Lab-grown diamonds provide the authentic diamond experience with classic brilliance, while moissanite delivers maximum sparkle with distinctive rainbow fire at an even lower price point.
The choice comes down to your priorities: authentic diamond properties with traditional elegance, or maximum value with unique brilliance that's unmistakably different from diamonds.
Understanding What Each Stone Actually Is
Lab-grown diamonds are genuine diamonds created in controlled laboratory conditions using HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) or CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) methods. They're chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds - pure crystallised carbon with a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale. Professional jewellers cannot distinguish them from natural diamonds without specialised equipment.
Moissanite is a completely different gemstone composed of silicon carbide, originally discovered in a meteorite crater in 1893 by French scientist Henri Moissan. While it bears a striking resemblance to diamonds, it's a distinct mineral with unique properties. Natural moissanite is extremely rare, so virtually all moissanite used in jewellery today is lab-created.
The fundamental difference: lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds made in labs, while moissanite is a different gemstone that happens to look similar to diamonds.
The Visual Experience: Brilliance vs Fire
The most noticeable difference between these stones lies in how they interact with light, and it's more dramatic than many people expect.
Lab-grown diamonds exhibit classic diamond brilliance, bright white light reflections that create the timeless sparkle diamonds are famous for. This is identical to natural diamonds, offering the traditional elegance that people associate with diamond engagement rings.
Moissanite displays significantly more "fire", the colourful rainbow flashes that occur when light disperses through the stone. With a higher refractive index (2.65-2.69) compared to diamonds (2.42), moissanite creates about twice as much colourful sparkle as diamonds. This creates what some describe as a "disco ball effect" or "firework-like" brilliance.
The technical reason for this difference lies in how each stone bends light: diamonds are singly refractive (light passes through in one direction), while moissanite is doubly refractive (light splits into two rays). This double refraction contributes to moissanite's distinctive rainbow sparkle.
The rainbow fire in moissanite is particularly noticeable in larger stones and certain lighting conditions, where it may exhibit warm undertones that contrast with diamond's consistently white appearance. While many people love this extra sparkle, others prefer the classic white brilliance of diamonds. However, if you're buying D VVS1 moissanites, you're going to get a moissanite that looks like a very high quality diamond.
Durability and Daily Wear Considerations
Both stones are excellent for daily wear, but diamonds have a slight edge in durability.
Lab-grown diamonds score a perfect 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them the hardest known material. They're virtually scratch-proof and extremely resistant to damage, ideal for engagement rings worn every day for decades.
Moissanite scores 9.25 on the Mohs scale, making it harder than sapphires and rubies but slightly softer than diamonds. While still excellent for daily wear, moissanite is theoretically more susceptible to scratching over very long periods, though this difference is minimal in practical terms.
Both stones maintain their brilliance indefinitely and are suitable for heirloom jewellery that can be passed down through generations.
Pricing and Value Comparison
The cost difference between these stones is substantial, with moissanite offering significantly more size for your budget.
Current Australian Pricing (2025):
- 1-carat moissanite: $800-$900
- 1-carat lab-grown diamond: $1,300-$3,000
- 1-carat natural diamond: $8,000-$15,000+
Lab-grown diamonds maintain better recognition and perceived value. They're graded using the same 4 C's standards as natural diamonds, while moissanite is typically graded only on colour and cut.
Certification and Quality Standards
Lab-grown diamonds receive identical certification to natural diamonds from respected institutions like GIA and IGI. They're graded on the full 4 C's scale (cut, colour, clarity, carat) and can achieve the same quality grades as natural diamonds.
Moissanite is graded differently, typically only on colour and cut quality. Most moissanite is essentially flawless in clarity due to the controlled creation process. Quality grades include Premium (G-H colour equivalent) and Super Premium (D-F colour equivalent).
Both stones share similar thermal conductivity properties, which is why older diamond testers that rely only on heat conduction may mistake moissanite for diamond. However, modern gemological equipment can definitively distinguish between them by testing electrical conductivity and analysing their different optical properties using specialised instruments.
This difference in grading reflects the fundamental distinction between diamond (a precious stone with established standards) and moissanite (a diamond alternative with its own characteristics).
View our lab-grown diamond engagement ring collection
Colour Options and Appearance
Lab-grown diamonds offer the full spectrum of diamond colours, from completely colourless (D grade) through to fancy colours including blue, pink, yellow, and green. They follow the same colour grading system as natural diamonds.
Moissanite traditionally came in limited colours, primarily colourless and near-colourless options. Some moissanite can exhibit a slight yellow or green tint, particularly in larger stones or under certain lighting conditions. However, advances in technology have produced high-quality colourless moissanite that appears white to most viewers.
The colour consistency in premium moissanite is generally excellent due to the controlled manufacturing process.
Cultural Significance and Social Perception
Lab-grown diamonds carry the cultural weight and social recognition of diamonds. They represent the traditional symbol of love and commitment that diamonds have embodied for generations. Most people consider them "real diamonds" because they are chemically identical to natural ones.
Moissanite represents modern practicality and value-conscious choices. While beautiful, it's generally recognised as a diamond alternative rather than a diamond itself. Some people appreciate its unique properties and ethical certainty, while others prefer the traditional significance of diamonds.
The social perception varies significantly by individual and community. Younger generations tend to be more accepting of diamond alternatives, while traditional preferences may favour the authentic diamond experience.
Environmental and Ethical Considerations
Both stones offer significant advantages over traditional diamond mining:
Lab-grown diamonds eliminate the environmental impact of mining while providing identical stones. The energy requirements for production vary by facility, with some companies using renewable energy sources to minimise carbon footprint.
Moissanite also avoids mining impacts and generally requires less energy to produce than lab-grown diamonds. However, like all lab-created stones, the environmental benefit depends on the energy sources used in production.
Both options provide complete transparency in sourcing and eliminate any concerns about conflict or ethical issues associated with mining.
Making Your Decision: Key Considerations
Choose lab-grown diamonds if you want:
- Authentic diamond properties and recognition
- Classic white diamond brilliance
- Traditional cultural significance
- Professional certification using diamond standards
- Investment in something recognised as a "real diamond"
- Better long-term value retention
Choose moissanite if you want:
- Maximum size and quality within your budget
- Distinctive extra sparkle and fire
- The most affordable option for large stones
- A unique stone that's still diamond-like
- Complete transparency about what you're buying
- Modern practicality over traditional significance
Which Stone Is "Better"?
Neither stone is objectively better - they serve different priorities and preferences. Lab-grown diamonds offer the authentic diamond experience at a fraction of natural diamond costs, while moissanite offers maximum value and distinctive beauty as its own gemstone.
The "better" choice depends entirely on what matters most to you: authentic diamond properties, maximum budget efficiency, visual preferences, or cultural significance.
Setting and Design Considerations
Both stones work beautifully in all engagement ring styles:
Solitaire settings showcase the inherent beauty of either stone, allowing the brilliance to take centre stage.
Halo designs can enhance the apparent size of lab-grown diamonds or amplify the already impressive fire of moissanite.
Vintage styles work equally well with both stones, though lab-grown diamonds may feel more historically authentic.
Modern designs complement both stones, with moissanite's unique sparkle particularly stunning in contemporary settings.
The choice of setting often comes down to personal style preferences rather than stone-specific requirements.
Long-term Satisfaction Considerations
Lab-grown diamond owners typically report satisfaction with having "real diamonds" at accessible prices, appreciating the authentic diamond experience without the premium cost.
Moissanite owners often love the distinctive sparkle and exceptional value, particularly when they wanted larger stones than diamonds would allow within their budget.
Dissatisfaction tends to occur when buyers don't understand what they're purchasing - expecting moissanite to look identical to diamonds or assuming lab-grown diamonds will hold the same value as natural ones.
Professional Consultation Benefits
With such different properties and value propositions, seeing these stones in person becomes particularly valuable. A consultation allows you to:
- Compare the visual differences in brilliance and fire
- Understand size options within your specific budget
- See how each stone performs in different lighting
- Experience the quality differences firsthand
- Make an informed decision based on actual preferences rather than assumptions
Most people find their preferences become much clearer after seeing both stones side by side, where the different types of brilliance and any subtle colour variations become immediately apparent. The side-by-side comparison reveals differences that aren't always obvious when viewing stones individually.
Thanks for reading!
Jared & Brie
