Moissanite vs Diamond vs Cubic Zirconia

Moissanite, diamonds, and cubic zirconia are all popular choices when it comes to jewelry or engagement ring. Each stone has its advantages and disadvantages, so let’s take a look at how they compare.

Moissanite

Moissanite is a synthetic gemstone with very similar properties to diamonds. It's known for its brilliance and shine, making it a great choice for those looking for excellent sparkle in their jewelry. Moissanite is also very durable; while not as hard as diamonds (9 on the Mohs scale compared to 10), moissanite ranks highly on the hardness scale at 8.5-9.25, meaning it can withstand everyday abrasions without any risk of damage or scratches. 

Compared to diamonds, moissanite is actually more brilliant and sparkly. While it’s not as hard as a diamond can be, moissanite is much more affordable and offers great value for money. It is also a more environmentally friendly option.

Compared to cubic zirconia, moissanite has a much higher hardness rating (8.5-9.25 on the Mohs scale vs 8) which makes it much more resistant to everyday abrasions and scratches. It also has a much better brilliance and shine than cubic zirconia, making it the ideal choice if you’re looking for some serious sparkle in your jewelry.

Finally, when compared to both diamonds and cubic zirconia, moissanite definitely offers the best value for money in terms of its sparkle and durability.

Moissanite Pros:

• More affordable than diamonds
• Extremely brilliant and sparkly. Hard to distinguish from diamonds (passes a diamond test too)
• Very durable (8.5 to 9.25 on the Mohs scale)
• More environmentally friendly

Moissanite Cons:

• Not as hard as a diamond (9 on the Mohs scale)
• No natural options like diamonds (all Moissanite is lab made)

Diamonds

Diamonds are the classic choice when it comes to engagement rings. Diamonds' strong appeal lies in its beautiful sparkle that captures the eye. They are also highly durable - they rank at 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, meaning they are virtually scratchproof. However, diamonds, whether natural or lab grown, are significantly more expensive than both moissanite and cubic zirconia.

It's almost impossible to tell the difference between moissanite and diamond for most jewelry pieces because the stones are small - and for that reason we recommend moissanite. And for those who wish to have a larger center stone on their engagement ring but need to keep within a budget, a moissanite might be a great option!

Cubic Zirconia (CZ)

Cubic Zirconia (CZ) is a synthetic gemstone made from zirconium dioxide. In terms of appearance, CZ looks similar to diamonds but it lacks the sparkle,  hardness and durability that diamonds and moissanite have. However, CZ is the cheapest option of the 3 and can be a good option for a piece you don't intend on keeping or wearing the jewelry for a long time.

How to choose between diamonds, moissanite and cubic zirconia for jewelry?

Choosing between diamonds, moissanite and cubic zirconia boils down to personal preference. Think about what’s most important to you or your partner: budget, sparkle and brilliance, or durability.

If you’re looking for a stone that is more affordable yet still beautiful and durable, then moissanite might be the perfect option for you. If you’re looking for something more classic and not too worried about cost, then a diamond may be the way to go. And if you are not worried about durability and just want something affordable, then cubic zirconia could be a good choice for you.

At Voll, we believe moissanite offers the greatest value for your money for jewelry. Moissanite looks identical to diamonds in most jewelry pieces because the stone's size is small. It is the perfect balance of beauty and practicality.