The short answer: yes, moissanite necklaces are absolutely worth it in 2025. But whether they're worth it for you depends on what you value in jewellery. Let's break down exactly what you're getting, what you're not, and how to decide if moissanite is the right choice for your necklace.
What Actually Makes Something "Worth It"?
When you're considering any piece of jewellery, you're weighing up several factors: beauty, durability, cost, ethics, and how it fits your lifestyle. Moissanite performs exceptionally well in most of these areas, but it's important to understand where it excels and where it might not meet everyone's expectations.
The Practical Reality of Moissanite Necklaces
Durability for Daily Wear Moissanite rates 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it the second hardest gemstone after diamond. For necklaces, this matters because unlike rings that get knocked about constantly, necklaces still need to withstand regular wear, clasping and unclasping, and occasional tugs.
In practical terms, this means your moissanite necklace will resist scratches, maintain its polish, and won't chip easily. You can wear it daily without worrying about damage - something you can't say for softer stones like emerald or opal.
How It Handles Light and Movement Moissanite has a higher refractive index than diamond (2.65-2.69 vs 2.42), which means it bends light more dramatically. In a necklace, this creates more of what's called "fire" - those rainbow flashes you see when light hits the stone.
Some people love this extra sparkle, others find it too flashy compared to diamond's whiter light. For necklaces specifically, this fire is quite noticeable because the pendant moves as you walk and talk, constantly catching different angles of light.
The Maintenance Reality Moissanite doesn't cloud over time like some diamond simulants, and it doesn't require special cleaning. Warm soapy water and a soft brush will keep it looking brilliant. It's also safe in ultrasonic cleaners, which makes professional cleaning simple.
The Cost Comparison That Actually Matters
Let's be realistic about pricing. A quality 1-carat moissanite necklace typically costs between $900-1,500 AUD depending on the setting and metal choice. A comparable diamond necklace (D colour, VVS1 clarity) runs around $13,500 AUD.
That's a significant difference, but the question isn't just about the upfront cost. Consider:
- Replacement anxiety: If you lose a moissanite necklace, replacement costs hundreds rather than thousands
- Insurance costs: Lower value means lower insurance premiums
- Opportunity cost: The money saved could go towards other priorities
- Size flexibility: The same budget gets you a much larger stone
What You Need to Know About Quality Grades
Not all moissanite is created equal. Quality varies significantly between different grades:
D VVS1 moissanite (the highest grade) appears completely colourless and virtually flawless. Lower grades can show yellow, green, or grey tinting that becomes more obvious in natural light.
For necklaces, quality matters more than you might think. The pendant sits prominently and catches light from multiple angles throughout the day. Lower grade stones can look cloudy or off-colour, which becomes obvious when worn.
The Honest Drawbacks
Resale Value Moissanite doesn't hold resale value like diamonds. If you're thinking of this as an investment that you might sell later, diamonds are a better choice. Moissanite is for keeping and enjoying.
Social Perceptions While acceptance has grown enormously, some people still prefer the traditional status and symbolism of diamonds. This is entirely personal - many people now prefer moissanite for ethical reasons, but it's worth considering your own feelings about this.
Different Sparkle Style The extra fire means moissanite looks different from diamonds. It's not "fake" - it's just different. Some lighting conditions emphasise the rainbow flashes more than others.
Necklace-Specific Considerations
Chain Quality Matters A beautiful stone deserves a quality chain. Look for solid construction rather than hollow chains that can dent or break. The clasp should be secure but easy to operate.
Length and Proportion The size of your moissanite should suit the chain length and your body proportions. A large stone on a short chain can look overwhelming, while a tiny stone on a long chain might get lost.
Layering Potential If you like layering necklaces, moissanite works beautifully with other pieces. The consistent quality of lab-created stones means they'll coordinate well with other jewellery.
When Moissanite Makes Perfect Sense
Choose moissanite if you:
- Want maximum sparkle and fire
- Prefer ethical, lab-created stones
- Value getting more size for your budget
- Like the idea of worry-free daily wear
- Appreciate modern alternatives to traditional choices
When You Might Prefer Alternatives
Consider other options if you:
- Want the highest possible resale value
- Prefer the pure white light of diamonds
- Place high value on natural formation
- Need the social recognition that comes with diamonds
- Are choosing a family heirloom piece
The Bottom Line
Moissanite necklaces offer exceptional beauty, durability, and value. They're particularly well-suited to people who want stunning jewellery without the premium cost or ethical concerns of mined diamonds.
The question isn't whether moissanite is "as good as" diamond - it's whether moissanite's unique properties align with what you want from your necklace. For many people in 2025, the answer is a definitive yes.
If you value brilliance, ethical sourcing, and practical luxury, moissanite delivers on all fronts. The money saved can go towards better settings, larger stones, or simply other priorities in your life.
The key is choosing quality moissanite from reputable sources and being honest about your own preferences and priorities. When you do that, moissanite necklaces represent some of the best value in fine jewellery today.
If you're ready to explore moissanite necklaces, our current picks are the Abbey marquise pendant, a truly unique shape that stands out from the crowd, and the Isadora oval pendant, which is incredibly popular right now for its elegant, elongating effect.
You can view our complete moissanite necklace collection to see all available styles.
