The moissanite guide

Moissanite is one of the most brilliant gemstones you can wear — and one of the most misunderstood. Here is what it is, how it compares, and how to choose.

What is moissanite?

Moissanite is silicon carbide. It was first found in tiny amounts in a meteorite crater in 1893; the moissanite used in jewelry today is created in a lab. It is its own gemstone — not a diamond, and not glass or cubic zirconia.

Brilliance and fire

With a refractive index of about 2.65–2.69 (diamond: 2.42) and dispersion of 0.104 (diamond: 0.044), moissanite returns a lot of light and throws noticeably more colorful flashes — what jewelers call fire. Some people love that rainbow sparkle; larger stones show it most.

Durability

Moissanite rates 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale, second only to diamond among popular gemstones, so it is well suited to rings you wear every day.

Color and clarity

Where a listing states a color grade such as D, E or F, it refers to the colorless end of the scale. Clarity grades such as VVS1 mean inclusions are very hard to see even under magnification. If a grade isn't listed for a piece, email us before you order and we'll tell you what we know.

Choosing a shape

Round gives the most sparkle; oval and pear look larger for their weight and lengthen the finger; emerald and Asscher step cuts trade sparkle for clean, mirror-like flashes; marquise and radiant are bold and distinctive.

Choosing a metal

Sterling silver (S925) is the most affordable option. 10K gold is harder-wearing and contains less gold; 14K gold has a richer color. The metals available are listed on each product page.

Caring for moissanite

Clean with warm water, a drop of mild soap and a soft brush, rinse and dry with a lint-free cloth. Store pieces separately so harder stones don't scratch softer metals.