Is Moissanite a Good Buy? What to Know First
Short answer: yes, if you want the largest possible stone for your budget and you are comfortable that it is not a diamond. At 3 carats and above it costs roughly half what a lab grown diamond does, and about a twentieth of a mined one.
What moissanite is
Silicon carbide, not carbon. It was discovered in a meteorite crater in 1893 and is now grown in laboratories. It is a different mineral from diamond, which is the single most important thing to understand before buying.
It rates 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale, harder than sapphire at 9 and well beyond what daily wear demands. It will not scratch or cloud.
How it looks different
Moissanite has a higher refractive index than diamond, 2.65 against 2.42, and more than twice the dispersion. In plain terms it returns more light and splits that light into colour more strongly.
Under 1 carat, most people cannot tell. Above 2 carats, the rainbow fire is visible to an ordinary observer in sunlight. Some buyers love it. Others find it reads as unmistakably not-a-diamond. Look at video rather than photographs before deciding, because stills hide the effect.
The price comparison that matters
Complete rings in solid gold, from our catalog:
1 carat — moissanite about $1,260, lab grown diamond about $1,450
2 carat — moissanite about $1,500, lab grown about $2,500
3 carat — moissanite about $1,600, lab grown about $2,775
5 carat — moissanite about $1,875, lab grown considerably more
The gap is small at 1 carat and large above 3. That is the whole decision in one line: at small sizes choose on looks, at large sizes moissanite buys roughly twice the stone.
The honest downsides
No resale market. Effectively zero. The value in the ring is the gold.
It is not a diamond, and if that matters to the person wearing it, nothing else on this page is relevant.
The fire divides opinion at larger sizes.
Who it suits
Buyers who want visible size on a real budget. Anyone who wants a travel ring or an everyday alternative to something more valuable. People who like the extra fire for its own sake.
Who it doesn't
Anyone whose partner has said they want a diamond. That is a preference, not a misunderstanding, and no amount of technical comparison overrides it.
Frequently asked questions
Does moissanite look fake?
Not at smaller sizes. Above 2 carats its stronger fire is noticeable in bright light, which some people prefer and others don't.
Does moissanite get cloudy over time?
No. It can look dull when coated in soap or lotion, and cleans up with warm water and a soft brush.
Is moissanite good for an engagement ring?
For durability, yes: 9.25 on the Mohs scale handles daily wear indefinitely.
Does moissanite pass a diamond tester?
On older thermal-only testers, often yes. Modern dual testers identify it correctly using electrical conductivity.
Is moissanite worth buying over lab grown diamond?
Above 3 carats, on price, clearly. Below 1.5 carats the two cost nearly the same, so choose on appearance.
Browse moissanite engagement rings or read the full comparison.
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