Picture this: You’re at a dinner party, and your friend’s engagement ring catches the light. It throws rainbows across the table—more fire than any diamond you’ve seen. “It’s moissanite,” she says. Someone scoffs. “So… not a real gemstone?”
That question hangs in the air like an accusation. And it’s one that’s been quietly dividing jewellery lovers for years.
Let’s settle this once and for all.
The Short Answer: Yes, Moissanite Is Absolutely Real
Here’s the truth that might surprise you: moissanite is as real as any gemstone you’ll find in nature. It’s not a fake diamond. It’s not plastic masquerading as luxury. It’s silicon carbide—a legitimate mineral with its own chemical composition, its own sparkle, and its own fascinating origin story.
The confusion? It stems from one word: lab-grown.
But here’s the thing—lab-grown doesn’t mean fake. It means intentionally created. Think of it this way: a tomato grown in a greenhouse isn’t a “fake tomato.” It’s still a tomato. It just didn’t grow in a field. Moissanite is created in controlled laboratory environments, but the end result is a genuine gemstone with extraordinary properties.
Where Does Moissanite Actually Come From?
The story begins in 1893, when French scientist Henri Moissan discovered tiny crystals in a meteor crater in Arizona. He initially thought he’d found diamonds. After closer examination, he realized he’d stumbled upon something entirely different—a mineral so rare in nature that it’s almost impossible to find.
Natural moissanite exists, but only in microscopic quantities in meteorites and certain rock formations. You couldn’t make jewellery from it even if you wanted to. So in the 1990s, scientists cracked the code on growing moissanite in labs, making it accessible for the first time.
Does that make it “less real”? Consider this: most diamonds you see today formed billions of years ago under the Earth’s crust. Lab-grown moissanite forms in weeks. Both are genuine crystalline structures. The timeline doesn’t change the chemistry.
What Makes a Gemstone “Real” Anyway?
Let’s challenge the premise of the question itself. What does “real” even mean when we’re talking about gemstones?
If we’re defining “real” as naturally occurring without human intervention, then technically, many things we consider valuable wouldn’t qualify. Cultured pearls? Lab-grown. Yet no one questions their legitimacy. Synthetic sapphires used in luxury watches? Created in labs, but they’re still sapphires.
A gemstone is real if it possesses:
- A defined chemical composition
- Consistent physical properties
- Durability and crystalline structure
- Optical characteristics that can be measured and verified
Moissanite checks every single box. It scores 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale (diamonds are 10). It has a refractive index higher than diamond, meaning it actually sparkles more intensely. It’s heat-resistant up to 1,100°C. These aren’t marketing claims—they’re scientific facts.
The “Fake Diamond” Myth: Why It Needs to Die
Here’s where things get frustrating. Moissanite is often lumped into the same category as cubic zirconia—that cheap diamond simulant you find in costume jewellery. But moissanite and cubic zirconia aren’t even close to being the same thing.
Cubic zirconia:
- Hardness: 8-8.5 (scratches easily)
- Durability: Clouds over time
- Brilliance: Decent, but fades
- Price: A few dollars
Moissanite:
- Hardness: 9.25 (nearly as hard as diamond)
- Durability: Lasts a lifetime
- Brilliance: Exceeds diamond
- Price: A fraction of diamond cost, but still a premium gemstone
When comparing moissanite to other diamond alternatives, moissanite consistently outperforms in every measurable category. It’s not trying to be a diamond—it’s its own gemstone with superior optical properties.
The Lab-Grown Question: Does It Diminish Value?
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: lab-grown gemstones and perceived value.
If you walked into a gallery and saw two paintings—one created by an artist in a studio, another painted outdoors—would the location make one less “real”? Of course not. The skill, the materials, the final result—that’s what matters.
The same logic applies to gemstones. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically identical to mined diamonds, yet some people still view them as inferior. Why? Not because of science. Because of marketing. For over a century, the diamond industry convinced us that rarity equals value, and that “natural” means better.
But moissanite isn’t pretending to be something it’s not. It’s a different gemstone entirely—one that happens to sparkle brilliantly, last forever, and cost significantly less than diamond. The benefits of choosing moissanite extend beyond price: it’s conflict-free, environmentally sustainable, and optically superior in many ways.
Real-World Reactions: What Happens When You Wear Moissanite?
Sarah, a teacher from Melbourne, shared her experience: “I was nervous someone would ‘call out’ my moissanite engagement ring. But you know what happened? People complimented it constantly. No one asked if it was ‘real.’ They just said it was stunning.”
That’s the reality. Most people can’t tell the difference between moissanite and diamond without specialised equipment. In fact, moissanite’s extra fire—the rainbow flashes it produces—often makes it look more impressive than a diamond of comparable size.
Should you tell people your ring is moissanite? That’s entirely your choice. But here’s the empowering part: you’re not hiding anything shameful. You’re wearing a legitimate gemstone that represents smart decision-making and modern values.
Moissanite vs. Diamond: An Honest Comparison
Let’s put them side by side without the marketing spin.
Brilliance: Moissanite wins. Its refractive index (2.65) is higher than diamond’s (2.42). Translation? More sparkle.
Durability: Diamond edges out moissanite slightly (10 vs. 9.25 on Mohs scale), but both will last a lifetime with proper care.
Price: Moissanite costs roughly 90% less than a comparable diamond. A 1-carat diamond might set you back $5,000–$15,000. A 1-carat moissanite? Around $400–$600.
Ethics: Moissanite is always lab-created, meaning zero environmental destruction or ethical concerns. Diamonds—even “conflict-free” ones—come with a complicated supply chain.
Colour: Diamonds can have subtle yellow tints (unless you pay premium for higher grades). Moissanite in higher grades is colourless and stays that way.
For a deeper dive, check out this comprehensive moissanite vs diamond comparison.
Common Concerns: Debunked
“Does moissanite get cloudy over time?”
No. This is a persistent myth, likely confused with cubic zirconia. Moissanite maintains its clarity indefinitely. If your moissanite ring looks cloudy, it’s probably just dirty. A simple cleaning restores the sparkle.
“Can moissanite get wet?”
Absolutely. Moissanite is highly durable and water-resistant. Wear it in the shower, at the beach, in the pool—it won’t degrade.
“Will it turn green or discolour?”
No, moissanite doesn’t turn green or change colour. This is another myth often associated with lower-quality materials or costume jewellery.
“What ruins moissanite?”
Very little. Harsh chemicals and extreme abrasives can damage any gemstone, but moissanite is remarkably resilient. Avoid chlorine bleach and avoid scrubbing with abrasive materials—toothpaste, for example, is too harsh.
The Real Question Isn’t “Is It Real?”—It’s “Is It Right for You?”
Here’s what it comes down to: moissanite is a genuine gemstone with measurable, verifiable properties. It’s not a diamond imitation—it’s an alternative. A brilliant, durable, ethical, and affordable alternative.
Choosing moissanite isn’t about settling. It’s about redefining what matters in jewellery. Maybe you’d rather put money toward a house, travel, or financial security. Maybe you care more about sustainability than status symbols. Maybe you just love how moissanite catches the light.
All of those reasons are valid.
What the Critics Get Wrong
The snobbery around moissanite often reveals more about outdated thinking than about the gemstone itself. Jewellery has always been about personal expression, not validation from strangers. If someone judges your ring based on whether it’s “natural” or lab-grown, they’re missing the point entirely.
Even men are embracing moissanite rings—as wedding bands, fashion statements, and symbols of modern masculinity. The shift is happening across demographics, and it’s driven by informed consumers who refuse to buy into artificial scarcity.
Final Thoughts: Trust the Science, Not the Hype
Moissanite is a real gemstone. Full stop. It has its own identity, its own strengths, and its own place in the world of fine jewellery.
The question was never really “Is moissanite real?” The question is: “Why have we been conditioned to believe that only mined gemstones have value?”
Once you see through that narrative, the choice becomes clear.
Whether you’re considering a moissanite engagement ring, a GRA-certified piece, or simply want to explore your options, remember this: the “realness” of a gemstone isn’t determined by where it came from. It’s determined by what it is—chemically, physically, and optically.
And by that measure, moissanite is as real as it gets.
Ready to explore moissanite for yourself? Discover stunning, ethically crafted pieces that prove luxury doesn’t require compromise. Start your journey here.
