Diamond vs Moissanites: What I’ve Learned After Years Covering Fine Jewellery

Diamond vs Moissanites: An Honest Look From Behind the Jewellery Counter

I still remember the first time a couple asked me, slightly sheepish, whether moissanite was “basically a fake diamond”. We were standing under warm showroom lights on a quiet Tuesday afternoon in Sydney. Honestly, it stopped me in my tracks. Not because the question was silly — far from it — but because it highlighted just how much confusion still surrounds the whole diamond vs moissanites conversation. After more than a decade covering jewellery trends and spending time with gem cutters, designers, and everyday customers, I’ve learned that this debate isn’t about right or wrong. It’s about values, expectations, budgets, and sometimes even a bit of personal philosophy. And you might not know this, but the answer has shifted dramatically over the last few years. So let’s talk about it properly — without hype, without judgement, and without pretending there’s a single “best” choice for everyone.

Why This Debate Even Matters Anymore

Once upon a time, engagement rings followed a fairly predictable script. Diamond. White gold or platinum. Done. But today? Couples walk in armed with spreadsheets, Pinterest boards, ethical concerns, and TikTok opinions. That’s not a bad thing. Rising living costs, growing awareness around sourcing, and the sheer availability of alternatives have changed the game. Moissanite, in particular, has stepped out of the shadows and into serious consideration — not just as a budget substitute, but as a gemstone with its own identity. And then there’s the quiet revolution of lab created diamonds, which has further blurred the lines between tradition and innovation. More on that shortly.

First Things First: What Are Diamonds and Moissanites, Really?

Let’s strip it back.

Natural Diamonds

Natural diamonds form deep within the earth over billions of years. Heat, pressure, time — it’s a geological miracle, really. Each stone is unique, with inclusions that gemmologists can trace like fingerprints. For many people, that ancient origin carries emotional weight. There’s romance in knowing your stone has existed longer than humanity itself.

Moissanite

Moissanite has a fascinating origin story too, though it’s often misunderstood. It was first discovered in a meteor crater in the late 1800s. Naturally occurring moissanite is incredibly rare, so every moissanite used in jewellery today is lab-created. Chemically, it’s silicon carbide. Visually, it’s clear, brilliant, and often mistaken for diamond at a glance — though the differences reveal themselves the longer you look.

The Sparkle Factor: Brilliance Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

Here’s where things get interesting, and where I’ve seen plenty of surprised reactions across the counter. Moissanite actually sparkles more than diamond. Not subtly — noticeably. It has a higher refractive index, which means it bends light more aggressively. Under direct lighting, moissanite throws rainbow flashes (what gem nerds call “fire”) that some people absolutely love. Others? Not so much. Diamonds, on the other hand, reflect more white light — a sharper, cleaner brilliance that many associate with elegance and restraint. Neither is better. They’re just different personalities. I often explain it like this: Diamonds are classic champagne. Moissanite is a well-mixed spritz with citrus and sparkle. Same glass. Very different vibe.

Durability and Everyday Wear

If you’re wearing a ring daily — and most engagement rings are exactly that — durability matters. Diamonds sit at a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. They’re the hardest natural substance we know. That doesn’t make them indestructible (they can chip under sharp impact), but they’re exceptionally resistant to scratches. Moissanite ranks at 9.25. That might sound close — and it is — but in real-world terms, both stones hold up beautifully for everyday wear. I’ve seen decade-old moissanite rings that still look brilliant with proper care. The idea that moissanite “wears down” simply doesn’t match what happens in real life.

Price: The Elephant in the Room

Let’s be real. Price is often the deciding factor, even if people don’t say it out loud. Moissanite can cost up to 80–90% less than a natural diamond of similar size. That’s not a small gap. That’s a life decision gap. It might mean: A larger stone without stretching finances Money left over for a honeymoon Less pressure, less debt, more breathing room Diamonds, particularly high-quality natural ones, retain higher resale value. But resale only matters if you plan to sell — and most people don’t buy engagement rings thinking about exit strategies. This is where the diamond vs moissanites decision becomes deeply personal rather than purely financial.

Ethics, Origins, and Peace of Mind

This is the part of the conversation that’s changed the most in recent years. Many buyers are deeply concerned about environmental impact and ethical sourcing. Natural diamonds have made strides through certification programs, but the industry’s past still lingers in public memory. Moissanite, being lab-created, avoids mining entirely. And then there’s the growing interest in lab created diamonds — stones that are chemically and visually identical to mined diamonds but grown in controlled environments. If you’re curious about how that process works and why it’s reshaping the industry, this article on lab created diamonds breaks it down in a way that’s refreshingly easy to understand. For some couples, this option feels like the perfect middle ground: diamond authenticity without the environmental baggage.

Social Perception: What Will People Think?

I’ll say this gently — because it comes up more than you’d expect. Some people worry about judgement. Will friends ask questions? Will family “approve”? Will it feel less special? In practice? Most people can’t tell the difference. And those who can usually don’t care. The meaning of a ring comes from the relationship behind it, not the chemical structure of the stone. I’ve seen moissanite rings that made people cry with joy — and diamond rings that felt oddly transactional. If you’re choosing a ring to impress others, pause. If you’re choosing it to represent your partnership, you’re already on the right track.

A Closer Look at Long-Term Value

This is where I switch briefly into journalist mode. From a pure investment perspective, diamonds have historically held more value than moissanite. But even then, jewellery is rarely a strong financial investment unless you’re dealing with rare stones at auction-level quality. Moissanite isn’t bought for resale. It’s bought for wear, enjoyment, and freedom. Lab-created diamonds sit somewhere in between. They’re less expensive than mined diamonds, more expensive than moissanite, and still evolving in resale perception. If you’re the type who likes knowing your options, a detailed comparison like this one on diamond vs moissanites offers a clear side-by-side look without pushing a particular agenda.

How Couples Are Actually Choosing Today

Here’s what I’ve noticed recently, especially across Australia:

Practical couples lean toward moissanite or lab-grown options.
Traditionalists still prefer natural diamonds, often for emotional reasons.
Style-driven buyers focus less on stone type and more on setting design.
Younger buyers ask sharper questions — about sourcing, impact, and longevity.

There’s no single trend anymore. And honestly, that’s refreshing.

Small Details That Make a Big Difference

A quick note from the jeweller’s bench. Cut quality matters more than stone type. Setting design can elevate or cheapen any gem. Metal choice affects how brilliance appears. I’ve seen modest stones look breathtaking in thoughtful settings, and expensive stones look flat in poorly designed ones. If you take one thing away from this article, let it be this: don’t obsess over labels. Focus on craftsmanship.

So… Which One Should You Choose?

I wish there were a neat answer. But the truth? The “right” choice is the one that aligns with your values, lifestyle, and comfort level. Whether that’s tradition, innovation, ethics, sparkle, or budget — or a mix of all five. What matters is that when you look down at your hand years from now, the ring still feels like yours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can moissanite pass as a diamond?

To the untrained eye, yes — especially in smaller sizes. Under close inspection, the increased fire and rainbow flashes can give it away, but many people prefer that look.