Moissanite vs Cubic Zirconia——Which one is best for you?
When it comes to choosing the perfect gemstone for your jewelry, the options can be overwhelming. Two popular alternatives to diamonds are Moissanite and Cubic Zirconia. Both of these gemstones offer their unique benefits, but which one is right for you? In this blog, we'll compare Moissanite and Cubic Zirconia in terms of color, hardness and price to help you make an informed decision.
What are Moissanite and Cubic Zirconia?
Moissanite, whose chemical composition is silicon carbide, has a dispersion of 0.104 and a refractive index of 2.65-2.69. It has diamond luster, strong fire, and is close to diamonds.
Cubic zirconia is classified as a diamond simulant - a stone that looks similar to natural diamonds, but is made of different material. Cubic zirconia is made of zirconium dioxide. The cubic part of the name comes from the fact that the stone has a cubic crystalline form.
Moissanite vs Cubic Zirconia
Color:
Moissanite is a clear/colorless stone that may be slightly yellow or green. However, many artificially dyed moissanite colors are now available, there are relatively few to choose from.
Cubic zircon is often made in gorgeous iridescent colors that mimic colored diamonds. These alluring hues include pink, blue, green, yellow and more.
Hardness:
Moissanite is extremely hard, ranking 9.25 on the Mohs scale. This makes it one of the hardest substances on Earth, second only to diamonds (10). Its hardness ensures that Moissanite is highly resistant to scratches and suitable for everyday wear.
Cubic Zirconia is softer than Moissanite, ranking 8-8.5 on the Mohs scale. While still relatively hard, CZ is more prone to scratches and wear over time, especially with daily use.
Price:
While Moissanite is significantly less expensive than diamonds, it is generally more expensive than Cubic Zirconia. The higher cost is due to its superior durability, brilliance, and the more complex process of creating Moissanite in a lab.
Cubic Zirconia is one of the most affordable diamond alternatives on the market. Its low cost makes it a popular choice for costume jewelry, fashion pieces, or those on a tight budget.
Can they pass the diamond pen test?
Conclusion
Choosing between moissanite and cubic zirconia ultimately depends on your priorities. If you value durability, long-lasting brilliance, and a stone that looks similar to a diamond, then moissanite is the better choice. However, if affordability and variety are your main concerns and you don't mind the occasional maintenance or replacement, then cubic zirconia may be your best choice.Both gemstones have their own unique appeal. Whether you choose moissanite for its enduring sparkle or cubic zirconia for its affordability, iCEGIANT has a prefect jewelry option for you.