moissan in 1893, hence the name. Naturally occurring Moissanite is extremely rare, so nearly all Moissanite used in jewelry is lab-created.

Key properties:

• Brilliance & fire: Moissanite is known for its fiery sparkle due to its high refractive index (≈2.65–2.69), often exhibiting more “rainbow flashes” than diamonds.
• Hardness: It ranks about 9.25 on the Mohs scale, still very durable, but slightly less hard than diamond.
• Durability: Good for everyday wear, but more susceptible to scratches than diamond in extreme conditions.
• Affordability: Moissanite is much less expensive per carat than diamonds, making it attractive for budget-conscious buyers.
• Ethical & environmental advantage: Since it’s lab-produced, Moissanite avoids many of the mining and conflict concerns associated with natural diamonds.

Over the years, advanced manufacturing has refined Moissanite’s visual properties, making it an increasingly viable alternative to diamonds.

Diamond vs Moissanite: Key Differences

Here’s a breakdown of how these two gemstones differ in critical attributes:

While diamonds lean toward traditional prestige and durability, Moissanite often offers stronger sparkle at a lower cost, at a tradeoff in resale and a slight difference in hardness.

Similarities: What They Share

Despite their differences, diamonds and Moissanite share several traits that make both excellent jewelry stones:

• High brilliance & sparkle: Both offer beautiful light return and visual appeal.
• Wearability: For daily wear (rings, pendants, earrings), both are sufficiently durable.
• Versatility in cuts & designs: You can find them in round, princess, cushion, oval, and many other shapes.
• Setting possibilities: They can be set in precious metals (gold, platinum), halo settings, solitaires, etc.

If chosen and cared for properly, both can serve beautifully in fine jewelry.

Natural vs Lab-Grown Diamond

In recent years, lab-grown diamonds (also called synthetic or engineered diamonds) have gained popularity. These are real diamonds, with the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as mined ones, but grown in a controlled laboratory environment.

Pros of lab-grown diamonds:

• Lower cost (often 20–50% cheaper vs natural for similar specs).
• More transparent supply chain and fewer mining impacts.
• Same hardness (10) and performance as natural diamond.

Cons/considerations:

• Less recognized prestige historically.
• Resale/market acceptance is still evolving.
• You must ensure proper certification (IGI, GIA, etc.) indicating lab origin.

In comparison to Moissanite, lab-grown diamonds bring the best of both worlds: diamond durability + more ethical sourcing + a more accessible price point.

Why Some Choose Moissanite

Many customers opt for Moissanite because:

• Budget-friendly brilliance: You can afford a larger stone for the same budget.
• Sparkle and fire: The visual effect is often more dazzling in direct light.
• Ethical peace of mind: Manufactured in labs, avoiding mining controversies.
• Low hassle: Good durability for generally normal use (rings, pendants, etc.).

It’s a compelling option, especially for those prioritizing size and flash over tradition or resale.

Why Some Prefer Diamonds

Despite Moissanite’s strengths, diamonds remain the top choice for many due to:

• Tradition & symbolism: Diamonds have a strong heritage as engagement and heirloom stones.
• Resale & value retention: Well-certified diamonds tend to hold value better.
• Status & perceived luxury: Diamonds carry prestige and recognition globally.
• Superior hardness: Ultimate scratch resistance (only diamond can scratch diamond).

For those wanting timelessness, diamonds still carry weight.

Buying Tips: What to Look For

When choosing between a diamond, a lab diamond, or a Moissanite, keep these factors in mind:

1. Certification, Always insist on an independent certificate (GIA, IGI, etc.) that confirms stone attributes (cut, clarity, color, carat) and lab-grown or natural origin.
2. Cut quality. This often affects sparkle more than clarity or color, opt for excellent or ideal cuts.
3. Clarity & inclusion, Minor inclusions are often invisible to the naked eye; aim for eye-clean.
4. Color grade, Particularly for diamonds, look for near colorless ranges (D–G or H–I). Moissanite labs usually grade near colorless.
5. Setting & metal, The right mounting (prong, bezel, etc.) protects your stone and enhances brilliance.
6. Reputation of the seller, Trustworthiness, after-sales, returns, and warranties matter.
7. Compare “bang for buck”, For the same budget, see which stone gives you the best size + quality balance.

By following these tips, you can make a confident, informed purchase.

Solomon & Co.

Solomon & Co. is a distinguished jewelry brand that blends artistry, integrity, and innovation. They specialize in offering collections across natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, and Moissanite, allowing customers to match their vision, values, and budget. The commitment to excellence, thorough certification, and bespoke service make them a standout in the market.

Solomon & Co.’s Natural Diamond Jewelry

When it comes to natural diamond jewelry, Solomon & Co. brings:

• A range of certified diamonds with transparent grading.
• Classic designs: solitaires, halo rings, stud earrings, pendant necklaces.
• High standards of finishing: precise cuts and premium settings.
• Perfect for customers who value tradition, prestige, and long-term value.

If you’re seeking the classic, time-tested option, their natural diamond line delivers elegance and legacy.

Solomon & Co.’s Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry

For those seeking the diamond experience with modern ethics and pricing, Solomon & Co.’s lab-grown diamond line:

• Delivers genuine diamond structure and appearance.
• Offers better pricing vs natural diamond for similar specifications.
• Ensures full certification and disclosure of lab origin.
• Ideal if you want the inherent gem quality of a diamond while being budget-sensible and conflict-free.

It’s a smart compromise between tradition and forward thinking.

Solomon & Co.’s Moissanite Jewelry

Solomon & Co.’s Moissanite collection is crafted thoughtfully to showcase:

• High-quality Moissanite stones with exceptional brilliance and clarity.
• Designs specially optimized to balance sparkle and wearability.
• Value advantage: you can often afford larger carat equivalents than with diamonds.
• Ethical appeal: no mining, reduced environmental impact.
• Guarantee and support: Solomon & Co. stands behind their Moissanite offerings with warranties and craftsmanship.

For those who prioritize sparkle, size, and value, this line shines in its own right.

Which Should You Choose?

Let’s map the right gemstone to different use cases:

• Engagement ring, maximum prestige → Natural diamond
• Engagement ring, ethical & cost-sensitive → Lab-grown diamond
• Fashion/statement ring, size & sparkle priority → Moissanite
• Everyday jewelry (studs, pendants) → Moissanite or lab-grown diamond (both can handle daily wear)
• Heirloom or investment piece → Natural diamond

Ultimately it depends on what you value most: tradition, budget, ethics, or flash.

Care & Maintenance Tips

To keep your piece looking its best:

• Clean gently with mild soap + warm water + soft brush.
• Avoid harsh chemicals (bleach, chlorine), which may affect metal or settings.
• Store stones separately to prevent scratching each other.
• Inspect prongs annually to prevent loosening.
• For Moissanite and diamond both, ultrasonics are generally safe, check with your jeweler for your particular setting.

Proper care ensures lasting sparkle.

Conclusion

When it comes to diamond vs Moissanite, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Diamonds bring tradition, prestige, and unmatched hardness, while Moissanite offers dazzling brilliance and affordability. Lab-grown diamonds bridge the gap by delivering true diamond quality with ethical clarity and lower cost.

In all these options, Solomon & Co. stands out by offering top-tier natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, and premium Moissanite jewelry, backed by certification, craftsmanship, and customer trust. Whether your priority is heritage, value, sparkle, or ethics, Solomon & Co. has something tailored for you

FAQs

1. Is Moissanite as durable as a diamond?
Not quite, the diamond is harder (10 Mohs vs ~9.25 for Moissanite). But in everyday wear, Moissanite holds up very well and resists scratches from most materials.

2. Can you tell Moissanite apart from a diamond with the naked eye?
In many lighting conditions, Moissanite’s “fire” or rainbow flashes can look more intense. But when well cut and set, it’s difficult for non-experts to distinguish.

3. Do lab-grown diamonds lose value more than natural diamonds?
Historically, resale markets favor natural diamonds. But lab-grown diamonds are newer in this regard, and their resale value is evolving.

4. Does Solomon & Co. guarantee the authenticity of their gems?
Yes, Solomon & Co. provides proper certification, full disclosure (natural vs lab origin), and support or warranty for their jewelry.

5. Which gives more size per rupee, diamond or Moissanite?
Moissanite usually offers a more visible size for the same budget because its cost per carat is much lower than that of diamonds.

6. Can Moissanite chips break?
Under extreme force, any gemstone might chip. But Moissanite is quite tough and normally safe for everyday wear when properly set.