Key Takeaways

• Moissanite is a genuine gemstone, not a diamond imitation.
• Refractive index about 2.65 (diamond 2.42) and roughly twice the fire of diamond.
• Hardness 9.25, second only to diamond among popular gems.
• Lab-created, conflict-free and far more affordable than diamond.

If you have been shopping for an engagement ring or a statement piece lately, you have almost certainly come across moissanite. It sparkles like nothing else, it is tough enough for everyday wear, and it costs a fraction of a mined diamond of the same size. Here is everything you need to know about this remarkable gem.

Where Moissanite Comes From

Moissanite is named after the French chemist Henri Moissan, who in 1893 found tiny sparkling crystals in a meteor crater in Arizona. He first thought they were diamonds, but they turned out to be a new mineral: silicon carbide. Natural moissanite is so rare that almost none exists in gem sizes, so every moissanite you see in jewelry today is created in a laboratory.

Lab-grown moissanite was first made available for jewelry in the late 1990s. Modern growing methods now produce stones that are extremely clear and colorless, which is why moissanite has become such a popular choice for engagement rings.

How Moissanite Is Different From Diamond

Moissanite and diamond look similar at a glance, but they are completely different materials with their own strengths:

• Brilliance: moissanite has a higher refractive index (about 2.65 compared with diamond's 2.42), so it returns a lot of light.
• Fire: moissanite splits light into rainbow flashes more than twice as strongly as diamond. If you love colorful sparkle, this is its signature.
• Hardness: moissanite rates 9.25 on the Mohs scale, second only to diamond at 10 among popular gems. That makes it very resistant to scratches.
• Price: a moissanite of the same size costs a small fraction of a mined diamond.

Is Moissanite a Fake Diamond?

No. A fake or simulant only imitates another stone. Moissanite is a genuine gemstone with its own chemistry and properties, and it is sold openly as moissanite. It is best thought of as a beautiful gem in its own right that happens to offer a diamond-like look.

Why Couples Are Choosing Moissanite

• Bigger look for the budget: the size and sparkle you want without stretching your finances.
• Lab-created and conflict-free: no mining is involved.
• Built for daily wear: its hardness means it keeps its sparkle for years.
• Every shape available: round, oval, pear, emerald, radiant, cushion, princess, marquise and heart.

What to Look For When Buying

Look for the clearest, most colorless grades. At Rodio Ice&Co we work with VVS clarity, D-color moissanite, the top grades for both clarity and color. Then choose a shape and setting that suits your style and lifestyle.

Ready to see it in person? Explore our moissanite engagement rings, or read our FAQs for more answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is moissanite made of?

Moissanite is made of silicon carbide (SiC), a different material from diamond, which is pure carbon.

Is moissanite natural or lab-made?

Natural moissanite exists but is extremely rare in gem sizes, so virtually all moissanite used in jewelry is created in a laboratory.

Is moissanite good for an engagement ring?

Yes. It is hard enough for everyday wear, keeps its sparkle for life, and costs far less than a diamond of the same size.