Moissanite, Lab-Grown Diamonds & Natural Diamonds
A Sparkling Tale of Three Gems
In the enchanted realm of gemstones, three sparkling stars often twinkle for your attention: moissanite, lab-grown diamonds, and natural diamonds. Each has its own story, charm, and personality. Let’s embark on a magical journey to explore their differences, so you can choose the gemstone that resonates with your heart, ethics, and style.
Nature, Lab, or Stardust?
Natural Diamonds: Formed over billions of years deep beneath the Earth’s crust under tremendous pressure and heat, these pure carbon wonders are a treasure of the Earth’s own making. Their rarity, geological journey, and dazzling sparkle give them a timeless allure.
Lab-Grown Diamonds: Created in a modern alchemist’s lab using High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD), lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds. Think of them as diamonds with the same magical soul, but with a kinder footprint on our planet.
Moissanite: First discovered in a meteor crater by Henri Moissan in 1893, moissanite is silicon carbide, a gemstone born from the stars. While naturally rare, today almost all moissanites are lab-created, offering fiery brilliance that dances with light in a way uniquely their own.
Hardness & “Bump-Proof” Magic
MOHS hardness is essentially a gemstone’s “bump-proof” rating; how likely it is to survive an accidental smack against a concrete wall or a kitchen counter without scratching or cracking.
Natural & Lab-Grown Diamonds (MOHS 10): The toughest of them all, diamonds are practically impervious to scratches and bumps. If you accidentally brush your hand (and your ring!) against a rough concrete wall, the chances of damage are minuscule. This is why diamonds have been treasured for centuries as enduring symbols of love and legacy.
Moissanite (MOHS 9.25–9.5): Nearly as hardy, moissanite is a very durable gemstone for everyday wear. Smacking your hand against a wall might still leave a tiny mark if you’re unlucky, but generally, moissanite will survive daily life’s bumps and scrapes with a fiery smile intact.
Brilliance & Sparkle
Natural & Lab-Grown Diamonds: Both sparkle with the classic white brilliance and flashes of rainbow-coloured “fire” that diamonds are famed for. Lab-grown diamonds share the exact same brilliance as their natural siblings; they’re identical twins in sparkle and structure.
Moissanite: Boasting a higher refractive index than diamonds, moissanite throws off more rainbow-coloured flashes of light, an exuberant, almost mischievous sparkle. Some adore the intense fire; others prefer the subtler twinkle of diamonds.
Colour Spectrum
Natural Diamonds: Graded D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown). Colourless stones are rarer and more valuable.
Lab-Grown Diamonds: Mirror the same D - Z colour grading as natural diamonds, with identical clarity and brilliance.
Moissanite: Typically near-colourless (G - H range) to faintly yellow. Its higher dispersion often makes it appear whiter than a diamond of comparable grade.
Price & Value
Natural Diamonds: Expensive due to rarity, mining costs, and the journey from deep underground to your jewellery box.
Lab-Grown Diamonds: More affordable than natural diamonds, offering the same chemical, optical, and physical beauty.
Moissanite: Even more budget-friendly, moissanite allows you to wear a radiant gemstone without stretching your wallet.
Ethical Considerations
Natural Diamonds: Mining can affect the environment and communities, though certification via the Kimberley Process and the Responsible Jewellery Council helps ensure ethical sourcing.
Lab-Grown Diamonds: Earth-friendly and ethical, eliminating the environmental and social concerns of mining.
Moissanite: Lab-created, eco-conscious, and ethical, making it a planet-friendly sparkle.
Care & Maintenance
Natural & Lab-Grown Diamonds: Clean with mild soap and a soft cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals, and store separately to prevent scratches.
Moissanite: Care similarly to diamonds. Durable, but still wise to keep it away from harder gemstones to maintain perfection.
| Feature | Natural Diamond | Lab-Grown Diamond | Moissanite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Formed over billions of years deep in the Earth | Created in labs via HPHT or CVD methods | Silicon carbide, originally from meteors, now lab-created |
| MOHS Hardness (“Bump-Proof” Rating) | 10 – virtually indestructible; unlikely to scratch if you bump it against walls or counters | 10 – identical “bump-proof” durability as natural diamonds | 9.25–9.5 – extremely durable; slight chance of scratching if hit very hard |
| Brilliance & Fire | Classic white sparkle with flashes of rainbow fire | Identical sparkle and fire as natural diamonds | More intense rainbow flashes due to higher refractive index; fiery, playful sparkle |
| Colour Spectrum | D (colourless) to Z (light yellow/brown) | D (colourless) to Z (light yellow/brown), same as natural diamonds | Near-colourless to faintly yellow; higher dispersion often looks whiter than diamonds |
| Clarity & Cut | Graded by GIA/IGI; clarity affects sparkle | Graded by GIA/IGI; identical to natural diamonds in clarity and cut | Not graded like diamonds; sellers provide cut and clarity info |
| Cost | Most expensive due to rarity and mining | More affordable than natural diamonds | Most affordable; stunning sparkle for a fraction of the price |
| Ethical Impact | Mining can affect environment and communities; certifications (Kimberley Process, RJC) help | Lab-created, minimal environmental and social impact | Lab-created, eco-friendly, ethical choice |
| Care & Maintenance | Clean with mild soap and soft cloth; store separately | Same as natural diamonds | Same as diamonds; durable but avoid contact with harder gemstones |
Basically
Natural Diamonds: Ancient Earth treasures, perfect MOHS 10 “bump-proof” hardness, rare, and traditional.
Lab-Grown Diamonds: Identical to natural diamonds in every way, sparkle, chemistry, and “bump-proof” durability, but ethical and often more affordable.
Moissanite: Star-born, fiery sparkle, nearly as “bump-proof” (MOHS 9.25 - 9.5), budget-friendly, and ethical.
So…
Whether you choose the stardust fire of moissanite, the ethical brilliance of a lab-grown diamond, or the timeless elegance of a natural diamond, each gemstone has a story. Your perfect jewel is the one that sparks joy, aligns with your values, and withstands life’s little bumps while shining brightly for years to come.