Moissanite Vs. Diamond: The Right Choice for You
By: Frozen Moments Jewelry (2024)
Stock Image: unrefined Moissanite.
Choosing between moissanite and diamonds involves considering various factors. Moissanite, a lab-grown gem with origins in the stars, offers better brilliance than diamonds and at a significantly lower cost, as well as a conflict-free origin.
From an ethical standpoint, moissanites are free from humanitarian concerns associated with diamonds, such as the issue of "blood diamonds" or conflict diamonds, which are mined under exploitative conditions often associated with violence and human rights abuses.
To compare these two gemstones, we created a table bellow:
| Feature | Moissanite | Diamonds |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Silicon Carbide | Carbon |
| Hardness | 9.25 on Mohs scale (second only to diamonds) | 10 on Mohs scale (Hardest natural stone) |
| Brilliance | Greater fire and brilliance (brighter than diamonds) | Exceptional brilliance |
| Color | Generally colorless to near-colorless, | Varies in color, with some being colorless |
| Price | Significantly more affordable | Expensive, especially for high-quality gems |
| Origin | Lab-created, with a natural counterpart | Mined from the Earth |
| Environmental Impact | Minimal environmental impact in production | Environmental concerns in mining process |
| Ethical Consideration | No ethical concerns; conflict-free and ethical | Potential ethical issues (blood diamonds) |
| Passing diamond tester | Passes |
Passes |
Moreover, the environmental considerations favour moissanite, it is a lab-created gem with no ties to the troubling issues associated with diamond mining. The process of diamond mining has significant environmental consequences, including deforestation, soil erosion, and disruption of ecosystems.