Can people tell moissanite from a diamond?
Most people cannot at a glance. Up close, moissanite shows stronger rainbow flashes (fire), especially in sunlight, and larger stones can look slightly different. A jeweler can tell with a tester.
Sparkle and fire
Moissanite bends light more strongly than diamond, producing bold rainbow flashes. Diamonds show a more balanced mix of white brilliance and color. Which is prettier is personal — some love the extra fire, others find it less classic.
Hardness and durability
Diamond is the hardest natural material (10 on the Mohs scale); moissanite is close behind at about 9.25. Both are far tougher than sapphire alternatives like white topaz or cubic zirconia, which scratch and cloud over time.
Color
Modern colorless moissanite looks white face-up, though some stones show a faint warm or grey tint in certain light. Diamonds are graded D to Z; see the diamond color guide for where the sweet spots are.
Price and value
Moissanite is the least expensive, lab-grown diamond sits in the middle, and natural diamond costs the most. Use the True Carat calculator to price natural and lab-grown options for the same design side by side.
Common questions
Is moissanite durable enough for everyday wear?
Yes. Moissanite rates about 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale, second only to diamond at 10, so it holds up well in an everyday engagement ring.
How much cheaper is moissanite than diamond?
Moissanite typically costs a small fraction of a natural diamond of similar size, and less than most lab-grown diamonds as well.
Does moissanite hold its value?
Moissanite has very little resale value. Natural diamonds have some resale value, though well below retail; lab-grown diamond resale is also limited.
Is a lab-grown diamond a better middle ground?
For many buyers, yes. A lab-grown diamond is a real diamond with the same look and hardness as a natural one, at a price between moissanite and natural.