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Moissanite vs Cubic Zirconia: What's the Difference?

If you're shopping for a diamond alternative, you've likely come across both moissanite and cubic zirconia. They're often mentioned in the same breath — but they're very different stones. Here's everything you need to know before you buy.

The Short Answer

Both moissanite and cubic zirconia are diamond alternatives, but that's roughly where the similarities end. Moissanite is a rare gemstone originally discovered in a meteor crater, now created in laboratories. It's one of the hardest substances on earth, has exceptional brilliance, and retains its sparkle for a lifetime. Cubic zirconia (CZ) is a synthetic material made from zirconium dioxide. It's inexpensive to produce, looks impressive when new, but scratches and clouds over time.

If you're looking for a stone to wear every day — particularly in a ring — the difference matters more than you might think.

"Moissanite isn't a substitute for something better. For many buyers, it simply is the better choice — more brilliant than diamond, more durable than CZ, and a fraction of the price of either."

How They Compare: The Key Differences

  • Hardness: Moissanite 9.25 Mohs vs CZ 8.0 Mohs — moissanite is significantly more scratch-resistant
  • Brilliance: Moissanite has a higher refractive index than both diamond and CZ, producing more fire and sparkle
  • Durability: Moissanite retains its brilliance for a lifetime; CZ clouds and scratches within years
  • Price: Both are affordable, but CZ is cheaper — for good reason
  • Ethical sourcing: Both are lab-created, so neither involves mining

Sparkle: Why Moissanite Actually Outshines Diamond

This is the detail that surprises most people. Moissanite has a higher refractive index than diamond — 2.65 versus diamond's 2.42 — which means it bends light more intensely and produces more fire (the coloured flashes you see as light moves through a stone). In direct sunlight or under bright lighting, a moissanite ring produces a rainbow-like dispersion that some people find even more beautiful than diamond.

Cubic zirconia, by contrast, has a refractive index of around 2.15. It sparkles when new — quite impressively, in fact — but that sparkle is more uniform and less complex than moissanite. And because CZ is much softer, the surface scratches with everyday contact, which is what causes it to cloud and dull over months of wear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is moissanite better than cubic zirconia?

For everyday wear, yes. Moissanite is significantly harder (9.25 vs 8.0 Mohs), more brilliant, and retains its sparkle for a lifetime. CZ scratches and clouds over time, making it less suitable for rings worn daily.

Will moissanite lose its sparkle?

No. Unlike CZ, moissanite does not cloud or lose brilliance over time. Its hardness means it resists scratching, and its high refractive index ensures it continues to catch light beautifully for decades.

Is cubic zirconia worth buying?

CZ is fine for occasional-wear or fashion jewellery where longevity isn't a priority. For anything you plan to wear daily — especially an engagement ring — moissanite is the far better investment.

How can you tell moissanite from cubic zirconia?

Moissanite has a higher refractive index, so it produces more rainbow-coloured fire than CZ. Under close inspection, moissanite also shows double refraction — a characteristic unique to the stone. A jeweller's loupe will reveal the difference clearly.

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