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Diamond comparison

When choosing a gemstone for an engagement ring, pendant, or any piece of fine jewelry, understanding the differences between Moissanite, lab-grown diamonds, and natural diamonds can help you make an informed decision. Here's a detailed comparison of these three options:

Category Natural Diamonds Lab-Grown Diamonds Moissanite
Origin Natural diamonds are formed over billions of years under high-pressure, high-temperature conditions deep within the Earth’s mantle. They are brought to the surface through volcanic eruptions. Lab-grown diamonds are created using high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods that replicate the natural diamond formation process. Moissanite is a gemstone originally discovered in a meteor crater, but today it is primarily synthesized in laboratories due to its rarity in nature.
Brilliance Natural diamonds are celebrated for their unparalleled brilliance and fire, resulting from their unique crystal structure. Lab-grown diamonds have the same optical properties as natural diamonds, offering the classic sparkle and brilliance diamonds are known for. Moissanite is known for its exceptional brilliance, exhibiting a different type of sparkle compared to diamonds. It has a higher refractive index (2.65 – 2.69) than diamonds, giving it a more intense, rainbow-like sparkle.
Color They come in a wide range of colors, including the rare and highly prized pink, blue, and yellow diamonds, with colorless diamonds being the most popular for jewelry. These diamonds can be produced in various colors, including colorless. High-quality lab-grown diamonds are often indistinguishable from natural diamonds without specialized equipment. Typically, moissanite is colorless or near-colorless, although it may have subtle tints. High-quality moissanites can be nearly indistinguishable from diamonds to the untrained eye.
Hardness With a Mohs scale rating of 10, natural diamonds are the hardest known natural material, ensuring excellent resistance to scratches. Lab-grown diamonds score a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale, just like natural diamonds, ensuring exceptional hardness and scratch resistance. Moissanite scores 9.25 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it extremely durable and suitable for everyday wear.
Toughness They are extremely durable and suitable for everyday wear. They have the same toughness as natural diamonds, making them highly durable. It is also very tough, resistant to scratching and chipping.
Cost Natural diamonds are generally the most expensive option due to their rarity and the extensive processes involved in mining, cutting, and distributing them. Lab-grown diamonds are typically 20-40% less expensive than natural diamonds of comparable size and quality due to the controlled production process and reduced supply chain costs. Moissanite is generally more affordable than both natural and lab-grown diamonds, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers.
Environmental Impact The mining of natural diamonds has a significant environmental impact, including habitat destruction, soil erosion, and carbon emissions. Ethical and sustainable sourcing practices have become a focus to mitigate these effects, but they vary widely across the industry. Lab-grown diamonds have a significantly lower environmental impact compared to mined diamonds, as they do not require extensive mining operations. However, the environmental footprint can vary depending on the energy sources used in their production. Being lab-created, moissanite has a relatively low environmental impact compared to mined diamonds.