Updated October 19, 2026 · by Enzo, founder of Laveran Paris
Key takeaways
- Moissanite is a silicon carbide (SiC) stone, almost always created in a laboratory: to the naked eye it looks like a diamond, but it is not a diamond.
- Compared with a lab-grown diamond (pure carbon, hardness 10), it is slightly softer (9.25 on the Mohs scale), shows more rainbow flashes and does not receive an IGI or GIA diamond certificate.
- At Laveran, no moissanite: only IGI- or GIA-certified lab-grown diamonds, from €880 for an engagement ring and €1,744 for a 1-carat solitaire.
Moissanite is a stone made of silicon carbide, discovered in 1893 and now produced in laboratories: it imitates diamond, but it is not one. It is slightly softer (9.25 versus 10 on the Mohs scale) and more colorful in its sparkle; a lab-grown diamond, on the other hand, is a real diamond, IGI- or GIA-certified, starting at €880 at Laveran Paris. This guide compares the two stones point by point: composition, sparkle, hardness, price, certificate, and how to tell them apart before you buy a ring.
Contents
- Moissanite: what is it?
- Does moissanite occur naturally?
- Is moissanite a diamond?
- Moissanite vs lab-grown diamond: the comparison
- Which one sparkles more?
- Which one holds up better every day?
- How much do moissanite and lab-grown diamonds cost?
- How can you tell moissanite from a diamond?
- Moissanite, cubic zirconia or lab-grown diamond: what's the difference?
- Which stone should you choose for an engagement ring?
- Frequently asked questions
Moissanite: what is it?
Moissanite is a transparent gemstone made of silicon carbide (SiC), used in jewelry as an alternative to diamond. The moissanite you find in rings is synthetic moissanite: it is crystallized in a laboratory, then cut like a diamond (round brilliant, oval, pear, cushion…).
Its three main traits:
- A very lively sparkle, with lots of colored flashes (its "fire").
- Good hardness: 9.25 on the Mohs scale, more than sapphire or ruby (9), less than diamond (10).
- A different composition from diamond: silicon and carbon, where diamond is pure carbon.
The stone is named after the French chemist Henri Moissan, who identified it in 1893 in fragments of the meteorite that fell near Canyon Diablo, Arizona. He first thought he had found diamonds.
Does moissanite occur naturally?
Yes, but it is extremely rare: natural moissanite only occurs as tiny grains, far too small for jewelry. It has been found in meteorites and in a few deep-earth rocks. All moissanite sold in jewelry is therefore created in a laboratory, and French law requires it to be labeled "synthetic."
That is one thing it shares with lab-grown diamonds: both stones come from a laboratory. The difference is what is made there: a diamond in one case, a different stone in the other.
Is moissanite a diamond?
No. Moissanite is neither a natural diamond nor a lab-grown diamond: it is a different stone that looks like one. A diamond, whether mined or lab-grown, is crystallized pure carbon. Moissanite is silicon carbide, with different optical properties and a different hardness.
A lab-grown diamond (also called a synthetic diamond), by contrast, is a real diamond. It has the same composition, the same hardness and the same sparkle as a natural diamond; only its origin is different. It is created using two methods:
- HPHT (high pressure, high temperature), which recreates the conditions in which diamonds form inside the Earth;
- CVD (chemical vapor deposition), which grows the diamond layer by layer from a carbon-rich gas.
It is graded on the 4Cs (carat, color, clarity, cut) and certified by the same laboratories as natural diamonds. The details: IGI and GIA certification for lab-grown diamonds.
Moissanite vs lab-grown diamond: the comparison
Moissanite and lab-grown diamonds look alike in a ring, but they differ on almost every technical criterion.
| Criterion | Moissanite | Lab-grown diamond |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Silicon carbide (SiC) | Pure carbon (C), like a natural diamond |
| Is it a diamond? | No | Yes |
| Hardness (Mohs scale) | 9.25 | 10 |
| Refractive index | 2.65 to 2.69 | 2.42 |
| Dispersion ("fire") | 0.104: strong rainbow flashes | 0.044: bright white sparkle |
| Refraction | Double: facet edges look doubled under a loupe | Single |
| Density | 3.22 | 3.52 |
| Certificate | No IGI or GIA diamond certificate | IGI or GIA certificate, number laser-inscribed on the stone |
| Origin | Laboratory (natural moissanite is too rare) | Laboratory, HPHT or CVD methods |
For the same comparison with mined diamonds: lab-grown diamond vs natural diamond.
Which one sparkles more?
Moissanite returns more colored light; diamond gives a whiter, crisper sparkle. Its higher refractive index and more than double the dispersion give it very visible rainbow flashes, especially in sunlight and in larger stones.
It comes down to taste: some people love this "disco ball" effect, others find it less natural. A diamond, lab-grown or mined, combines white light (brilliance) with subtler flashes of color. For an engagement ring worn for a lifetime, that is often the look people want.
Which one holds up better every day?
Both are suitable for a ring worn every day; diamond remains the hardest stone, at 10 on the Mohs scale, versus 9.25 for moissanite. In practice, only a diamond can scratch a diamond, while moissanite can, over time, show fine marks on its facet edges if it rubs against harder stones.
Neither one clouds over time. Cleaning with warm soapy water and a soft brush is enough to restore their sparkle. At Laveran, polishing and prong checks are free for life.
How much do moissanite and lab-grown diamonds cost?
At Laveran, a lab-grown diamond engagement ring starts at €880, and a certified 1-carat solitaire costs €1,744. Laveran does not sell moissanite, so we do not publish prices for it. It generally costs less than a lab-grown diamond of the same size. To compare, always check three things: the weight of the stone, the metal (silver, gold-plated or solid 18k gold) and whether there is a certificate.
Here are the actual prices of the Montaigne round solitaire, as of October 19, 2026:
| Diamond weight | H/VS2 quality | F/VS1 quality | D/VVS1 quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.30 carat | €880 | €976 | €1,080 |
| 0.50 carat | €1,136 | €1,344 | €1,544 |
| 0.70 carat | €1,400 | €1,568 | €1,720 |
| 1 carat | €1,744 | €2,096 | €2,360 |
| 1.50 carats | €2,520 | €3,160 | €3,440 |
| 2 carats | €2,960 | €3,632 | €4,304 |
These prices are the same in 18k white, yellow or rose gold and in 950 platinum: at Laveran, platinum costs the same as gold. All our diamonds are IGI- or GIA-certified with no fluorescence, and cost up to 80% less than a natural diamond. Other benchmarks: the Vendôme wedding band from €864, the Vendôme ring (pavé band) from €1,280, the Odéon ring (halo) from €1,480. Full price details: how much does a lab-grown diamond cost.
Still torn between two stones? Come and see our lab-grown diamonds under a loupe in one of our 11 showrooms, or by video call: an expert will compare sizes, qualities and budgets with you. IGI- or GIA-certified rings from €880. Book an appointment →
How can you tell moissanite from a diamond?
With the naked eye, it is hard; a jeweler tells them apart with a loupe and the right tester. The most reliable clues:
- Double refraction: under a loupe, looking through the table of the stone, the facet edges of a moissanite appear doubled. A diamond never does this.
- Fire: in sunlight, moissanite throws noticeably stronger rainbow flashes.
- The right tester: standard thermal-conductivity diamond testers can mistake moissanite for diamond. Electrical-conductivity testers tell them apart.
- The certificate: a Laveran lab-grown diamond comes with its IGI or GIA certificate, and the certificate number is laser-inscribed on the stone.
More methods: how to tell a real diamond from a fake.
Moissanite, cubic zirconia or lab-grown diamond: what's the difference?
Cubic zirconia and moissanite are diamond simulants; a lab-grown diamond is a diamond.
- Cubic zirconia is the least expensive of the three, but also the softest (about 8 to 8.5 on the Mohs scale): it scratches and loses its polish faster.
- Moissanite is much harder and more brilliant than cubic zirconia, which makes it the most convincing simulant.
- A lab-grown diamond imitates nothing: it is diamond, certified as such.
Which stone should you choose for an engagement ring?
Choose a lab-grown diamond if you want a real, certified diamond; choose moissanite if the smallest budget and a very colorful sparkle come first.
A lab-grown diamond is right for you if:
- you want to give a diamond, with the same composition and hardness as a natural diamond;
- you want an IGI or GIA certificate and a traceable stone;
- you prefer a classic white sparkle that never goes out of style.
Moissanite may suit you if:
- you are mainly looking for the lowest price for a large stone;
- you love very pronounced rainbow flashes;
- you don't mind that it is not a diamond.
To start from a timeless design: the Montaigne round solitaire or its oval version, from €880, and our full collection of lab-grown diamond engagement rings. Each ring is made to order in 2 to 3 weeks; some designs are available in stock. For a Christmas proposal, order before the end of November.
Frequently asked questions
What is moissanite, in short?
A silicon carbide stone, created in a laboratory, that looks like a diamond. It is very brilliant and hard (9.25 on the Mohs scale), but it is not a diamond.
Is moissanite a diamond?
No. Diamond is pure carbon, whether natural or lab-grown. Moissanite is a different stone, with a different composition, hardness and sparkle.
Is moissanite a precious stone?
Not in the traditional sense: in France, the term "precious stone" is reserved for diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald. The moissanite sold in jewelry is a synthetic stone, created in a laboratory.
Can you see the difference between moissanite and a diamond?
With the naked eye, rarely. Under a loupe, you can spot moissanite's doubled facet edges; in sunlight, its stronger rainbow flashes. A jeweler confirms with an electrical-conductivity tester.
What is moissanite worth?
It has no recognized grading system like the 4Cs for diamonds, and its resale value is low. Like any piece of jewelry, a moissanite or lab-grown diamond ring is bought to be worn, not as an investment.
Does moissanite lose its sparkle over time?
No, it does not cloud. Like a diamond, it can simply pick up everyday grease: cleaning with warm soapy water restores its sparkle.
How much does a lab-grown diamond ring cost at Laveran?
From €880 for a 0.30-carat solitaire in H/VS2 quality, and €1,744 for 1 carat, in 18k gold or in platinum at the same price. Installment payments available with Alma, complimentary engraving.
Does Laveran sell moissanite rings?
No. Laveran Paris works exclusively with lab-grown diamonds, IGI- or GIA-certified with no fluorescence. Free insured delivery, hand-delivered, 30-day returns, lifetime warranty and free lifetime resizing.
Want to see the difference for yourself? Book an appointment in one of our 11 showrooms or by video call: we will show you our lab-grown diamonds under a loupe, along with shapes and settings, and you will leave with a priced project.
