Think all sparkling engagement rings are created equal? Think again. We uncover the surprising differences between two of today’s most exciting gemstones and why the traditional diamond isn’t your only option.
Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but there’s another gemstone giving them some serious competition in the sparkle department.
Meet moissanite.
If you’re shopping for an engagement ring, chances are you’ve come across both lab-grown diamonds and moissanite. They’re stunning, durable and increasingly popular with couples looking for something special.
But here’s what might surprise you: moissanite can produce more colourful flashes of light than a diamond. And it generally comes with a smaller price tag.
Intrigued? We asked the experts at Moi Moi Fine Jewellery to explain the differences, bust a few myths and help you find your perfect match.
The Hattie Oval Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring features an elegant oval-cut lab-grown diamond, complemented by a delicate tapered band and sparkling hidden details. Image courtesy of Moi Moi Fine Jewellery.
First Things First: Is Moissanite Actually a Diamond?
Short answer? No. And that’s exactly what makes it interesting.
Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. Made from carbon, they have the same chemical, physical and optical properties as mined diamonds. The difference is where they’re created in a laboratory rather than deep beneath the Earth’s surface.
Moissanite, on the other hand, is an entirely different gemstone made from silicon carbide.
And it’s certainly no lightweight in the jewellery world.
“A lab grown diamond is made of carbon, just like a mined diamond. Supernova Moissanite, which is our own range, is silicon carbide. Its hardness is 9.25, second only to diamond among gemstones used in fine jewellery,” explains Lauren Sommer, Co-Founder of Moi Moi Fine Jewellery.
So while they might look like close cousins, these two gemstones have very different personalities.
The Annerley SUPERNOVA Moissanite Engagement Ring showcases a brilliant round moissanite centre stone in a classic six-prong setting, paired with a delicate knife-edge band. Image courtesy of Moi Moi Fine Jewellery.
The Sparkle Showdown: Which Stone Steals the Spotlight?
Now for the fun part.
If you love a little extra sparkle, this is where things get interesting.
Diamonds are famous for their classic white brilliance, punctuated by flashes of colour. It’s that timeless, sophisticated sparkle that has captivated couples for generations.
Moissanite? It likes to put on a show.
Thanks to its optical properties, moissanite produces more pronounced rainbow flashes, known in the jewellery world as fire.
Under certain lighting, particularly spotlights, the effect can be spectacular.
“A lab grown diamond’s brilliance is more classic, a cooler, quieter sparkle. Both are beautiful. They are just different characters of brilliance,” says Lauren.
Think understated elegance versus a little extra razzle-dazzle.
Neither is better. It all depends on what makes your heart skip a beat.
The Harmony Oval Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring combines the timeless brilliance of an oval-cut lab-grown diamond with an elegant, diamond-accented band. Image courtesy of Moi Moi Fine Jewellery.
Beautiful Today. Beautiful in 30 Years?
An engagement ring isn’t just for the proposal photos. It’s something you’ll hopefully be wearing for decades.
So how do these gemstones stand up to real life?
Very well, actually.
Diamonds score a perfect 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them exceptionally resistant to scratching.
Moissanite isn’t far behind at 9.25 harder than many other gemstones commonly used in jewellery.
Both are excellent choices for everyday wear, although no gemstone is completely indestructible.
And here’s another reassuring fact: moissanite doesn’t lose its natural sparkle simply because it gets older.
Like diamonds, it may need an occasional clean to remove everyday build-up, but its inherent optical properties remain the same.
In other words, with a little care, your ring can keep sparkling long after the wedding cake has been eaten.
The Hattie Oval SUPERNOVA Moissanite Engagement Ring features a luminous oval-cut moissanite centre stone, accented by a sparkling under-rail and bridge on a refined tapered band. Image courtesy of Moi Moi Fine Jewellery.
The Certification Question: Does It Really Matter?
If you’ve started researching engagement rings, you’ve probably encountered the famous four Cs: cut, colour, clarity and carat.
These are the characteristics used to evaluate diamonds, including lab-grown diamonds.
Moi Moi’s lab-grown diamonds come with IGI grading reports, giving buyers detailed information about their chosen stone.
Moissanite is different.
Because it isn’t a diamond, it isn’t graded using the diamond four-Cs system. Instead, Moi Moi’s SUPERNOVA Moissanite comes with a certificate of authenticity.
As Lauren explains:
“It is not a quality gap. Moissanite is a different gemstone in its own right, so it doesn’t get graded like a diamond, because it is not a diamond.”
The takeaway? If formal diamond grading is important to you, a lab-grown diamond may be your match. If your priority is how the stone looks and performs, don’t overlook moissanite.
The Annerley Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring celebrates timeless simplicity with a round lab-grown diamond in a six-prong setting, finished with a slender knife-edge band. Image courtesy of Moi Moi Fine Jewellery.
The Price Difference Might Surprise You
Here’s where choosing a ring gets particularly interesting.
Moissanite is generally more affordable than a comparable lab-grown diamond, meaning your engagement ring budget could stretch further than you imagined.
A bigger centre stone? A more elaborate setting? Perhaps a little more money left for the honeymoon?
Suddenly, there are possibilities.
But don’t make the mistake of thinking moissanite is simply the budget alternative.
“People assume moissanite is what you buy when a diamond is out of reach. That is not why our clients choose it. They choose it for how it performs in the light,” explains Levon Callinan, Moi Moi’s Melbourne Store Manager.
That’s an important distinction.
For some couples, moissanite isn’t a compromise. It’s their first choice.
And for others, nothing quite matches the appeal of a diamond.
The beauty of having options is that you get to decide what matters most.
The Rosewood Round SUPERNOVA Moissanite Engagement Ring features a round moissanite centre stone, elevated above a delicate band adorned with sparkling accent stones. Image courtesy of Moi Moi Fine Jewellery.
So, Are You a Diamond Girl or a Moissanite Girl?
Still undecided? Here’s our quick guide.
You might fall in love with a lab-grown diamond if…
- You adore that timeless, classic diamond sparkle.
- You want a genuine diamond without choosing a mined stone.
- An independent diamond grading report matters to you.
- You’re looking for maximum scratch resistance.
Moissanite might steal your heart if…
- You love plenty of sparkle and dazzling rainbow flashes.
- You want a beautiful, durable gemstone for everyday wear.
- You’d love to maximise your budget or explore a larger stone.
- You’re drawn to something a little different from a traditional diamond.
And remember, there’s no rule that says an engagement ring has to contain a diamond.
It’s your ring. Your style. Your love story.
Our Advice? Let Your Eyes Decide.
You can compare photographs, read reviews and research gemstones until you’re seeing sparkles in your sleep.
But there’s one thing that beats all the research in the world.
Seeing them side by side.
“The best way to decide is to see both in person, under proper lighting,” says Lauren.
At Moi Moi Fine Jewellery, couples can compare lab-grown diamonds and SUPERNOVA Moissanite in person, explore different cuts and settings, and discover which stone truly speaks to them.
You might walk in convinced you’re a diamond girl and walk out completely smitten with moissanite.
Or the other way around.
Because when it comes to choosing your forever ring, the only sparkle that really matters is the one that makes you smile every time you look at your hand.
Discover your perfect engagement ring at Moi Moi Fine Jewellery, where you can explore lab-grown diamonds and SUPERNOVA Moissanite side by side. Image courtesy of Moi Moi Fine Jewellery.
Ready to find your perfect engagement ring?
Explore the collections at Moi Moi Fine Jewellery or book a personal consultation to see lab-grown diamonds and SUPERNOVA Moissanite side by side.