What Is Moissanite?
Moissanite is a rare gemstone composed of silicon carbide, originally discovered in material from outer space.
Natural moissanite is incredibly rare — found only in meteorite impact sites — making it one of the rarest minerals on Earth. Because of this scarcity, the moissanite used in fine jewellery today is ethically grown in laboratories, using advanced processes that replicate its natural formation.
The Gemological Institute of America recognizes moissanite as the closest diamond alternative, thanks to its exceptional brilliance, durability, and thermal properties — so much so that it can even pass standard diamond testers.
Where Does Moissanite Come From?
Moissanite was first discovered in 1893 by Henri Moissan while examining a meteor crater in Arizona. Initially, he believed the crystals were diamonds, but later identified them as silicon carbide.
Over a century later, scientists developed a method to recreate moissanite in laboratories, making it accessible for use in fine jewellery.
Today, moissanite is grown using advanced techniques such as the Lely method, where silicon carbide crystals are formed through a high-temperature sublimation process — resulting in gemstones of exceptional clarity and quality.
Moissanite vs. Diamond
Diamonds are formed from carbon and are known as the hardest natural mineral on Earth, prized for their durability and brilliance. However, they often come with a significantly higher price tag, typically ranging from £750 to £15,000+ per carat depending on quality.
Moissanite offers a visually comparable alternative. To the naked eye, moissanite and diamond are virtually indistinguishable, and even trained jewellers often require magnification to tell them apart.
Durability
Gemstones are measured using the Mohs Scale of Hardness, which determines resistance to scratching.
- Diamond: 10 (hardest known mineral)
- Moissanite: 9.25 (extremely durable, suitable for everyday wear)
Moissanite’s hardness makes it an excellent choice for rings and daily jewellery.
Brilliance & Lustre
Brilliance refers to how much light is reflected from within the stone.
Moissanite actually exceeds diamond in this area, with a refractive index of 2.65, compared to diamond’s 2.45, giving it a more intense sparkle.
Lustre refers to how light reflects off the surface of the gemstone.
- Moissanite has ~18% more lustre than diamond
- And significantly more than cubic zirconia
The result is a gemstone with exceptional fire and shine.
Sourcing
Moissanite is lab-created, meaning it requires no mining.
This makes it an ideal choice for those seeking a more ethical and environmentally conscious alternative to traditional gemstones.
Price
Diamond pricing varies based on the well-known “4 Cs” — cut, colour, clarity, and carat.
Moissanite, on the other hand, is far more consistent in quality, with pricing primarily based on carat size.
On average, moissanite costs up to 100x less than natural diamonds, making it possible to achieve a larger, high-quality stone at a fraction of the price.