Is moissanite better than cubic zirconia
Moissanite is harder and sparkles more as compared to cubic zirconia. This means that moissanite will not lose its sparkle over time. If you are able to afford to choose Moissanite, you will be able to benefit from its strength and durability. It’s a stone that can last forever.
Many couples prefer stones like moissanite or cubic zirconia to make wedding rings and engagement rings. While they look similar on first sight however, there’s much to distinguish them.
Which is the better alternative to diamonds, Moissanite vs Cubic Zirconia? We’ll compare the two most well-known diamond substitutes to assist you in making the right choice.
Moissanite Vs Cubic Zirconia
1- History and Chemical Composition
Henri Moissan first discovered moissanite in a meteor crater during the 1890s. The crystals were transported to Earth by the surface of a meteor that crashed into the crater several thousand years in the past. It is also known as an Astro diamante or stardust.
The cubic zirconia gemstone was first discovered as a rare natural gem during the late 1930s.
CZ and moissanite are natural stones that are extremely scarce in the world of nature. Therefore, every moissanite and CZ that is sold present-day are laboratory-created.
Chemical composition cubic zirconia can be described as an element of zirconium and oxygen (ZrO2) while moissanite is composed of silicon carbide (SiC) which is a mixture of carbon and silicon. Since diamonds are carbon-based minerals, Moissanite is a lot closer to diamond in terms of chemical composition as compared with cubic zirconia.
2- Brilliance
The RI of a stone determines what amount of light bent when it passes through the stone and can be a sign of the gem’s brilliance. The greater the refractive index the greater brilliance the gem has.
Diamonds have an index of refractive 2.42 while moissanite is a refractive index of 2.65. Cubic zirconia is characterized by an RI between 2.15 and 2.18 which is significantly smaller than that of moissanite. The lack of sparkle makes CZs appear transparent. This is particularly evident when placed next to sparkling diamonds and moissanite.
Moissanite also has a large amount of flame (a.k.a. dispersion of light) often referred to as the “rainbow effect,” which is apparent, especially in sunlight.CZ also contains fire (dispel) however it is less than moissanite.
The majority of shoppers are divided over their feelings about that rainbow-like effect. Some describe it as gaudy, while others adore the vibrant glitter.
If you’re looking to fire, moissanite is the best choice.
3- Color and Clarity
The gemologists grade white stones using a color chart that goes through D up to Z. Stones that have the D grade are colorless.CZ is nearly always designed to be flawless and flawless and has a high clarity rating and a lack of color. In reality, every cubic zirconia stone is graded with a color that is D. Diamonds that carry D ratings are extremely rare and extremely expensive.
Moissanite, on the other hand, isn’t always transparent or completely white. It is not unusual to find Moissanite to display green, yellow, or even grey colors, as part due to their structure imperfections. With advances in technology, the quality of moissanite color has improved.
If you’re searching for a stone that is pure in color then you should choose CZ.
4- Durability
For engagement rings and other jewelry that is intended to be worn often Durability is an important aspect. One aspect to consider when considering durability is the degree of hardness, which can be measured using the Mohs scale.
Diamonds are among the hardest stones with a perfect score of 10 points on the Mohs scale. Moissanite is a Mohs score of 9.25 which is greater than any other gemstone, with diamond being the only exception.
However, Cubic zirconia is rated at 8.8 up to 8.5 on the Mohs scale. This indicates that Moissanite is more durable to a large extent. Since both are hard stones, they are not likely to break.
In terms of durability which refers to the stone’s ability to withstand breaking, moissanite is stronger than CZ. Moissanites are characterized by a PSI score of 7.6 which indicates that they can withstand extreme pressure. On the other hand, CZs come with a PSI rating of 2.4. This signifies that moissanite has three times more resistant to chipping or breaking than CZ.
Ellora Eternity Moissanite Ring
5- Maintenance
Both cubic zirconia and moissanite require regular cleaning because they can become cloudy and hazy. This could be caused by cosmetics, household cleaners as well as body oils, and dust. This can cause them to shed their shine and look dull.
Moissanite is more able to resist dirt, as opposed to CZ. CZ easily smudges and dulls its shine more quickly. However, moissanite is prone to developing what’s called the moissanite oil slick which is a oily stain that appears on the stone. It can be cleaned off.
Learn more tips on how to clean moissanite ring.
6- Value
Moissanite or cubic zirconia is the affordable choice for those who do not need to shell out thousands for natural diamonds. However, moissanite can be more costly.
The price of Moissanite per carat is different, but the average cost for each carat of CZ is around $20. The price of Moissanite is lower than the price of diamonds is higher than the CZ.
Moissanite is a lot more difficult to make, and it takes some time and energy and requires cutting-edge technology, knowledge, and expensive process to synthesize. Overall, moissanite is around 90% cheaper than diamonds of the standard.
Moissanite also has some resale value, so it could be used as an investment. Cubic Zirconia is that there’s practically no resale value at any time.
If you’re influenced by your budgetary constraints, you’ll find that CZ is the most suitable choice for you, but if you prefer a stone that has more value moissanite is the stone to choose.
You May Want To Know Moissanite vs Lab Diamond
Check the affordable moissanite rings at Lane Woods.
Summing it Up
All in all, diamonds are the most preferred option for wedding and engagement rings. Many believe that diamonds represent a symbol of wealth and value and that other choices aren’t as appealing and provide the same experience. Since both moissanite and CZ are simulants of diamonds, so when you’re very traditional and are concerned about what other people consider, then the diamond could be the best choice.
Yet, Diamond alternative engagement rings are becoming more popular because they are an individual way to express your fashion, but even more so, you can save money.
Moissanite as well as cubic zirconia sparkle beautifully and have a high value. They are excellent choices for those who are looking for crystal-clear stones but don’t want to shell out thousands of dollars for them.
If you are deciding between these two then write the budget as well as your priority list.
If price is the main concern for you, go with cubic zirconia. It is so similar to an actual gemstone that only a certified gemologist with the right tools would be able to inspect it and confirm that it is not genuine.
If the quality of your gemstone is more important to you, you should consider moissanite. While both Moissanite, as well as CZ, are high-quality gemstones, However, Moissanite is a slight advantage in all the categories we’ve mentioned earlier. Of course, the premise of choosing moissanite is that you like its unique ‘rainbow effect’.
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