Collection: Moissanite Pendant Collection

Moissanite and lab grown diamond are both very similar, but here are some of the key differences between the two:

1. Gemstone Origin: Both moissanite and lab diamonds are grown in a laboratory, but with different methods. Lab diamonds are formed using high heat or high pressure as well as high heat which melts carbon around the seed of a natural diamond in order to grow a new lab grown diamond. Moissanite is grown by exposing silicon carbide powder to great heat and pressure so that it becomes a gas to create the right conditions for a moissanite to grow.

2. Composition: Lab grown diamonds are made of carbon, just like natural diamonds, while moissanite is composed of silicon carbide. This difference in composition gives them slightly different physical and optical properties even though they can be almost indistinguishable to the naked eye.

3. Hardness and Durability: Diamonds are the hardest known substance, ranking a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Moissanite, while also very hard, ranks at 9.25 on the Mohs scale. This means that diamonds are slightly harder and more resistant to scratching than moissanite, even though it is still harder than almost all other gemstones.

4. Brilliance and Dispersion: Lab diamonds and moissanite have slightly different optical properties. Diamonds have a high refractive index, which contributes to their brilliance and sparkle. Moissanite, on the other hand, has an even higher refractive index, which means it can exhibit even more brilliance, sometimes displaying rainbow colours when held in the right light.

When it comes to the difference in appearance between a moissanite pendant or a lab grown diamond pendant, the two are almost indistinguishable! The key thing to consider is that a moissanite pendant is much more affordable than a lab diamond pendant which is great if you have a budget to keep to. At Ethica, all of our moissanite gemstones are Ethica Diamonds - a moissanite with a diamond infusion- which have been grown using patented technology. They come in E colour with VVS1 clarity and a variety of carat weights.

Absolutely! Both lab grown diamonds and natural diamonds cost vastly more than moissanite due to their perceived value and the expenses required to mine and produce. Lab diamonds are much cheaper to produce and so cost consumers a fraction of the cost of mined diamonds. Moissanite is again more affordable than even lab grown diamonds.

The production methods of lab diamond and moissanite are not dissimilar, but lab diamonds require more energy than moissanite. This is part of the reason moissanite is cheaper to buy. However, another possible reason is that diamonds have a more established history of advertising than moissanite does. For instance, the branding made famous by Marilyn Monroe that “diamonds are a girl’s best friend” has made the perceived value of diamond, including lab grown diamonds, much more than the perceived value of moissanite regardless of real world production costs. Because of this, people are often prepared to pay more for diamonds than they are for moissanite.

The quality of moissanite is very similar to diamond and makes it a wonderful alternative to diamond jewellery without minimising visible beauty or durability while remaining affordable.

Moissanite is one of the hardest materials according to the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. It has a value of 9.25 Mohs which is only slightly less than diamond which has a value of 10 Mohs. This means that moissanite is incredibly durable and resistant, comparable to the durability of diamond. It is suitable for everyday wear and can withstand the usual wear and tear of any lab diamond pendant as long as it receives proper care. 

As with any jewellery, its longevity is largely dependent on the lifestyle of the wearer and what their jewellery is regularly exposed to. But with regular cleaning using mild soap, warm water, and a soft brush as well as safe keeping when not being worn, there is no reason your moissanite pendant won’t last as long as a lab grown diamond pendant.

A moissanite pendant usually means a single gemstone or cluster of gemstones set onto a single pendant finding. The pendant finding is an often freely moving decorative piece which hangs from a necklace or chain and is designed to showcase the moissanite centrepiece. 

A moissanite necklace has moissanite gemstones incorporated throughout its design. This might be in the form of a pendant studded with moissanite where multiple gemstones are set into the centrepiece. It can also be a necklace where moissanites are set along the chain as part of a designed element.

Essentially, a moissanite pendant showcases a single central feature, while a moissanite necklace might involve a more extensive design where multiple gemstones are incorporated throughout the entire piece of jewellery.