ARVENIER
They are three different materials. Lab-grown diamond is real diamond made in a laboratory. Moissanite is silicon carbide, nearly as hard as diamond and with more colourful sparkle. Cubic zirconia is a softer, low-cost simulant that looks bright when new but scratches and dulls sooner.
At a glance
| Lab-grown diamond | Moissanite | Cubic zirconia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Carbon (diamond) | Silicon carbide | Zirconium dioxide |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 10 | About 9.25 | About 8–8.5 |
| Sparkle | White brilliance, moderate fire | Very bright, strong rainbow fire | Bright when clean, less lively |
| Weight for the same size | Reference | Slightly lighter | Noticeably heavier |
| Long-term wear | Excellent | Excellent | Surface can scratch and look cloudy over years |
Lab-grown diamond
Chemically and physically the same as mined diamond. It is graded with the same colour, clarity and cut terms, and serious stones usually come with a laboratory report. It costs more than moissanite or cubic zirconia.
Moissanite
A gem in its own right, not a type of diamond. Its higher dispersion gives more rainbow flashes, which some people love and others find too colourful. Larger stones can show a faint warm or grey tint depending on quality, so check the colour description.
Cubic zirconia
An affordable way to get a white sparkle for fashion jewellery. Because it is softer, its facet edges wear and its surface picks up fine scratches, so it suits pieces you wear occasionally or plan to replace.
How to choose
- You want diamond itself: lab-grown diamond.
- You want long-lasting sparkle at a lower price and like colourful fire: moissanite.
- You want a fashion look on a small budget: cubic zirconia.
Whatever you pick, the listing should name the stone plainly. Be wary of vague phrases like “diamond-look” without a material named.
Frequently asked questions
Which one looks most like a natural diamond?
Lab-grown diamond, because it is diamond. Moissanite looks more colourful; cubic zirconia looks similar when new.
Which is most durable for daily wear?
Lab-grown diamond, then moissanite very closely behind. Cubic zirconia is noticeably softer.