The short answer: moissanite is the closest thing to a diamond that isn't one. It's a lab-grown gemstone (silicon carbide) that is nearly as hard as diamond, and it throws more than twice as much rainbow fire. It costs a small fraction of the price, and no mining is involved. If you want a stone that looks like a diamond and lasts like one, but not the price or the mine, moissanite is the one to beat.
We sell 48 moissanite pieces that are in stock now: pendants, rings, studs and bracelets from $71 to $1,525. Below is how moissanite actually compares to diamond, how to choose between them, and what to buy.
Moissanite at a glance
- What it is: silicon carbide, grown in a lab. Natural moissanite exists, but only in tiny grains, so all gem moissanite is lab-made.
- Hardness: 9.25–9.5 on the Mohs scale. Diamond is 10. Nothing else commonly set in jewelry comes closer.
- Sparkle: refractive index about 2.65 (diamond: 2.42) and dispersion 0.104 (diamond: 0.044). So it's more brilliant, with more than twice the colorful fire.
- Weight: about 9% lighter than diamond for the same size. Density is 3.22 against 3.52.
- Is it a fake diamond? No. It's a different, real gemstone with its own properties. Like cubic zirconia, it isn't diamond, but it's far harder and more brilliant than cubic zirconia.
- At Rebellious Gal: 48 pieces in stock, from $71. They're set in 925 sterling silver, many with platinum, rhodium or 18K gold plating. Shipping is free. Pieces with stones over 0.3 ct come boxed with a certificate of stone properties.
Moissanite vs diamond: side by side
| Moissanite | Diamond | |
|---|---|---|
| Made of | Silicon carbide (SiC) | Carbon |
| Origin | Lab-grown | Mined, or lab-grown |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 9.25–9.5 | 10 |
| Refractive index (brilliance) | about 2.65 | 2.42 |
| Dispersion (fire) | 0.104 | 0.044 |
| Density | 3.22 g/cm³ | 3.52 g/cm³ |
| Refraction | Double (a jeweler can see it with magnification) | Single |
| Everyday wear | Yes, including rings worn daily | Yes |
| Price | A fraction of diamond. A 1 ct piece from us starts at $104. | Much higher, and it rises steeply with carat, color and clarity |
The gem figures are standard reference values for diamond and for moissanite.
Is moissanite a good diamond alternative?
Yes, for most people. The four things that matter in a diamond alternative are looks, durability, price and conscience, and moissanite does well on all four.
- Looks: colorless moissanite reads as diamond to almost everyone at normal distance. In bright light it shows more rainbow flashes than diamond does. Some people love that; purists notice it.
- Durability: it's the second-hardest gem in common jewelry use, so it resists the scratches that dull softer stones. It won't cloud or turn yellow with wear.
- Price: you can wear a 5 ct look for a few hundred dollars. Pendants start at $103 and a 5 ct pendant is $252.
- Conscience: it's grown in a lab, so there's no mining and no question about where the stone came from.
When a diamond is still the better choice
Choose diamond if resale value, tradition or the word "diamond" itself matters to you or to the person you're buying for. Diamond is also the pick if you want a stone with zero rainbow fire. Otherwise, moissanite gets you the look for far less.
What "carat" means with moissanite
Moissanite is lighter than diamond, so a stone the same size weighs less. Across the jewelry trade, moissanite sizes are usually described in diamond-equivalent carats: a "1 carat" moissanite is about the size of a 1 ct diamond (roughly 6.5 mm across for a round stone). Check each product page for the setting details, and ask us if you want the exact stone size.
Moissanite vs lab-grown diamond vs cubic zirconia
| Moissanite | Lab-grown diamond | Cubic zirconia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (Mohs) | 9.25–9.5 | 10 | 8–8.5 |
| Fire | Very high | Diamond-level | High |
| Holds its sparkle over years | Yes | Yes | Scratches and clouds with daily wear |
| Price | Low | Medium to high | Very low |
| Best for | Everyday diamond look on a budget | Wanting a real diamond without mining | Fashion pieces worn occasionally |
We sell moissanite and cubic zirconia, not diamonds. For how our metals and plating compare, see our jewelry materials guide.
Our moissanite range, in stock now
Prices and stock as of September 20, 2026. Every piece below is available to order and ships free.
Moissanite pendants and necklaces: the diamond pendant alternative
| Piece | Stone | Metal | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moissanite Cross Pendant Necklace | Moissanite cross | 925 silver, gold-plated option | $103 |
| 2 Carat Moissanite Pendant Necklace | 2 ct round solitaire | 925 silver | $106 |
| Moissanite Heart Necklace | Heart | 925 silver | $109 |
| 1 Carat Moissanite Pendant Necklace | 1 ct solitaire | 925 silver | $128 |
| 5 Carat Moissanite Necklace | 5 ct | Platinum-plated 925 silver | $182.45 |
| 5 Carat Moissanite Pendant Necklace | 5 ct solitaire | 925 silver | $252 |
| 10 Carat Moissanite Pendant Necklace | 10 ct | Platinum-plated 925 silver | $630 |
| 10 Carat Moissanite Teardrop Necklace | 10 ct pear | 925 silver | $645 |
| 20 Carat Moissanite Pendant Necklace | 20 ct | 925 silver | $652 |
| Moissanite Tennis Necklace | 31.8 ct total | Rhodium-plated 925 silver | $1,525 |
Moissanite rings: the diamond ring alternative
| Piece | Stone | Metal | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Carat Moissanite Ring | 1 ct | 925 silver | $104 |
| 1 Carat Moissanite Leaf Ring | 1 ct | 925 silver | $109 |
| 3 Carat Moissanite 6-Prong Ring | 3 ct solitaire | 925 silver | $156 |
| 1.5 Carat Moissanite Ring | 1.5 ct solitaire | Platinum-plated 925 silver | $212 |
| 2 Carat Moissanite Oval Ring | 2 ct oval | 925 silver | $218 |
| 5 Carat Moissanite Heart Ring | 5 ct heart | 925 silver | $235 |
| 5 Carat Moissanite Solitaire Ring | 5 ct solitaire | 925 silver | $290 |
| 8 Carat Moissanite Ring | 8 ct | 925 silver | $368 |
| 10 Carat Moissanite Solitaire Ring | 10 ct solitaire | 925 silver | $1,355 |
There are 29 moissanite rings in stock in total, including more 1 ct, 2 ct and 10 ct styles.
Moissanite earrings and bracelets
| Piece | Stone | Metal | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Carat Moissanite Stud Earrings | 1 ct studs | 925 silver, gold-plated option | $115 |
| 2 Carat Moissanite Studs | 2 ct studs | Rhodium-plated 925 silver | $119 |
| 2 Carat Moissanite Drop Earrings | 2 ct drops | Platinum-plated 925 silver | $165 |
| 2 Carat Moissanite Bracelet | 2 ct | 925 silver | $178 |
| Eternal Edge Moissanite Bracelet | 4.9 ct total | 925 silver | $349 |
How to choose: which moissanite piece for which buyer
- First "diamond" pendant or a gift under $150: the 2 ct pendant ($106) or the heart necklace ($109).
- Studs you'll wear every day: the 1 ct studs ($115). Moissanite's hardness means they keep their sparkle.
- Engagement-style solitaire ring on a budget: the 3 ct 6-prong ring ($156) or the 1.5 ct platinum-plated ring ($212).
- A statement piece with real presence: the 20 ct pendant ($652) or the 31.8 ct tennis necklace ($1,525).
Caring for moissanite jewelry
- Clean the stone with warm water, a drop of mild dish soap and a soft brush. Moissanite doesn't cloud, but skin oil dulls any stone.
- Our settings are 925 sterling silver, and many are plated. Keep them away from chlorine and perfume, and store them dry to slow tarnish. See the materials guide for more.
- Take rings off for the gym and heavy lifting. The stone is tough; the prongs holding it are the weak point, as they are on any ring.
Moissanite vs diamond FAQ
Is moissanite a real gemstone or a fake diamond?
It's a real gemstone: silicon carbide, first identified by Henri Moissan in 1893. It isn't a diamond and isn't sold as one. It's a separate gem that looks similar and outperforms diamond on fire.
Can people tell moissanite from diamond?
Almost never at a normal distance. A jeweler with a loupe can spot moissanite's double refraction, and in bright light it shows more rainbow sparkle than diamond.
Does moissanite pass a diamond tester?
Many basic thermal testers read moissanite as diamond, because the two conduct heat in a similar way. Testers that also check electrical conductivity tell them apart. We describe every stone as moissanite; we never sell it as diamond.
Will moissanite get cloudy or change color?
No. It's hard enough to resist the scratches that cloud softer stones, and its color is stable. Clean it now and then to keep the sparkle at full strength.
Is moissanite good for an engagement ring?
Yes. At 9.25–9.5 on the Mohs scale it stands up to daily wear better than any common alternative except diamond itself. Our solitaire rings start at $104 for 1 ct.
Is moissanite ethical?
It's lab-grown, so no mining is involved in producing the stone.
Do your moissanite pieces come with a certificate?
Pieces with moissanite stones over 0.3 carats come boxed with a certificate of stone properties. The product page lists what's included for each piece.
Shop all moissanite jewelry: 48 pieces in stock with free shipping. You get the look of a diamond without the price tag or the mine.
