Cubic Zirconia Vs Moissanite - What's the Difference?

Moissanite and cubic zirconia have become popular alternatives to diamond, offering some added sparkle without breaking the bank.

Both moissanite and CZ stones are exquisite, but there are some key distinctions between them that set moissanite apart from CZ! Read on to discover more of what makes moissanite special!

Cost

Selecting an engagement ring gem depends on personal preferences, budget and lifestyle factors. While cubic zirconia and moissanite are popular alternatives to diamond, their prices and durability differ drastically, creating an obstacle course between them that’s hard to cross. A better understanding of each gem’s features will enable you to make an informed choice that’s appropriate for you.

Moissanite and cubic zirconia are both laboratory-created, making them more ethical than mined diamonds. Although both stones possess similar brilliance and sparkle, moissanite has the higher hardness rating; this means it is less likely to chip or crack under everyday wear and tear.

Cubic zirconia engagement rings have an average Mohs hardness rating between 8-8.5 while moissanite engagement rings boast a 9.25 Mohs hardness rating, an important distinction when purchasing engagement rings as its hardness can impact durability and lifespan. Although moissanite may be more costly than its cubic zirconia counterpart, couples committed for life may find its higher cost worth investing in.

Cubic zirconia may be more economical for shoppers on a limited budget, though its soft nature means it may scratch more easily than moissanite and become cloudy over time. Because its durability cannot match that of natural diamonds and it doesn’t have the same optical properties of real ones.

Moissanite is a naturally occurring mineral with an extremely hardness rating and greater environmental friendliness compared to synthetic cubic zirconia, both gems being available in numerous cuts and colors and utilized for various jewelry pieces like earrings, rings, necklaces and fashion accessories. Both can even be used to craft stunning wedding or engagement rings that last generations while being easily purchased online from various jewelry stores with excellent selection at reasonable prices.

Appearance

As society becomes more socially and environmentally aware, demand for ethically sourced and eco-friendly products increases; leading to an upsurge in popularity for sustainable options such as cubic zirconia and moissanite diamond alternatives. But it may be difficult for those without any gemological background to distinguish the two gemstones when purchasing jewellery. For you to distinguish a synthetic from a real diamond, you will require both a jeweller’s loupe (a small magnifying glass used by jewellers and watchmakers) and an experienced eye. There are various ways you can identify these stones, including their hardness, specific gravity and how they refract light. Moissanites are double-refractive gems, meaning that light bends twice when passing through them resulting in greater brilliance than cubic zirconia and other single-refractive gemstones. This characteristic makes moissanites more reminiscent of diamond than cubic zirconia.

Cubic zirconia is an artificial gemstone created using high-purity zirconium oxide powders stabilized with calcium and magnesium, typically colorless but sometimes tinted with various elements such as yttria or other elements to produce different colors. Lab technicians melt this zirconium oxide at over 4,298 degrees Fahrenheit until isotropic crystals form, then cool it before cutting, shaping and polishing it to produce finished pieces.

Cubic zirconia may be beautiful, but its fragility makes it unsuitable for everyday jewelry wear, particularly engagement rings that will be worn daily. Furthermore, cubic zirconia is quite soft and scratches or dent easily when hit against objects; Moissanite stands out with a higher Mohs scale rating (9.25) that protects it against such damages.

Cubic zirconia may look very much like the real deal and is often mistaken for it. With lower price point compared to natural diamonds, cubic zirconia offers durable yet sparkly alternatives – though please bear in mind that real diamonds will always provide more authentic sparkle and shine than manmade alternatives.

Hardness

Moissanite stands out in comparison to cubic zirconia for its hardness rating on the Mohs scale; with 9.25, making it more resilient. On the other hand, cubic zirconia’s lower hardness rating (8-8.5 on Mohs scale) may require additional cleanings over time to keep its appearance.

No matter their hardness difference, both moissanite and cubic zirconia can appear very similar to real diamonds when set into jewelry pieces with appropriate settings. Many jewelers offer moissanite as an affordable alternative to mined diamonds; its advantages over mined ones include its higher refractive index which gives more sparkle over time while being less susceptible to heat damage during manufacturing and wearing of pieces. Moissanite’s thermal insulator properties make it less likely that heat damage occurs during its manufacturing or during its wearability than mined diamonds are.

Moissanite offers one of the greatest advantages when it comes to everyday wear – its resistance to scratches and abrasions makes it the ideal choice. Cubic zirconia on the other hand has much lower hardness rating at only 8.5, making it more vulnerable to becoming scratched or damaged through daily use.

Moissanite stands out as an attractive gemstone with a high refractive index that makes it very similar to diamond, making it difficult for people to distinguish it from an actual diamond. Furthermore, its durability makes it a fantastic option for engagement rings or jewelry in general – its brilliant sparkle outshines that of cubic zirconia while its unique color dispersion creates a rainbow-effect light show when set against light sources.

Moissanite is less porous than cubic zirconia, making it less likely to collect dirt quickly and maintain its beauty for an extended period of time. By contrast, cubic zirconia tends to accumulate oil, leading to premature dulling over time if not regularly maintained; hence why it is essential that rings be cleaned on an ongoing basis to remain looking their best.

Origin

Diamonds may be the epitome of luxury gemstones, yet their price can often come at a steep premium. If you want the glitz and glam without paying the steep premium of diamonds, consider moissanite or cubic zirconia as alternatives – both stones look remarkably like diamonds and are popular choices as jewelry choices for special events such as weddings, anniversary celebrations or birthdays.

Moissanite stands out as being more durable and brilliant than CZ when it comes to durability and brilliance, boasting a higher refractive index that allows it to reflect more colors and light, creating an eye-catching display of shimmer and color. Furthermore, moissanite keeps its luster longer; CZ can become stained more easily due to frequent handling that must be maintained for the optimal look of each gem.

Cubic zirconia (CZ) was first manufactured commercially in 1976. CZ is produced by melting zirconium oxide and other materials at high temperatures before rapidly cooling them to form its crystal structure – unlike natural diamonds which form under intense pressure and heat from Mother Nature, CZ can be created in controlled laboratory conditions and allows manufacturers to produce stones with an appearance and hardness similar to natural diamonds.

CZ is less costly than moissanite but not as durable, and should only be worn occasionally due to scratching or breaking from exposure to abrasions. However, CZ makes an ideal option for fashion jewellery such as earrings and necklaces.

Moissanite is a rare mineral found in meteorites and volcanic rock types. It makes an elegant alternative to diamonds for use in jewellery such as rings, earrings and pendants – though due to its fragility it should be handled carefully when worn as engagement rings.

Moissanite and cubic zirconia are excellent alternatives for those seeking to avoid purchasing diamonds that were mined using unethical mining practices. While neither material offers all the same ethical advantages as conflict-free diamonds, they’re certainly better choices than sapphires or rubies in terms of sustainability and social consciousness. Due to an ever increasing market for socially conscious and eco-friendly products, these imitation diamond simulants have grown increasingly popular; but to ensure you purchase from reputable jewelers only.