What is moissanite?

A modern gemstone with a very special sparkle

Moissanite is a beautiful gemstone known for its strong brilliance, high durability, and vibrant play of light. It consists of the mineral silicon carbide (SiC) and has properties that make it very well suited for frequently worn jewelry.

What distinguishes moissanite from many other stones is its combination of hardness, clarity, and light response. It has a distinct luster and a beautiful play of color that brings the stone to life when it catches the light.

Moissanite is not diamond – and should not be referred to as such. It is its own gemstone with its own history, its own expression, and its own qualities.

The history behind moissanite

Moissanite was first identified in material from a meteorite crater. Natural moissanite exists but is extremely rare and typically occurs in very small crystals. Therefore, moissanite used in jewelry today is usually lab-grown, allowing the stone to be produced in the correct size, clarity, and quality for jewelry manufacturing. GIA describes synthetic moissanite as silicon carbide with refractive indices of 2.648 and 2.691, dispersion of 0.104, and a hardness of 9¼ on the Mohs scale.

The fact that the stone is lab-grown does not mean it is “fake”. It has the same basic chemical composition — silicon carbide — and the same optical properties that make moissanite so special.

Hardness: how durable is moissanite?

Hardness is often measured on the Mohs hardness scale, which ranges from 1 to 10. The higher the number, the more resistant the stone is to scratches.

Moissanite typically scores around 9.25 on the Mohs scale, while diamond scores 10. This means that moissanite is a very hard stone and well suited for daily wear in rings, necklaces, and earrings. Diamond is listed by GIA with a Mohs hardness of 10, while GIA's gemological description of synthetic moissanite states its hardness as 9¼.

This makes moissanite a good choice for jewelry that is meant to be worn often. At the same time, it is important to remember that hardness does not mean the stone is impossible to damage. All jewelry should be treated with care, especially with hard impacts, exercise, and contact with chemicals.

Brilliance: how the stone reflects light

Brilliance refers to how a stone reflects white light back to the eye. One of the reasons moissanite appears so lively is its high refractive index.

The refractive index describes how much light bends when it passes through the stone. The higher the refractive index, the more intensely the light can be reflected back.

Moissanite has a refractive index of approximately 2.648–2.691, while diamond is around 2.417–2.42. This is one of the reasons moissanite is often perceived as very brilliant and bright.

Simply put: moissanite is very good at "catching" and reflecting light back.

Fire: the beautiful play of color

When speaking of “fire” in a gemstone, it refers to the play of color that occurs when white light is dispersed into rainbow colors within the stone. The technical term for this is dispersion.

This is one of moissanite's most well-known characteristics.

Moissanite has a dispersion of approximately 0.104, while diamond has a dispersion of 0.044. This means that moissanite can show more play of color than diamond, especially in direct light.

Therefore, moissanite can sometimes sparkle with distinct small rainbow glints. Some people love this precisely because the stone feels lively and full of character. Others prefer the diamond's more classic, whiter light reflection. It comes down to taste and which aesthetic one prefers.

Clarity and color

Moissanite used in modern jewelry is often lab-grown precisely to ensure consistent quality, good clarity, and beautiful color.

At VIRELLE, we use moissanite with high clarity and color grade for a clean and elegant look. Many of our stones have D-color and VVS-clarity, meaning the stone appears very clear and bright.

High clarity allows light to travel more purely through the stone, contributing to the beautiful sparkle moissanite is known for.

The cut matters a lot

The cut affects how the stone reflects light, and therefore different cuts have different expressions.

Brilliant-cut moissanite
The most classic cut. Offers much life and sparkle, perfect for those who want a timeless look.

Oval-cut moissanite
Soft, elegant, and feminine. Oval cut is popular because the shape often feels flattering on the hand.

Emerald-cut moissanite
More calm and sophisticated. Emerald cut has clean lines and a more "mirror-like" light, rather than an intense glitter effect.

Cushion-cut moissanite
Softer shape with a vintage feel. Combines the classic with a more romantic expression.

Pear-cut / teardrop-cut moissanite
Elegant and a bit more distinctive. The shape gives a feminine expression and works well in both rings and pendants.

Marquise-cut moissanite
Slender and striking. A cut with character that often makes the finger appear longer and narrower.

Heart-cut moissanite
Romantic and personal. A shape often associated with love and symbolism.

Why choose moissanite?

Moissanite is suitable for those who want a stone with beautiful sparkle, high durability, and a modern aesthetic.

It offers a lot of light, a lot of life, and a lot of jewelry for your money. At the same time, it has a quality that makes it well-suited for jewelry you actually wear — not just jewelry that sits in a box.

For many, moissanite is a conscious choice: a beautiful gemstone with modern origins, strong brilliance, and excellent durability.

Moissanite vs. Diamond

Moissanite and diamond may look similar at first glance, but they are two different stones with distinct properties.

Diamond consists of carbon, while moissanite consists of silicon carbide. Diamond is harder, while moissanite has higher dispersion and can exhibit more play of color in light. GIA lists diamond with a refractive index of 2.42, specific gravity of 3.52, and Mohs hardness of 10; IGS states diamond's dispersion as 0.044.

What does this mean in practice?

If you want the hardest natural gemstone and the most traditional symbolism, diamond is a classic choice.

If you want a stone with high durability, distinct sparkle, more play of color, and a more modern price point, moissanite is a beautiful alternative.

One is not necessarily “better” than the other. They are simply different.

Diamond has history and tradition.
Moissanite has brilliance, character, and modern elegance.

Why we use moissanite

We have chosen moissanite because it perfectly aligns with our vision for jewelry: timeless designs, beautiful details, and quality that can be enjoyed over time.

Moissanite gives jewelry a lively sparkle without the look feeling heavy or excessive. It works equally well in a simple solitaire ring as in a more striking statement piece.

For us, moissanite isn't just about numbers, hardness, and brilliance.
It's about the feeling of jewelry that accompanies you — in everyday life, in special moments, and in the memories you carry forward.