What moissanite is
Moissanite is silicon carbide. It was first identified in the 1890s by the chemist Henri Moissan, in tiny crystals from a meteorite site, and natural moissanite is so rare that every moissanite used in jewelry is created in a laboratory. It is not a diamond and not an imitation of one; it is its own gem, with its own optical character. Every moissanite in this collection is lab-created, as all jewelry moissanite is, and we say so on every page. Our moissanite guide explains the science.
How moissanite compares with diamond
According to GIA, moissanite has a hardness of 9.25 and excellent toughness, so its durability competes with diamond, and its brilliance is only slightly less than diamond's. What sets it apart is fire: moissanite throws noticeably more rainbow flashes, especially in sunlight. It is produced in near-colorless grades, and some stones can show a faint green or gray hue in certain light. It also costs a fraction of a diamond of the same size, which is why a 2 or 3 carat look is realistic. If you would rather have a diamond, compare our lab-grown diamond jewelry.
Moissanite engagement rings
Most of this collection is engagement rings, and for good reason: moissanite holds up to daily wear as well as almost any stone. Our designs come with round, oval and emerald-cut centers from 1 to 3 carats in solitaire, halo, three-stone, cathedral and vintage scroll settings, in 14K or 18K white, yellow or rose gold. A bezel or half-bezel suits an active life; a claw-prong solitaire shows off the stone's fire. See all moissanite engagement rings.
Caring for moissanite
Moissanite is one of the easiest stones to care for. Warm, soapy water and a soft brush bring back its sparkle, and its hardness means everyday knocks are rarely a concern for the stone itself; the setting is what needs an occasional check. Store it apart from other jewelry so it does not scratch softer gems. More in our Mohs hardness scale and jewelry cleaning guide.
| Gem | Mohs hardness |
|---|---|
| Diamond | 10 |
| Moissanite | 9.25 |
| Sapphire and ruby | 9 |
| Topaz | 8 |
| Amethyst and citrine | 7 |
How to choose moissanite jewelry
For an engagement ring, choose the shape first: round shows the most fire, oval looks larger for its weight, and emerald-cut gives long, mirror-like flashes. Then choose the setting and metal; white gold keeps the stone looking icy, while yellow and rose gold warm it. For gifts, the halo studs and round solitaire necklaces are an easy, durable choice. Rings are made to order in your size and are final sale, so start with the sizing guide.
Moissanite Jewelry at a glance
| Piece | Wear level | Best settings | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moissanite engagement rings | Daily | Solitaire, halo, three-stone, bezel | 1 to 3 ct centers; 14K or 18K gold |
| Moissanite necklaces | Low | Halo, solitaire, bezel | Chain length listed per piece |
| Moissanite earrings | Low | Studs, halos, rose-cut | No sizing needed; an easy gift |
Frequently Asked
Moissanite Jewelry FAQ
What is moissanite jewelry?
Moissanite jewelry is any piece set with moissanite, a brilliant gem made of silicon carbide. Ours includes engagement rings, necklaces and earrings in solid gold, with 14K or 18K gold on the engagement rings.
Is moissanite natural or lab-created?
Lab-created. Natural moissanite is extremely rare, found only in tiny crystals, so all moissanite used in jewelry, including every stone here, is created in a laboratory.
Is moissanite the same as a diamond?
No. Moissanite is its own gem, silicon carbide, with different properties from diamond. It is sold as moissanite, never as diamond, and it is valued for its hardness and fire.
Is moissanite as durable as diamond?
Close. GIA gives moissanite a hardness of 9.25 with excellent toughness, so its durability competes with diamond, which rates 10. It is well suited to an engagement ring worn every day.
Does moissanite sparkle more than diamond?
It shows more fire, the rainbow flashes you see in sunlight, while its overall brilliance is slightly less than diamond's. Many people love the extra color; others prefer diamond's whiter sparkle.
Does moissanite change color or get cloudy?
Moissanite does not cloud over time. Like any gem, it can look dull when coated in skin oils or lotion, and a quick clean restores it. Some stones can show a faint green or gray hue in certain light.
What carat sizes do your moissanite engagement rings come in?
Our moissanite engagement rings offer round, oval and emerald-cut centers from 1 to 3 carats, depending on the design.
Can moissanite pass a diamond tester?
Some basic thermal testers can read moissanite as diamond, because the two conduct heat similarly. Gemologists separate them easily. We always sell moissanite as moissanite.
How do I clean moissanite jewelry?
Warm, soapy water and a soft brush. Moissanite itself tolerates most cleaning methods, but check the setting and any accent stones before using an ultrasonic cleaner. See our jewelry cleaning guide.
Which metal looks best with moissanite?
White gold keeps moissanite looking crisp and icy; yellow and rose gold give it a warmer glow. Engagement rings come in 14K or 18K white, yellow or rose gold.
Do you sell moissanite wedding bands or other rings?
At the moment our moissanite rings are engagement rings. For matching bands, browse wedding bands.
How do I choose the right ring size?
Every moissanite ring is made to order in the size you select, and rings are final sale, so measure first with our sizing guide. Between sizes, choose the larger one for wider bands.