When shopping for a brilliant, ethical, and affordable gemstone, two popular contenders often come up: lab grown diamonds and moissanite. Both offer stunning sparkle and appeal, but they are not the same. Understanding their differences in composition, appearance, durability, price, and symbolism can help you make the right choice for your needs—whether it’s an engagement ring or a meaningful piece of fine jewelry.
What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?
Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds created in a laboratory using High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) methods. They have the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as natural diamonds. The only difference is origin—lab grown diamonds are made above ground, not mined from it.
What Is Moissanite?
Moissanite is a gemstone made of silicon carbide. Originally discovered in a meteor crater, natural moissanite is extremely rare, so nearly all moissanite available today is lab created. While it is not a diamond, moissanite has gained popularity for its high brilliance and fire, making it a dazzling alternative to diamonds.
Sparkle and Appearance: Brilliance vs. Fire
- Lab Grown Diamonds exhibit the classic brilliance and scintillation of mined diamonds, offering a white sparkle that most associate with traditional diamonds.
- Moissanite, on the other hand, is known for its intense fire—the dispersion of light into rainbow colors. Some people love this colorful sparkle, while others find it too “disco-ball” like under bright lighting.
If you prefer a traditional diamond look, a lab grown diamond is the better choice. If you like more colorful flashes and want to stand out, moissanite may suit your taste.
Durability and Hardness
- Lab Grown Diamonds score a 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making them the hardest known natural or synthetic material. They’re perfect for daily wear and highly resistant to scratches.
- Moissanite scores a 9.25, which is also extremely durable and suitable for everyday jewelry. While slightly softer than diamonds, moissanite is still harder than most gemstones, including sapphires and rubies.
Both stones are great for engagement rings or long-term wear, but diamonds edge out slightly in scratch resistance.
Cost Comparison
- Moissanite is generally more affordable than lab grown diamonds. For example, a 1-carat moissanite can cost a few hundred dollars, while a lab grown diamond of similar size and quality may cost over $1,000.
- Lab Grown Diamonds are still more affordable than mined diamonds (30–50% less), but they carry a higher price tag than moissanite due to their diamond authenticity and grading.
If you’re budget-conscious and love sparkle, moissanite offers more size for less money.
Certification and Grading
- Lab Grown Diamonds are graded and certified by reputable gemological labs like GIA or IGI, with detailed reports on the 4Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat.
- Moissanite is typically not graded the same way as diamonds, but quality tiers (like Forever One or Premium Grade) are used by some brands to denote color and clarity.
For buyers who want a stone with certified attributes, lab grown diamonds provide more formal documentation.
Ethical and Environmental Impact
Both moissanite and lab grown diamonds are ethical and environmentally friendly alternatives to mined diamonds:
- Lab grown diamonds avoid the destructive mining practices and potential human rights issues associated with some natural diamonds.
- Moissanite, being lab created and not a mined material at all, has an equally low environmental footprint.
Either choice is excellent for eco-conscious consumers.
Symbolism and Personal Meaning
- Lab Grown Diamonds carry the same traditional symbolism as mined diamonds—eternity, strength, and commitment—making them a favored choice for engagements.
- Moissanite, being a distinct gemstone, doesn’t share diamond symbolism but has gained modern appeal for its affordability and brilliance.
If tradition matters to you or your partner, a lab grown diamond might feel more meaningful. If uniqueness or budget is more important, moissanite offers an attractive option.
Conclusion: Which One Should You Choose?
The best choice depends on your priorities:
- Choose lab grown diamonds if you want a traditional, certified, and authentic diamond with ethical sourcing.
- Choose moissanite if you prefer intense fire, lower cost, and don’t mind that it’s a different stone altogether.
Both options are beautiful, responsible, and durable—you simply can’t go wrong. Let your personal taste, budget, and values guide your final decision.
