Diamond Alternative: Moissanite vs. Cubic Zirconia

Know the top differences between Moissanite and Cubic Zirconia (also known as CZ). Moissanite Vs. Cubic Zirconia: which one should you choose?

Natural diamonds are valued for both their incredible hardness and stunning shine. Diamonds are clear and colorless, and the more colorless the diamond, the more valuable. However, people should not be pressured to go to diamonds for engagement rings and other jewelry. 

Choosing a diamond alternative for engagement rings and other jewelry is becoming increasingly popular. The best diamond alternative is one that offers the brilliance, fire and sparkle of a diamond, with benefits a diamond can’t offer: environmentally friendly practices and conflict-free sourcing. If you’re looking for guilt-free gemstones for diamond alternatives, you may have a question: which is a better diamond substitute, Moissanite or Cubic Zirconia?

Keep reading and you will be able to make the best decision.

Moissanite vs. Cubic Zirconia

Moissanite Vs. Cubic Zirconia—Basics You Need to Know

So, what is Moissanite? 

Moissanite: One of the most beautiful gems in the world

Moissanite is an exquisitely beautiful gemstone, and can be a good choice for an affordable engagement ring. Moissanite, a synthesized form of silicon carbide, which means that, like diamonds, it contains carbon, is a very rare mineral that is great at conducting heat and that has an incredible brightness. It is nearly as hard as diamond and will last a lifetime. Moissanite was discovered by Dr. Henri Moissan in the 1890s. And Moissanite was named in honor of Moissan later on in his life.

Moissanite has much more fire and brilliance than a diamond, which makes it an eye-catching center stone that will light up a room. If you are considering a Moissanite as an engagement ring option, you will be able to choose a large carat Moissanite engagement ring for about $300. A Moissanite ring will save you thousands from an earth-mined diamond. 

Cubic Zirconia

Cubic Zirconia has been on the market much longer than Moissanite. Cubic Zirconia comes from Zirconium Oxide, a crystalline, white powder. When it is melted under extremely high heat, it forms crystals, known as Cubic Zirconia or CZ.

Cubic Zirconia is generally viewed as cheap and of little value, making Moissanite the best diamond substitute. From a price standpoint, Cubic Zirconia is almost worthless. It does make it a nice budget option for a cheap engagement ring or a wedding ring.

Moissanite Vs. Cubic Zirconia: Color

As we know, diamonds are colorless. And how are Moissanite vs. zirconium in this way?

Moissanite is a near-colorless gemstone. Moissanite is also available in colors equivalent to “Near Colorless” G to I range and “Colorless” D through F range. All Moissanite engagement rings of MSBLUE Jewelry, which are the highest quality stones available on the market today. They are guaranteed to be DEF in color and VS2 clarity or better.

Zirconia is clear and Cubic Zirconia can be manufactured in colors. Other colors of Cubic Zirconia can be produced including white, yellow, pink, purple, green, and even multicolored.

Moissanite vs. Cubic Zirconia: Brilliance and Fire

The quality that most greatly affects a diamond’s beauty is its Cut—which impacts how much light reflects through the diamond’s table to your eyes. White light reflection is referred to as brilliance and colored light reflection is called fire.

In general, Moissanite has more brilliance than a diamond. It has more fire and brilliance than any other gemstone, because Moissanite is double refractive, it is cut differently than diamonds to enhance the sparkle.

Cubic Zirconia contains no true brilliance or fire. It has a much lower refractive index—between 2.15 – 2.18, compared with 2.65 for Moissanite and 2.42 for diamonds. Light passes through Cubic Zirconia much differently—offering significantly less reflection back to the eye.

Moissanite Vs. Cubic Zirconia: Durability

If you have a frugal approach to buying your jewelry, you’re not going to want something that is easily scratched or damaged.

As the hardest naturally-occurring mineral in the world, diamonds rate a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Moissanite is the second hardest to diamonds on the Mohs hardness scale. On the Mohs scale of hardness, a Moissanite measures in at 9.25-9.5, so they are suitable for daily wear.

Cubic Zirconia ranks an 8 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Because it’s a synthetic material, it offers some durability. Cubic Zirconia can be worn in jewelry, but will certainly not have the longevity of a diamond. Cubic Zirconia becomes scratched and cloudy over time.

Moissanite Vs. Cubic Zirconia: Price and Value

Althoug Moissanite and Cubic Zirconia are similar in quite a few areas, but Moissanite or any kind of precious metal will usually more than the CZ stone.

One carat of a Moissanite stone can sell for $350-$800 in the market, while the same size of Cubic Zirconia is about $30. MSBLUE offers best quality Moissanite engagement rings at unbeatable prices than the market.

The price of the Moissanite, while lower than that of a diamond, is much greater than that of CZ. It comes from natural materials that are very rare, even if it needs to be lab-grown.

Cubic Zirconia is less valuable due to its low price, particularly when it comes to an engagement ring.  Cubic Zirconia is that there’s essentially no resale value at all. Moissanite will have some resale value, meaning it can serve as an investment.

Find the Right Diamond Alternative at MSBLUE

If you're searching for the best alternative to natural diamonds, shop with MSBLUE.com. Our Moissanite rivals a diamond in its beauty on all levels, and lets you proudly wear an environmentally sustainable and ethically responsible gemstone. When budget is not a concern, you are free to choose large carats based on style. Amazing, isn’t it?