Look, we get asked this constantly, and honestly? Most people want the real answer, not some sanitised marketing version. So here it is, the actual downsides of moissanite that nobody talks about.
The Quick Answer
The biggest downside isn't technical, it's personal. How do YOU feel about wearing a stone that isn't a diamond? Because that internal feeling matters way more than any technical specification ever will.
But let's dig into the real stuff you need to know.
Quality Actually Matters (More Than You Think)
Here's something most people don't realise... moissanite can be made cheaply, and if you're not buying good quality, you're probably going to be let down.
Just like anything manufactured, you get what you pay for. Cheap moissanite is made with poor equipment and less skilled technicians. Quality moissanite costs more because it's made with better equipment and better laboratory technicians, it's a craft like anything else.
What this means for you:
- Cheap moissanite looks cheap, cloudy, dull, obvious
- Quality D VVS1 moissanite looks incredible, clear, brilliant, will be mistaken for diamonds due to the D whiteness
- The price difference is worth it if you're going to do this
- Don't cheap out thinking "moissanite is moissanite." It's not.
It Doesn't Look Exactly Like a Diamond
If you want to replicate the exact 100% look of a diamond, you're better off going with lab diamonds. Here's why:
Moissanite has more brilliance, which means more rainbow sparkle under certain lights. Put a moissanite ring next to a diamond ring in the same setting, and yeah, you might be able to tell the difference.
The rainbow fire thing:
- Some people love it (more sparkle = more beautiful)
- Some people want the exact diamond look (pure white light)
- It's most noticeable in larger stones
- Under certain lighting, it can look different
This isn't necessarily bad, it just depends what you want.
Zero Resale Value (But Here's the Reality Check)
Let's be real about this one. Moissanite has no resale value. Neither do lab diamonds. And unless you're buying a specific size and cut, natural diamonds have pretty much no resale value either.
You know what you'll get selling a natural diamond? Maybe 20% of what you paid, not 80%. It's very hard to sell any gemstone for what you think it's worth.
So what does this actually mean?
- Don't buy moissanite as an investment (it's not)
- Don't buy it thinking you can sell it later (you can't)
- Buy it because you love it and want to wear it
The Real Downsides Are Personal
Okay, here's where it gets real. The actual downsides of moissanite are about how you feel about it:
The Explanation Factor
When someone asks about your ring, you have to tell them it's moissanite. And most people don't know what moissanite is. You'll end up explaining it's "not a diamond, but it's from meteorites" or whatever.
Some people are totally fine with this. Others feel weird about it.
The Family Heirloom Thing
If you want something that represents family tradition or something to pass down generations, moissanite won't have that same significance. It's not going to carry the same emotional weight as your grandmother's diamond ring.
The Guilt Factor
This is the big one. If you're someone who really wanted a diamond but settled for moissanite because of budget, and that's going to weigh on you, don't do it.
If you're going to feel guilty wearing it, or anxious when people ask about it, or secretly wish it was a diamond every time you look at it, just wait and save for what you actually want.
The honest question: Are you choosing moissanite because you genuinely love it, or because you can't afford what you really want?
The Status Symbol Reality
I'm not going to sugarcoat this, if you want a stone because of the status symbol, moissanite won't solve that internal desire.
Moissanite isn't going to give you that "I'm wearing a 15K ring" feeling. It's not going to impress people the way a diamond might. If that matters to you, you're better off with a lab diamond or saving for a natural diamond.
When Moissanite Is Perfect
But here's the thing, if you're someone who wants more brilliance and sparkle, and this price point works for your life stage, moissanite is beautiful. It's its own stone. It rivals diamonds because it's different, not because it's trying to be one.
Choose moissanite if:
- You love the extra sparkle and fire
- You appreciate it as its own beautiful stone
- The price point makes sense for your life right now
- You're not trying to impress anyone else
- You want something ethical and lab-created
- Can be used as a travel ring if your main ring is expensive and you don't want to risk it
Don't choose moissanite if:
- You really want a diamond and will always feel like you settled (honestly this is a big one)
- Status and recognition matter to you
- You'll feel guilty or anxious wearing it
- You want something for family heirloom purposes
The Sizing Trick
Here's a pro tip: if you want moissanite to look more "diamond-like," choose a smaller, more reserved size. A 1-carat moissanite looks very real. A 3-carat moissanite is going to show more of that rainbow fire that gives it away. However, our D VVS1 collection is as diamond-like as you can get in moissanite.
The Bottom Line
The real downside of moissanite isn't about hardness or brilliance or any technical spec. It's about your personal relationship with the stone and what you want it to represent in your life.
If you love moissanite for what it is, a beautiful, brilliant, ethical stone with its own story, then there's no downside. But if you're trying to convince yourself it's "just as good as a diamond" when what you really want is a diamond, then yeah, you're going to have problems.
Be honest with yourself about what you want. Both choices are valid, but you need to choose the one that's going to make you happy every time you look at your hand.
What This Means for Your Decision
Look, we could talk about technical specs all day, but the most important question is: how are you going to feel about your choice in 5 years? In 10 years?
If moissanite makes you excited and you love the extra sparkle, go for it. If you're going to always wonder "what if" about the diamond, then wait and save for what you actually want.
Your ring should make you happy every single day. That's the only spec that actually matters.
Want to see what quality D VVS1 moissanite actually looks like? Check out our collection and decide for yourself.