A majority of people are convinced that there is no gemstone out there that shines brighter than a diamond. That’s not necessarily the truth. There are hundreds of different gemstones, many of which are still unknown – and shine much brighter than a diamond.
If we had to single out one of these gems in terms of what sparkles more than a diamond, our first choice would have to be moissanite. Have you ever seen this gemstone in a jewelry store? If not, we’re glad you’re here.
As you begin to scroll down, we’ll explain the characteristics of moissanite, whether or not it really sparkles more than a diamond, and see if there are any other alternatives you can rely on for that special sparkle.
Read on!
Moissanite Sparkle
First off, we have to say that moissanite CAN sparkle more than a diamond – and this is largely due to where it comes from and how it’s made. And in order to know that, you will have to get acquainted with the story of how this particular gemstone came to be.
The History Of Moissanite
Nearly fifty thousand years ago, somewhere in what is now the state of Arizona, a meteor hit the Earth’s surface; this area is now known as the so-called “Meteor Crater.”
Many years and centuries have passed, until finally, in 1893, someone set out to investigate this case.
Henri Moissan began to explore this meteor in greater detail, and soon enough, he came to the conclusion that there was something intriguing about its structure. Based on extensive research, Dr. Henry Moissan concluded that it was silicon carbide.
A little later, in 1905, the famous Tiffany & Co. decided to name this newly discovered gem after its discoverer, Henri Moissan. And in the following years, the official production of large crystals named moissanite began.
If you are familiar with this topic, then you know for sure that diamonds can come from many sources – but not coal. That is a very common misconception, and we’ve dealt with this topic in detail in our article on: Does Coal Become Diamond?
The Value Of Moissanite
The value of moissanite depends on how big the gemstone is, how many carats it has – and in what shape it is cut. On that note, the most common cuts seen in these gems are round, oval, and cushion. To bring you closer to the real value of moissanite, here’s a table with different moissanite cuts and their respective prices:
Round Moissanite
| Size | Carat | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 3 mm | 0.10 ct. | $40 |
| 4 mm | 0.25 ct. | $95 |
| 5 mm | 0.50 ct. | $212 |
| 6 mm | 0.75 ct. | $340 |
| 7 mm | 1.25 ct. | $570 |
Oval Moissanite
| Size | Carat | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5×3 mm | 0.29 ct | $140 |
| 7×5 mm | 0.94 ct. | $375 |
| 9×7 mm | 2.26 ct. | $1,005 |
| 10×8 mm | 2,94 ct. | $1,400 |
Cushion Moissanite
| Size | Carat | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5×5 mm | 0.65 ct. | $140 |
| 6×6 mm | 1.10 ct. | $275 |
| 7×7 mm | 1.80 ct. | $465 |
| 8×8 mm | 2.50. ct | $765 |
They may not be diamond-level expensive, but as you can see, moissanite is far from cheap. If you’re thinking of buying this gem for your loved one, you’ll have to save up a bit first.
Learn More: Can I Pass Off My Moissanite As A Diamond?
Moissanite Vs. Diamonds
There are differences between diamonds and moissanite in durability, brilliance, price, and source. Let’s go over each one, shall we?
Durability
Durability represents the ability to withstand pressure. In the case of diamonds, it most often refers to how easy it is to scratch the surface.
The durability of gemstones is measured on the Mohs scale. Here, diamonds have a smaller advantage because their hardness is rated at 10/10 – while moissanite ranks at 9.25/10.
It’s still impressive, but it’s not quite diamond-level impressive.
Since both gemstones have an excellent rating, they are suitable for everyday wear and are very popular in jewelry stores. Because of their durability, people massively opt for diamonds on their engagement and wedding rings.
Brilliance
Perhaps the most crucial part of this discussion is related to the sparkle – or brilliance of moissanite.
To be clear, brilliance refers to the gem’s inner radiance of light. The great news is that you can tell the difference between a diamond and moissanite if you concentrate on their individual shine.
As we mentioned earlier, moissanite sparkles more than a diamond. The bigger the crystal, the greater the chance that it will emit that particular “disco-ball light.” That’s mostly due to their composition.
Diamonds also sparkle – but a little less than moissanite. Also, there are three ways in which a diamond can shine; brilliance, rainbow color reflections, and light return.
Color
Color is another way to make a clear difference between moissanite and diamonds. People mostly believe that both of these gemstones should be colorless. However, this is not always the case.
Roughly 90% of moissanite are, indeed, colorless, and that 10% emit some grayish color, which is still transparent.
Size also plays a big role here: The bigger the moissanite, the easier it will be to notice if it is colorless or if it still has a gray shine to it. On the other hand, the most valuable diamonds are the ones that are colorless – but these precious stones can still reflect other colors such as yellowish, brownish, and even red.
Source
There’s not that big of a difference when it comes to the source of these two gemstones. We just mentioned how the first moissanite crystals were discovered.
However, with the development of technology, most of these gems are now lab-created.
Most people opt for these gemstones because they are eco-friendly. On the other hand, we know that diamonds come from various sources – from meteors to volcanoes.
Fortunately, this does not affect their market value in any way. Diamonds have always been popular and will likely remain so in the future.
Besides, even diamonds can be lab-created!
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Price
Even though its sparkle is brighter, moissanite is still significantly cheaper than a diamond. Let’s compare the two gemstones.
While 1-carat moissanite can easily be found for $600- $800, if you want a diamond, you will have to empty your wallet for another $2,000. As you can imagine, this can greatly influence the decision of someone who does not have such a flexible budget.
Will Moissanite Lose Its Shine? No! Although we understand your doubts:
Moissanite is noticeably cheaper than a diamond, and you’re probably worried about it being rated a bit worse when it comes to durability. Moissanite will never lose its sparkle, though. This gemstone is very durable, and the quality of its reflective properties will not let you down.
As we mentioned previously, both moissanite and diamonds are very common choices for people looking for an engagement or wedding ring.
Read Also:
Facts You Didn’t Know About Moissanite
In addition to sparkling more than a diamond, there are many other interesting facts about moissanite that you might not know. Here are just a few of them:
- Moissanite is heat resistant. Unlike some other jewels, moissanite is much more resistant to heat during the shaping process. That allows experts to produce fit-edge designs that are not possible with some other gemstones.
- Moissanite has two nicknames. This gemstone has two nicknames that are related to its origin; it’s often referred to as “Stardust” and “Space Diamond.”
- Moissanites are harder than rubies. For whatever reason, people have this misconception that moissanite is lighter than most gemstones. To everyone’s surprise, the hardness of this gem was rated at 9.25.
- Moissanite is rarer than a diamond. Yes! This gemstone is one of the rarest jewels on the planet. And since their origin is limited to meteors, they are now made in laboratories, which makes the process even more complicated.
Other Sparkling Alternatives
Moissanite is not the only gemstone out there that sparkles. There are many alternatives for you to consider – and we’ll mention the most famous ones below.
Sapphire
Sapphires have a rich history. The ancient Persians believed that these gems gave the sky its blue color. This gem was popular and highly sought after by great rulers and most of the aristocracy throughout history.
As for the exact origin, sapphires can be found anywhere around the world. However, most scientists link this jewel to Sri Lanka, where, in 2012, a sapphire weighing 42 kg was found.
One of the most popular sapphires is The Star of India. It is a sapphire that contains an amazing 563 carats, and it is one of the largest sapphires ever discovered. What makes the gem more valuable is the fact that it is a million years old. Yes, it sounds amazing.
Another famous sapphire was a gift from Prince Charles to Princess Diana; this gemstone had roughly about 18 carats. This jewel was passed down from generation to generation in the Royal Family, and it now belongs to The Duchess Of Cambridge.
In terms of the price of sapphires, it varies according to the color, size, and weight. For a 1 or 2-carats sapphire, you can expect a price of around $1000.
Sapphires are mostly blue, but they can have multiple shades. Some of the popular ones are:
- Indigo
- Twilight
- Royal
- Velvet
- Peacock
- Pastel
- Cornflower
Related Read: Diamond Vs. White Sapphire: Comparison Guide
Sphene
Sphene might be less well known, but it’s still a very important gemstone.
This is a jewel that is specific for its yellow-green color. It’s still called “titanite” because of its titanium content. The origin of this gem dates back to 1787, and it was not until around 1801 that it was given the name “sphene.”
The hardness of this gemstone is not so strong, and it’s rated 6.5 – but its shine is impossible to ignore. You can find this gemstone all over the world – Brazil, Burma, Kenya, Mexico, Sri Lanka, to name a few.
If you are interested in the value of this gemstone, the price is not that high. For sphenes of 1.64 carats, you can expect to pay somewhere around $264.
Although it’s known for its yellow color, sphenes can also be found in green, brown – and red hues. Sphenes that have over 5 carats shine remarkably, and you can easily afford them as a gift!
Demantoid Garnet
Demantoid garnet – which was originally named Alexandrite – was found in 1849 in Russia, Ural.
Initially, it was thought that this was an emerald. But as it turns out, it’s a gem that comes in a variety of colors – blue, green, red, and yellow.
A majority of mined demantoids are a little over 1 carat. A demantoid that has more than 2 carats in its composition is a very rare find. The market for this gemstone is not that large, either – and its shape is usually oval.
Over the centuries, people believed that this rare gemstone carried healing powers.
During the Medieval Ages, for example, it was believed that demantoids, when turned into a powder, could cure fever in seconds. Seems crazy, right?
Nevertheless, people went to the end of the world in search of this powerful jewel.
Final Thoughts
It is time to bring this topic of what sparkles more than a diamond to an end. So far, we’ve been able to conclude that there’s more than one gemstone that can shine brighter than the famous diamond.
However, moissanite stands out in this regard and has the brightest sparkle.
Moissanite bears a huge resemblance to a diamond, and the difference is hard to see with the naked eye. However, experts will be able to tell you whatever you’re interested in about these two jewels.
What makes moissanite different from a diamond is its rarity and price.
Moissanite is much rarer than diamond, and the process of making it is more complicated. Diamonds, on the other hand, are much more expensive, and price differences can be as high as $500.
In addition to moissanite, there are a couple of other gemstones that are shiny and valuable – such as sapphire, sphene, and demantoid garnet.
Read Also: What Makes Diamonds Lose Their Sparkle?
