Cubic Zirconia Vs Moissanite

Moissanite and cubic zirconia are two popular alternatives to diamond, each offering distinct advantages.

Moissanite, which comes from meteorites, can be used to craft beautiful gemstones that resemble diamonds closely. Cubic zirconia on the other hand is manufactured in laboratories and tends to be significantly cheaper.

Hardness

When making their selection, potential buyers should take into account factors like price, value, and durability when making their decision between moissanite or cubic zirconia as a gemstone option. While both gemstones provide cost-effective alternatives to natural diamonds, moissanite tends to last longer and offer greater range of benefits compared to cubic zirconia – this consideration should be kept in mind when purchasing jewelry that will be worn daily over many years.

Moissanite and cubic zirconia are both great alternatives to natural diamonds, each boasting unique properties that set it apart from its competitors. Moissanite stands out with its superior brilliance and fire, often more intense than that found in natural diamonds; its higher refractive index and dispersion make it more sparkly; in addition, it boasts lower melting point temperatures than diamonds as well as being more resistant to heat than their diamond counterparts.

Moissanite ranks 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it significantly harder than sapphires and rubies and offering greater resistance against scratching than cubic zirconia which only achieves an 8.5 rating.

Moissanite is known for being both strong and flexible, which makes it the perfect material for use in a range of high-pressure experiments, cutting/polishing machines requiring delicate work, consumer products such as body armor or LED lights, among other applications.

Cubic zirconia, on the other hand, is an artificial gemstone often mistaken for diamond due to its similar appearance. Known by several brand names and sold as an inexpensive diamond alternative in jewelry stores. Created by heating zirconium oxide with magnesium or calcium at high temperatures to form crystals at very high temperatures. While less costly than its diamond counterparts and with comparable hardness and durability ratings but susceptible to scratching more easily and chipping more often.

Both moissanite and cubic zirconia come in a range of shapes, making them versatile choices for jewelry designs of all kinds. Their overall appearance depends on its design as well as the preferences of its wearer; if you prefer more contemporary or bolder looks, moissanite may be better; otherwise cubic zirconia could provide the more traditional appearance you seek.

Clarity

As we’ve already observed, moissanite and cubic zirconia are both transparent gemstones with light passing through them; their clarity resembles diamond’s. Moissanite outshines cubic zirconia due to being natural mineral formation while cubic zirconia is manmade material.

Moissanite boasts a lower refractive index than diamonds, giving it more dazzling fire and brilliance when illuminated, which accounts for its intense sparkle – often rivalling even that of real diamonds! Unfortunately, moissanite is less durable than its diamond counterpart and may show signs of wear over time.

Cubic zirconia boasts a much higher refractive index than diamonds, meaning that when light passes through it it gives off more of a rainbow-esque shine – one reason it has become an attractive diamond substitute in jewelry design. Unfortunately, this increased clarity also makes cubic zirconia more susceptible to scratches or other forms of damage over time.

Cubic zirconia can be produced artificially in a laboratory at high temperatures and pressures, unlike moissanite which occurs naturally. This has enabled manufacturers to create cubic zirconia in many different colors such as pink, green and blue by adding impurities like iron, copper, erbium europium and holmium into raw silicon carbide which then transforms into cubic zirconia during transformation in a laboratory environment.

Decisions between moissanite and cubic zirconia will ultimately come down to your personal preferences and priorities. Moissanite offers greater durability and brilliance than cubic zirconia but is more expensive. Conversely, cubic zirconia offers more budget-conscious options that closely mimic diamond’s appearance while still being popular choices among consumers seeking ethical and eco-friendly alternatives to natural diamonds. Interestingly enough, both options are becoming increasingly sought-after as more consumers look for ethical and sustainable alternatives for natural diamonds.

Color

Cubic zirconia and moissanite are two popular diamond alternatives. Both gemstones offer a similar appearance, mimicking the brilliance and fire of natural diamonds while still having significant differences that should be taken into consideration before making your purchasing decision.

Moissanite offers more value than cubic zirconia in terms of optical properties and durability, making it the better option for buyers seeking an investment diamond alternative with greater return. Plus, moissanite’s resistance to scratches makes it the more sensible choice for people who prioritize durability over upfront cost.

Instead of being mined and cut to size individually, lab-grown diamonds can be mass produced, which allows jewelers to cut costs and pass savings along through more affordable prices for consumers. While lab-grown diamonds still carry premium price tags, they are much less costly than their mined counterparts.

As a result, cubic zirconia is often confused for diamond due to its low price point and resemblance. Therefore, it is crucial to be able to differentiate the two stones so as to make an informed shopping decision.

Though colorless (grade D) diamonds can be rare and costly, most couples opt for near-colorless (G to J graded diamonds), which has tints imperceptible to untrained eyes but visible under magnification. Cubic zirconia also makes an excellent near-colorless diamond substitute; however, sometimes having an orange tint visible only under magnification.

Inclusions are naturally occurring imperfections within a diamond that can make it appear cloudy or discolored, rendering it imperfect. A diamond without inclusions is considered perfect, while manmade gems like cubic zirconia often don’t contain inclusions but some may form over time due to heat exposure during manufacturing processes or when worn.

Moissanite boasts a much higher refractive index than cubic zirconia, giving it an eye-catching and striking appearance. This is due to a double refraction that creates its signature lustre and light display compared to single-refractive cubic zirconia which often appears dull from all sides.

Price

Moissanite and cubic zirconia both offer budget-conscious shoppers an alternative to diamonds, yet their specifications differ in important areas like durability and resale value. If you need an everyday-use stone that retains brilliance and clarity over time, moissanite may be your better bet; otherwise cubic zirconia might offer better long-term value if passed down through generations.

Cubic zirconia is produced via a physical crystallization process requiring intense heat and pressure, leading to lower resale value than diamonds and scratches over time. Conversely, moissanite has an organic chemical molecular structure which makes it more resilient than other gemstones.

Moissanite outshines diamond in terms of durability and cost; the former stemming from not needing energy-intensive mining and refining methods used to extract diamonds. Furthermore, moissanite’s eco-friendliness exceeds that of its diamond counterpart thanks to being lab grown and not recreating prevolcanic conditions that only exist in certain parts of Earth’s crust.

Though both stones may look very similar in appearance, moissanite stands out due to its higher refractive index score – this allows it to bend and redirect light more effectively than other gemstones. When seen under certain lighting conditions, moissanite rings can look like fireworks displays with flashes of green, yellow and white flashing along its surface; on the contrary, cubic zirconia rings tend to feature less bright sparkle that often looks dull or even grayish in appearance.

At the core, choosing between moissanite and cubic zirconia comes down to which one best meets your style and budget needs. For an investment ring with high resale value, moissanite may be your go-to material; otherwise if budgeting tight versus durability are top concerns then cubic zirconia makes an excellent alternative choice that looks gorgeous while remaining affordable enough to fool most people into thinking its diamond.