Diamond Alternative Comparison

 

When searching for your ideal gemstone, there are a few main factors that might affect your decision. Depending on where your priorities lie, one option might end up being more suitable to your needs than the other. The 2 most popular substitutes for diamonds are Cubic Zirconia (or "CZ") and Moissanite due to their accessibility and high quality. 

Cubic zirconia is strong enough to be utilized in everyday jewelry, and its widespread availability and low cost makes it an affordable and popular diamond simulant. While cubic zirconia is perfect for a travel ring (browse HERE), Moissanite is the most common alternative to diamonds when it comes to engagement rings (browse Moissanite rings HERE). So, although this information can be applied to cubic zirconia as well, we will largely be discussing the comparison between Moissanite and diamonds as this is where most people have questions. 

CUBIC ZIRCONIA MOISSANITE DIAMOND
PROCESS Simulated Lab-created Natural
PRICE/CARAT $20-100 $400 $4.5-6k
REFRACTIVE INDEX 2.2 2.65 2.42
FIRE 0.06 0.104 0.044
HARDNESS 8.25 9.25 10
FOSSIL FUELS Negligible Negligible Significant
WATER & LAND USE Negligible Negligible Significant

 

PRICE

Affordability is a main driving factor for people who are looking for diamond alternatives. We all know diamonds are expensive, and the artificially inflated price perpetuated the diamond industry does not make it any easier. The cost is further increased by holding back the supply on the market in order to control prices. To find out more about the artificial inflation of diamonds, click HERE. Moissanite, on the other hand, is readily available, substantially less expensive, and nearly indistinguishable from a diamond to the untrained eye. Read further to discover other ways Moissanite can be a wise choice as a substitute for a diamond.

REFRACTIVE INDEX

While diamonds are known for their sparkle, Moissanite actually sparkles more due to its higher refractive index. Refractive index measures how much light refracts off the gem. A diamond sits at a 2.42 while a Moissanite shines even more brightly at a 2.65.

FIRE

Fire describes how much color is refracted by the gem (similar to a prism). Because of its higher refractive index, Moissanite shines various colors of the rainbow while diamonds shine more white light. Some prefer less color to shine, and some love the idea of a shiny rainbow effect. The choice is yours!

HARDNESS

The Mohs hardness scale refers to how hard a substance is on a scale from 1 to 10. A part of what makes diamonds so appealing for engagement rings is the fact that they are made from the hardest substance on earth. If you are going to be wearing something forever, you want it to be durable! Yet when comparing diamonds to Moissanite, there is only a slight difference. While diamonds sit at a 10 on the Mohs scale, Moissanite is the second hardest material on earth sitting at a 9.25. Even under the roughest circumstances, you will not notice a difference. 

SUSTAINABILITY AND ETHICS

Diamonds are known to have questionable and, to some, downright horrifying ethical issues. After all, they are called Blood Diamonds for a reason. Diamond mining practices contribute to devastating water and land usage in areas that already do not have enough natural resources. Mining equipment emits a massive amount of pollutants into the air, soil, and local water supply.  Conversely, Moissanite involves none of these issues. There are no moral issues in relation to Moissanite as they are never mined for commercial sale, nor associated with bloody conflicts or environmental damage. Moissanite is an ethical alternative that protects human rights, the environment, and your wallet. 

If you would like to learn more about the social and environmental problems with diamonds and their shady backstory, you can click HERE

SUMMARY

At only a fraction of the cost, Moissanite is superior to diamonds in nearly every way. They are a dazzling gemstone that can stand up to the test of time. If you opt for a Moissanite engagement ring, you can wear it for life without concern for any damage whatsoever. Moreover, unlike it’s mined counterpart, a Moissanite stone is guaranteed to be sustainably sourced, produced under ethical conditions, and of the very highest quality.

So, what would your choice be?

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Considering a diamond alternative? Check out our large range of gorgeous Moissanite rings HERE, or dazzling cubic zirconia/sterling silver rings perfect for travel HERE!