CZ Sterling Silver Jewelry Shopper

We’ve covered this a bit in the past, but sometimes we see the terms cubic zirconia and moissanite used interchangeably and wanted to list out some differences in terms of look and price.  Both are synthetic when used in jewelry.  While moissanite tends to cost more, it lacks the whiteness and clarity of cubic zirconia and is more easily distinguishable from real diamonds.  Moissanite is, however, harder than cubic zirconia, contributing to its greater luster.  Depending on the characteristics that are important to you (e.g. clarity vs. fire), you may decide to purchase one over the other.

Here are a few more differences:

“HARDNESS: Diamond is the hardest gemstone, measuring 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. Although Cubic Zirconia is considered a hard stone (8.5), Moissanite is a very hard stone (9.25). The higher on the hardness scale, the better the luster and the lower likelihood of surface scratches.

REFRACTIVE INDEX (BRILLIANCE): Diamonds and Cubic Zirconia are both singly refractive. Moissanite is highly doubly refractive, which results in a rather noticeable “doubling” of facets when viewed visually. While CZ is so visually close to a diamond as to be difficult to see a difference, this is the most important identifying characteristic for separating Moissanite from a diamond or Cubic Zirconia.

DISPERSION (FIRE): Moissanite has nearly 2-1/2 times the fire of a diamond – which is excessive to some but more beautiful to others. Cubic Zirconia has slightly more fire than a diamond, but the difference is almost visually indistinguishable.”

Cubic Zirconia – Moissanite Wedding Rings.

Natural moissanite was first found in 1905 as a small component of a meteorite in Arizona by Dr. Ferdinand Henri Moissan, after whom the material is named in the gem market.  However, like cubic zirconia, the better known diamond simulant, most moissanite jewelry is actually synthetic.

Both moissanite and cz are harder than most natural gemstones.  Moissanite, however is more heat resistant, which can effect the way jewelry is assembled.  Moissanite gemstones are lighter than diamonds, while cz gemstones are slightly heavier. Cubic zirconia has been marketed as an alternative to diamonds since the 1970s, however moissanite jewelry came out in the late 1990s.

Here’s an excerpt from this jewelry education article:

“In 1998 C3, Inc. (Charles and Colvard) [Nasdaq: CTHR], a subsidiary of Cree Research, Inc., introduced gem-quality synthetic silicon carbide onto the market under the name “moissanite” ,marketing it as a lower-cost alternative to diamond. For example, a 1 carat moissanite gem sells for about $600 (2005 USD), while a diamond of similar size and color typically runs for upwards of $4500. Synthetic moissonite is approximately as hard as diamond, with a slightly higher index of refraction and greater dispersion; these qualities make SiC a decent and durable diamond simulant. It is interesting to note that the higher dispersion and index of refraction means moissanite has more fire and brilliance than diamond.”

Jewelry Education Moissanite (Silicon Carbide) Gem Business Cubic Zirconia CZ Diamond Designer Jewelry.

It takes years of experience to be able to distinguish diamonds from its many types of simulants and similar stones.  It can also take time to wade through the way these stones are named and marketed.  This guide provides an overview of synthetic and natural gemstones that resemble diamonds.  It provides a useful comparison of moissanite, cubic zirconia and diamonds (among other stones), their visual characteristics and brilliance.

“Cubic Zirconia is an artificial synthetic because the stabilizing oxides used in its manufacture remain in the finished product and its structure is different to the natural material Baddeleyite Zr02. This has been such a good imitation that cubic zirconia can be purchased in both graded colours and clarities. Its refractive index is near enough for the stone to remain quite brilliant when tilted, and although the dispersion is higher than that of diamond, is not so obvious to the layman, and close enough to deceive. The relative density is much higher than diamond and a loose stone will appear to weigh too much.”

Diamond Simulants- Moissanite to Sapphire...