What is the difference between moissanite and diamond? Is a moissanite a diamond? There is a fundamental difference between moissanites and diamonds. A moissanite is not a diamond, but a synthetic material. There is a difference between the two in terms of production methods, prices, and physical properties.

What is moissanite?

To answer the question that what is the difference between moissanite and diamond, we need to find out the definition of moissanite first. Moissanite is a synthetic material composed of silicon carbide. The academic name is synthetic carbide silica, which is also found naturally but is extremely rare. Almost all moissanite on the market today is synthetic.

The world's first discovery of natural moissanite was by a French doctor named Moissan, who found an exceptionally bright particle, similar in mass to a diamond, in a space meteorite that had fallen in the United States. To further their research, scientists decided to develop their artificial moissanite. Because of its high hardness and close resemblance to diamonds, it is often used as a substitute for diamonds. In recent years, moissanite jewelry has become increasingly popular.

What is the difference between moissanite and diamond?

As we mentioned before, moissanite is a synthetic material whose main component is silicon carbide. Diamond is one of the top five organic gemstones and its main component is carbon. Diamonds are naturally produced and require billions of years of evolution of the earth's environment to form under specific conditions that are uncontrollable.

The biggest difference between moissanite and diamond is that moissanite is a birefringent stone while diamond is mono-refringent. Therefore, when you take a closer look, according to the principle of light refraction, moissanite will flash out more light shades and more colorful light lines.

In addition, there is also a significant difference in value between the two stones. The difference in price between the two can be hundreds of times, with moissanite being much cheaper than diamond.

Can a moissanite diamond be distinguished from a diamond with the human eye?

Moissan diamonds are commonly mistaken for diamonds due to their similar appearance. Since moissanite and diamond are the same in thermal conductivity. Moissanite and diamonds are both equally capable of passing a diamond tester.

Most specialists can identify the difference between a moissanite and a diamond with their bare eyes under a magnifying glass.

From the point of view of polishing lines, diamonds have irregular polishing lines because they have to constantly adjust the polishing direction when polishing. Moissanite can be polished in the same direction, and its polishing lines are parallel to each other. From the perspective of inclusions, the arrangement of diamond inclusions is irregular, while moissanite inclusions are arranged in parallel in the form of needles.

How to distinguish moissanite and diamonds?

• Brilliance: Moissanite fire color is stronger than diamonds, which means it sparkles more. And this flash is a brightly colored, slightly dazzling brilliance. Although the diamond is also highly flashy, its flash is more moderate and gentler.
• Ridge and prism: Moissanite is a biaxial crystal gemstone with a high birefringence, therefore a magnifying glass through the table facet will reveal the obvious double prism. Diamond is a single refractive stone, hence double prisms will not appear regardless of how you look at it.
• Girdle: Moissanite girdle polishing follows a parallel polishing path, resulting in a more parallel arrangement. When polishing diamonds, they must be adjusted in multiple directions, resulting in a frosted or mirror surface with no parallel polishing lines.
• Price: Moissanite costs one-tenth or less than diamonds!
• Certificate: This is the most direct and effective simple method. However, the market is full of inflated pricing and fake certificates issued by dishonest traders.

How to select a moissanite and diamond ring?

After figuring out the question that what is the difference between moissanite and diamond, selecting becomes a new challenge. When it comes to shopping for an engagement ring, it can often be tempting to think that you have to sacrifice quality, clarity, or carat size. That's not true.

Whether it's a moissanite or a diamond, the quality of the cut represents the technology used to fabricate this gemstone. A well-cut stone is bright and vivid, sparkling with a radiant brilliance that presents an unmistakable charm. The design ensures robustness and perfect proportions, so you won't have to pay for unnecessary weight.

Panpanxi moissanite rings are available in a variety of cut forms in excellent standard. Panpanxi can customize the ring of your dreams to fit your budget without the price burden.