Moissanite is a form of silicon carbide that is relatively rare in nature.
This material has hardness graded 9.5 on the Mohs scale – a rating that is very close to that of diamond, which is a 10 on the same scale.
In addition, moissanite looks very similar to diamond and is often used as its imitation.
Since naturally occurring moissanite is very rare, most of it is produced synthetically.
Can you tell a Moissanite from a diamond with the naked eye?
No! Moissanite and diamond are indistinguishable from each other to the naked eye.
We are able to create far better quality Moissanite than ever before with the help of huge advancements in technology.
Our Moissanite is the most natural looking Moissanite available because in sunlight. It has zero fluorescence and doesn’t show the undesired blue tint that can be seen in other Moissanite. These qualities, along with its stunning fire, makes Moissanite look like a high-quality fine diamond.
While the tests outlined below can give a good indication of whether a stone is a Moissanite or a diamond. However, they are not completely reliable.
How to tell the difference between a Moissanite and a Diamond
There are few indicators to look for if you want to tell the difference between a Moissanite and a diamond. You will need specialised equipment such as a jeweller’s loupe, Moissanite tester or a JFIRE tester to see some of these features.
Double Refraction
Moissanite is more brilliant and sparkly than a diamond with similar clarity, color, and cut. In addition, moissanite has the so-called “double refraction” property.
This means that if you look through the top or the side of a polished round moissanite, the facets on the opposite side of the stone will appear doubled. In diamonds, you shouldn’t be able to see such an effect.
Weight
Moissanite has lower density and specific gravity compared with pure diamond.
What this means is that if you compare the weight of a moissanite and diamond of the same size, the moissanite will be lighter.
Moissanite and Diamond Testers
Diamond testers work on the principle that different jewels conduct heat differently. They measure the rate at which heat passes through the stone to determine whether the stone is a diamond or not.
Diamond and CZ can be easily differentiated from one another because they conduct heat in totally different ways. Moissanite and diamond conduct heat in very similar ways. Both of them were identified as a diamond when checked with a diamond tester.
The Moissanite testers work on a similar principle as diamond testers, but they use electrical conductivity to identify the stones based on their electrical properties. These testers were developed to distinguish the two gemstones from one another.
While they can serve as a good indication of whether a jewel is Moissanite or diamond, Moissanite testers have been known to show incorrect results and are therefore not a completely reliable way tell Moissanite from diamond. It is sometimes very difficult to test smaller stones as well.
Polished Girdle
You will see that it is faceted like the picture on the left. The girdle of a Moissanite can be polished as shown on the right. A polished girdle can be an indicator of a Moissanite.
However, it’s becoming increasingly common to find Moissanite jewels with a faceted girdle. This should only be used as an indication of whether a jewel is Moissanite or diamond.
JFIRE Tester
Moissanite has a higher refractive index than diamond which causes it to disperse more light than diamond. This is what gives Moissanite its signature fire and brilliance!
A JFIRE tester, pictured below, shows how a moissanite and a diamond of similar size disperse light when suspended in water.
While a JFIRE tester can give an indication of whether a jewel is Moissanite or diamond. It requires you to have access to a JFIRE Tester and have a decent sized jewel to be unset, so this test cannot be performed on a finished piece of jewellery.
There is no definite way to differentiate these jewels from one another. They are difficult to differentiate to the naked eye, and even under a jeweller’s loupe.
Moissanite is a true alternative to diamond offering unrivalled beauty and incredible value.