Moissanite vs Lab-Grown Diamond

Moissanite and lab-grown diamond can both bring bright sparkle to jewelry, but they are different gemstones. Knowing the distinction helps you choose a piece for your style and budget.

What is the difference?

Moissanite is silicon carbide. A lab-grown diamond is diamond grown in a controlled environment. Moissanite is not a lab-grown diamond, even when both stones appear colorless. GIA explains these distinctions in its guide to moissanite and lab-grown diamonds.

Compare the look

Moissanite is known for strong rainbow-like flashes. Diamond has a different balance of brilliance and fire. Lighting, stone shape and setting all affect what you see, so compare close-up videos as well as still photographs. Choose the appearance you enjoy rather than assuming the two materials are identical.

Understand size descriptions

Some moissanite listings use diamond equivalent weight, abbreviated DEW, to describe the size of a diamond with similar dimensions. DEW is not the actual weight of the moissanite. Check the individual listing and millimeter measurements where provided when comparing stones.

Check the accompanying report

Maison Léa moissanite jewelry includes GRA documentation. Our lab-grown diamond center stones come with matching IGI reports, and an additional GIA report can be requested before ordering. These are different documents for different materials; a GRA moissanite report is not an IGI or GIA diamond report. Read our standards and certificate guide.

Choose your starting point

For everyday styling, explore our moissanite stacking rings and tennis bracelets. For a personalized diamond piece, visit lab-grown diamond rings and discuss the stone, setting and final quote with us.