Square 0.5 carat per gemstone Moissanite Tennis Bracelet in Sterling Silver

Moissanite is a gemstone made of silicon carbide (SiC). It was first discovered in 1893 by the French chemist Henri Moissan in a meteorite crater in Arizona. Initially, he thought he had discovered a new mineral, but later, it was confirmed to be silicon carbide. Due to its rarity in nature, most moissanite used in jewelry today is lab-grown.

Moissanite is often marketed as an alternative to diamonds because of its remarkable brilliance and visual similarities to diamonds. However, it has distinct properties that set it apart. Here's a detailed breakdown:

1. Composition:

• Moissanite is made from silicon carbide (SiC), which is a compound of silicon and carbon. The version used in jewelry is often lab-created, as natural moissanite is incredibly rare and difficult to find in large enough quantities for commercial use.

2. Appearance:

• Moissanite is known for its exceptional brilliance—even more so than diamonds. Its refractive index (how it bends light) is higher than diamonds, which gives it a more intense sparkle, often described as "fire" (the dispersion of light into various colors).
• Unlike diamonds, which are typically colorless or near colorless, moissanite can sometimes exhibit a rainbow-colored sparkle in certain lighting, especially if the moissanite is cut in certain shapes (like round or oval).
• Its clarity is often very high, with most moissanites being free of visible inclusions.

3. Hardness:

• Moissanite is quite hard, scoring 9.25 on the Mohs scale of hardness, which makes it one of the hardest gemstones. While it is not as hard as diamonds (which score 10), moissanite is still highly durable and suitable for everyday wear, making it a great alternative to diamonds for engagement rings and other jewelry.

4. Price:

• Moissanite is significantly more affordable than diamonds, often costing 10-15% of the price of a diamond of similar size. The price difference makes moissanite an attractive option for people seeking a diamond-like look without the high cost.

5. Durability:

• Moissanite is highly durable due to its hardness and resistance to scratching, making it perfect for rings and other jewelry that will see daily wear.
• Unlike cubic zirconia (another diamond simulant), which can wear out and lose its shine over time, moissanite retains its brilliance for many years.

6. Environmental and Ethical Considerations:

• Since most moissanite is lab-grown, it is an ethical and sustainable choice. The process of growing moissanite in a lab does not involve the environmental damage associated with diamond mining. It also avoids issues like conflict diamonds (diamonds that are mined in war zones and sold to finance armed conflict).

7. Uses:

• Moissanite is primarily used in fine jewelry, particularly engagement rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, because of its diamond-like appearance and affordability.
• It is also used in some industrial applications due to its hardness, like cutting and grinding tools.

8. Moissanite vs. Diamond:

• Brilliance: Moissanite is more brilliant than diamonds due to its higher refractive index. While diamonds have "fire", moissanite has a more pronounced rainbow effect, which can sometimes be more noticeable than diamonds.
• Hardness: Diamonds are harder (10 on the Mohs scale), but moissanite (9.25) is still very hard and durable.
• Cost: Moissanite is much more affordable than diamonds—often a fraction of the price.
• Color: Moissanite can sometimes show a slight yellow or greenish tint, especially in larger stones, whereas diamonds are often colorless or near-colorless (depending on their grade).

9. How to Identify Moissanite:

• Since moissanite has more brilliance and fire than a diamond, it’s often easy to tell the difference by how the stone sparkles.
• However, with the right cut and under certain lighting, it can be hard to distinguish moissanite from a diamond without specialized equipment, such as a diamond tester or moissanite tester, as both share similar hardness and appearance.

Moissanite Rings in Diamond Stars

Our moissanite rings cater to all personal styles. Whether you prefer the classic oval cut Bethany or the stunning marquise cut Stephanie, we have options to fit every lifestyle and aesthetic.

Moissanite rings offer a significant cost-saving compared to mined diamonds, especially for those seeking higher carat weights.

At Diamond Stars, our moissanite stones are carefully selected for their clarity grade of VVS1-2, their color grade of D color, and excellent cut grade, ensuring a brilliant shine comparable to diamonds. 

A GRA Moissanite Report is provided with Moissanite rings over 0.5 carats.

Manufacturing time

Usually our manufacturing time is estimated to be 1-7 working days.

We offer free shipping to all regions in New Zealand. Upon completion of the manufacturing process, we will dispatch the item through a courier service, with delivery times varying between 1-10 business days depending on your location. A tracking number will be provided via email once your package is shipped, allowing you to track your shipment. Additional courier fees will apply for international customers.