Origin: Where They Come From

Moissanite was originally discovered in a meteorite crater by Henri Moissan. It’s a naturally occurring mineral called silicon carbide. But most of the moissanite you find today is lab-created, because natural moissanite is extremely rare.

Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. They have the same chemical makeup and crystal structure as mined diamonds. The only difference is that they’re made in a lab instead of forming over millions of years underground.

Both are created in labs nowadays, but lab diamonds are essentially the same as natural diamonds, while moissanite is a completely different mineral with its own unique properties.

Sparkle and Appearance

If it’s sparkle you’re after, here’s where things get interesting:

Moissanite is known for its fiery, rainbow-like sparkle. It has more “flash” than diamonds. It catches light beautifully and can look slightly more sparkly in certain lighting.

Lab-grown diamonds have the classic diamond sparkle, which is more subtle and white. They shine brilliantly but won’t have the rainbow flashes that moissanite sometimes shows.

Quick tip: If you love intense sparkle and a playful vibe, moissanite might win your heart. If you want a traditional diamond look, lab-grown diamonds are your go-to.

Hardness and Durability

Moissanite ranks 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale, which makes it extremely durable and suitable for everyday wear.

Lab-grown diamonds are the same as natural diamonds. They’re a 10 on the Mohs scale as the hardest of all gemstones.

The bottom line is both stones are tough and durable, but diamonds and lab diamonds have that slight edge when it comes to scratch resistance.

Price and Value

Moissanite is typically more affordable than lab-grown diamonds. This means they give you a larger or more sparkly stone for the same price.

Lab-grown diamonds are usually more expensive than moissanite, but still less than mined diamonds. They hold value better if resale or long-term investment matters to you.

Pro tip: Think about what matters more—sparkle, size or investment—when making your choice.

Eco & Ethical Considerations

Both options are more sustainable than mined diamonds.

Moissanite is lab-created and low-impact on the environment.

Lab-grown diamonds are also lab-created, sustainable and conflict-free, with a carbon footprint far smaller than traditional mining.

Takeaway: You can’t go wrong ethically with either option!

Making the Choice

At the end of the day, it comes down to your personal style, budget and what you want your stone to represent. Both moissanite and lab-grown diamonds are beautiful, durable and ethically responsible options. You can choose moissanite if you love a sparkling and budget-friendly gem. Or, you can go for lab-grown diamonds if you want the classic diamond look with the same physical and chemical properties as a natural diamond.The “right” choice is really about what feels right for you and your partner.