There are now numerous alternatives to conventionally mined diamonds for discerning customers. Two categories in particular are often confused with one another: moissanite and lab-grown diamonds. Anyone looking for sustainable, ethical or attractively priced alternatives should be able to clearly distinguish between these two gemstones. Read on to learn more about the key characteristics of moissanite and lab-grown diamonds - and discover what makes Aurelior diamonds unique.

What is a moissanite diamond?

The mineral moissanite was discovered at the end of the 19th century by Henri Moissan while examining rock samples from a meteorite crater in Canyon Diablo in Arizona. At first he thought the glittering crystals were diamonds, but after intensive research in 1904 it was confirmed that they were made of silicon carbide. Natural moissanite is extremely rare because it comes from meteorite material. Therefore, the majority of what is offered on the jewelry market today is artificially created in the laboratory.

Although it is sometimes referred to as a "moissanite diamond," this is a misnomer. Moissanite is a gemstone in its own right, not a true diamond. However, thanks to its sparkling appearance, it is often chosen as a cheaper substitute for jewelry and engagement rings.

Is Moissanite Real – and Does It Pass the Diamond Test?

Moissanite is undoubtedly a real gemstone, but not a diamond. The chemical basis is fundamentally different: moissanite is made of silicon carbide, while a diamond is made of carbon. For this reason, moissanite cannot pass a diamond test because its composition, hardness and other physical properties are different.

Lab and mined diamonds are traditionally graded according to the so-called "4Cs": cut, color, clarity and carat. Moissanite, on the other hand, is classified into "premium" and "super premium" based only on its color. It also has hardly any inclusions by nature, which can lead to visual perfection - but also signals that it is a different type of material than diamond.

Key Differences: Moissanite vs. Lab-Grown Diamonds

Lab-grown diamonds have a crystalline structure made of pure carbon, just like their mined counterparts. Moissanite is made from silicon carbide and is therefore an imitation diamond. To the untrained eye, moissanite may sparkle similarly, but in terms of material value and durability, it cannot compete with real diamonds (whether mined or lab-grown).

Many jewelry lovers choose moissanite because they want to avoid mining. But energy consumption also plays a role in the production of moissanite. If no renewable energy is used for the production process, high CO₂ emissions are still generated. At Aurelior, we take a different approach: our lab-created diamonds are produced using environmentally friendly energy, making them a truly sustainable alternative to mined diamonds.

Moissanite vs. Diamond: The Sparkle

What many refer to as the "sparkle" of a gemstone is often summarized in technical terms as fire, brilliance and shimmer. Moissanite can even have a higher refraction of light than a traditional diamond, making it appear more sparkling. This is because it is doubly refractive and is specially cut to increase light reflection.

However, sheer sparkle says little about hardness, durability and value. Diamonds - whether mined or produced in our state-of-the-art facility - remain unique due to their composition and resilience.

Moissanite vs. Diamond: The Price

Moissanite is usually significantly less expensive than a comparable sized diamond. It can often cost just a fraction of what a traditionally mined stone would cost. The price depends primarily on the size and color grade of the moissanite.

Our lab-grown diamonds at Aurelior are also cheaper than their mined counterparts. However, this is not due to a compromise in quality, but rather to our vertically integrated business model: we directly use our own, CO₂-neutral production facility instead of relying on third-party suppliers. This enables us to offer high quality at an attractive price.

Artificial Diamond vs. Moissanite

Lab-grown diamonds are sometimes mistakenly labeled as "synthetic" or "man-made." In fact, they are real diamonds, except that they are created in a highly specialized laboratory environment rather than from a natural deposit. Moissanite, on the other hand, is a synthetic gemstone derived from silicon carbide that only mimics the external aesthetics of a diamond.

Compared to a plant grown in a greenhouse rather than outdoors (laboratory diamond), moissanite is more like an artificial plastic flower - it imitates the look but does not have the same substance.

Moissanite vs. Diamond vs. Cubic Zirconia

In addition to moissanite, cubic zirconia (CZ) is another popular imitation diamond. This is also inexpensive and is often used as a substitute for real diamonds. However, it is a crystalline form of zirconium dioxide that is formed under very high temperatures and then cooled to form sparkling crystals.

Although CZ and moissanite both sparkle attractively, they are not considered real diamonds and therefore cannot compete in terms of value, durability and sustainability. Their production also causes emissions, which does not necessarily make them more "green".

Discover lab-grown diamonds from Aurelior

If you want to experience the benefits of diamonds without compromising on ethics or sustainability, Aurelior is the right place for you. Our lab-produced diamonds are created in a CO₂-neutral facility and impress with their beauty, hardness and brilliance.

Feel free to book a personal or virtual consultation with our experts to learn more about our innovative processes. Be inspired by the breathtaking quality of our lab diamonds and find your perfect piece of jewelry - guaranteed conflict-free and sustainable.