Moissanite or Lab-Grown Diamond? How to Decide

These are the two stones we sell most, and the choice comes down to four questions.

1. Do you want a diamond?

If the answer is yes, buy lab-grown diamond. Moissanite is a beautiful gemstone but it is not diamond, and no certificate will say otherwise.

2. Do you want maximum sparkle per dollar?

Moissanite wins. Its higher refractive index gives it more coloured fire, and a 1ct-equivalent ring starts around $99 versus roughly $300 for a lab-grown diamond.

3. Does white brilliance matter more than fire?

Diamond. Lab-grown diamonds return more white light; moissanite throws more rainbow flashes. Look at both under the same light and pick the one you prefer.

4. Will resale ever matter?

Mined diamonds hold value best, lab-grown diamonds hold some, moissanite very little. If you are buying to wear — which most people are — this is the least important question.

Still torn? Compare moissanite and lab-grown diamond pieces side by side.