Moissanite has become a popular diamond alternative, but the two stones are quite different once you look closely.
Diamonds score a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, the hardest natural material on earth, while moissanite scores 9.25 — both are extremely durable for everyday wear. Moissanite actually has a higher refractive index than diamond, giving it more visible "fire" (rainbow flashes) versus a diamond's classic white brilliance.
The biggest difference is price: moissanite typically costs a fraction of a diamond of comparable size, making it an appealing option for larger center stones on a budget.
