Is Moissanite a Real Diamond? What It Actually Is

Short answer: No, moissanite is not a diamond. It is a separate gemstone made of silicon carbide, while diamond is made of carbon. Moissanite is a real, natural-occurring mineral (almost always lab-grown for jewelry), and it looks similar to diamond, which is why it is popular as a diamond alternative.

What Moissanite Is

Moissanite is silicon carbide (SiC). It was identified in 1893 by French chemist Henri Moissan in tiny crystals from a meteor crater in Arizona. Natural moissanite is extremely rare, so the moissanite used in jewelry is grown in a lab. It is a genuine gemstone with its own properties, not glass or cubic zirconia.

How It Differs From Diamond

Moissanite vs Lab Grown Diamond

These are often confused. A lab grown diamond is a diamond: pure carbon with the same structure as a mined diamond, just created in a lab. Moissanite is a different material. Both are lab-made, but only one is a diamond.

Is It Honest to Wear Moissanite?

Absolutely. Moissanite is a beautiful, durable gemstone chosen by many people for engagement rings and everyday jewelry. The only rule is disclosure: it should always be sold and described as moissanite, never as diamond.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is moissanite a fake diamond?

No. It is a real gemstone of its own, not a diamond and not an imitation made of glass.

Is moissanite natural?

Natural moissanite exists but is extremely rare. Jewelry moissanite is lab-grown.

Does moissanite pass a diamond tester?

Basic thermal testers can read it as diamond. Testers that measure electrical conductivity can tell them apart.

Sources

• GIA — Gemological Institute of America