Moissanite vs. Diamond

For centuries couples around the world have worn wedding rings as a symbol of their love and the commitment to each other. Although diamonds were at times used for engagement rings, it wasn't until the discovery of the Kimberley diamond mine in South Africa in 1870's that diamonds became widely available, and not until the 1940's that the DeBeers company cemented society's fixation on one particular stone: diamond. 

CZ is just a simulated diamond

In the 1970's with the invention of the cubic zirconia (CZ) it was widely speculated that this new diamond look-a-like would alter the diamond and engagement ring market. However this prediction did not come true. Many jewelers believe the principle reason is because CZ is considered a "fake" gemstone due to it being lab grown, and therefore not "natural". Many have called it an "imposter". 

Moissanite doesn't simulate, it surpasses diamond

We agree that CZ is nothing more than a gemstone that simulates a diamond. However we believe the reason it didn't significantly change the diamond market is not because it wasn't natural, but because it failed to live up to the hype. If the optical and physical properties of a CZ more closely matched or even exceeded that of a diamond, the diamond market would look much different than it does today. 

Moissanite doesn't try and simulate a diamond, it surpasses it in many important ways including brilliance, fire, luster, toughness, resistance to heat, without even mentioning the obvious: price. Below is a chart which compares the properties of Moissanite to diamond. 

Summary:

• Optical Properties: Moissanite has superior fire, brilliance and luster than diamond

• Physical Properties: Moissanite is tougher. The hardness of Moissanite, although less, is comparable in the sense that it is easily sufficient for daily wear and to last for generations. Moissanite is the 2nd hardest gemstone on earth.

• Durability: Moissanite has higher heat tolerance than diamonds making damage from heat during jewelry manufacturing and repair very unlikely

• Clarity and Quality of Cut: diamonds vary widely whereas Moissanite has consistently high clarity and cut

• Color: diamonds vary widely although the most popular colors for diamond jewelry are G - J in the United States. The face up color of Moissanite and our new Amora Moissanite is in this same color range.

• Attraction to Dirt/Oil: the pure carbon composition of diamond make it so attractive to oil and grease that it is used to seperate rock and diamonds at diamond mines. Due to the mixed carbon and silicon composition of Moissanite it has a much lower propensity to attract dirt and oil.