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Moissanite and cubic zirconia are sometimes used in place of diamonds because they look similar to diamonds.However, there are differences in hardness, shine, and price, so be sure to understand them before purchasing.In this article, we will explain the difference between moissanite and cubic zirconia.

Moissanite and cubic zirconia are popular gemstones that resemble diamonds, but few people understand how these two are different. By understanding the differences in shine, hardness, price, etc., you will avoid confusion when purchasing. We will explain in detail the differences between moissanite and cubic zirconia while comparing them with diamonds.

What is moissanite?

Moissanite is a mineral found in meteorites, and like diamonds, it contains carbon.Natural moissanite is found only in meteorites, making it extremely rare and expensive. Synthetic moissanite is now being made by replicating the mineral.Nowadays, technology has advanced and it is now easy to purchase.Most of the moissanite currently on the market is synthetic.

What is cubic zirconia?

Cubic zirconia is made by mixing zirconia with magnesium oxide, yttrium oxide, etc. While moissanite is difficult to distinguish from diamond, cubic zirconia is easily distinguishable.

Difference between moissanite and cubic zirconia

As mentioned above, moissanite and cubic zirconia look very similar to diamonds.Let's compare how they differ by focusing on three points: hardness, shine, and price.

1. Hardness

The hardness of gemstones and minerals is measured based on the Mohs hardness.Moissanite has a hardness of 9.5 and cubic zirconia has a hardness of 8.5, so it can be said that moissanite is much harder.

2. Shine

The brilliance of a gemstone is expressed by the refractive index and degree of dispersion of light; the higher the value, the more brillianceMoissanite has a refractive index of 2.65 to 2.69 and a dispersion of 0.104, while cubic zirconia has a refractive index of 2.13 and a dispersion of 0.060. When comparing moissanite and cubic zirconia, moissanite has a stronger shine.Beautiful brilliance is also a characteristic of moissanite, and it is said to be about 2.5 times brighter than a diamond of the same carat weight. However, this value is said to be due to the fact that the degree of dispersion of light is approximately 2.5 times higher.

3. Price

In terms of price, cubic zirconia is cheaper than moissanite.Although there are some differences in price depending on the store, the Moana site is sold at a higher price. However, depending on the size, both can be purchased for a tenth of the price of diamonds, or even more.If you don't have a particular preference, some people choose moissanite or cubic zirconia for their engagement ring.

Understand the difference between moissanite and cubic zirconia before choosing!

Moissanite and cubic zirconia both have something in common that they resemble diamonds, but when you compare them, you can see differences in shine, hardness, etc. There are still very few stores in Japan that carry the Moana site, so some people may have never seen it.If you are unsure which one to choose, it is easier to choose by actually comparing moissanite and cubic zirconia, but the same store may not carry both. Therefore, we recommend that you thoroughly understand the differences between moissanite and cubic zirconia before deciding which one to purchase.