What is the Difference Between Moissanite and Cubic Zirconia

The main difference between moissanite and cubic zirconia is that moissanite is more durable and has a greater brilliance than cubic zirconia.

Moissanite and cubic zirconia are two substitutes for diamonds. These are synthetic gemstones that closely resemble diamonds in brilliance, quality, and durability. Both are considerably cheaper than diamonds, and both have natural and synthetic ones. Within these two, cubic zirconia is usually less expensive than moissanite.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Moissanite 
     – Definition, Features
2. What is Cubic Zirconia
     – Definition, Features
3. What are the Similarities Between Moissanite and Cubic Zirconia
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Moissanite and Cubic Zirconia
    – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Cubic Zirconia, Diamonds, Moissanite

What is Moissanite

Moissanite is a diamond simulant containing silicon carbide. It was discovered By Henri Moissan in 1893, from a meteor crater in Arizona. It’s a very rare gemstone, and most moissanite gems in the market are synthetic (created in labs). Although moissanite is made as a substitute for diamond, there are a few distinct differences. Moissanite has a lower rating on the Mohs Scale of Hardness than diamonds. It has a 9.25 rating while diamond rates 10 at Mohs Scale of Hardness.

Moreover, moissanite jewellery comes in a variety of colours, including white, yellow, blue, pink and red. However, some clear or white moissanite may have a slight grey or green tint, especially in bright light. Furthermore, synthetic moissanite has more brilliance than diamonds. Its different faceted pattern creates a rainbow-like effect.  In addition to these, moissanites are more heat resistant than diamonds. Although moissanites are cheaper than diamonds, they are more expensive than cubic zirconia.

What is Cubic Zirconia

Cubic Zirconia is a synthetic gemstone of zirconia resembling a diamond. It is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide. We use it as a substitute for diamonds due to its close resemblance to diamonds, durability and low cost. In fact, cubic zirconia is less expensive than diamonds as well as moissanites.

Cubic zirconia comes in different grades – from grade A to AAAAA. The highest quality cubic zirconia is hard to tell apart from diamond without expert examinations. Moreover, hand-cut cubic zirconia closely resembles real diamonds than machine-cut cubic zirconia. Besides, they do not have the grey or green tint that occurs in some moissanites.

Although cubic zirconia has the brilliance of diamonds, they do not have diamond’s lustre. Moreover, they are not as hard or durable as diamonds. The Mohs Scale of Hardness rates cubic zirconia at 8 – 8.5.

Similarities Between Moissanite and Cubic Zirconia

• These are synthetic gemstones that closely resemble diamonds in brilliance, quality, and durability.
• Both are considerably cheaper than diamonds.

Difference Between Moissanite and Cubic Zirconia

Definition

Moissanite is a diamond simulant containing silicon carbide while cubic zirconia is a synthetic gemstone of zirconia resembling a diamond

Hardness

Moissanite is harder than cubic zirconia. Moissanite is rated at 9.25 in the Mohs Scale while cubic zirconia is rated at 8 – 8.5.

Brilliance and Luster

Furthermore, moissanite has a greater brilliance and lustre than both diamonds and cubic zirconia while cubic zirconia has the brilliance of diamonds, but not their lustre.

Heat Resistance

Besides, moissanites are more heat resistant than diamonds and cubic zirconia.

Grey/Green Tint

Some clear or white moissanites may have a slight grey or green tint under bright light, but cubic zirconia does not have this tint.

Price

While both gemstones are not as expensive as than diamonds, cubic zirconia is cheaper than moissanite.

Conclusion

Moissanite and cubic zirconia synthetic gemstones that closely resemble diamonds in brilliance, quality, and durability. Moissanite has a greater brilliance and lustre than both diamonds and cubic zirconia while cubic zirconia has the brilliance of diamond’s, but not its lustre. In addition, moissanite is harder than cubic zirconia and more durable. However, cubic zirconia is less expensive than moissanite. Thus, this is the difference between moissanite and cubic zirconia.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Moissanite” By Brillar CO., LTD –  (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Synthetic cubic zirconia” By MAURO CATEB (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr