<h2 data-start="470" data-end="514">Can You Tell a Moissanite from a Diamond? https://www.moimoi.com.au/can-you-tell-a-moissanite-from-a-diamond/</h2>
<p data-start="516" data-end="949">Moissanite and diamond are two gemstones that often look almost identical, making it challenging for most people to tell them apart with just the naked eye. Both stones are highly prized for their brilliance and are common choices for engagement rings and fine jewellery. Despite their similar appearance, moissanite and diamond differ in composition, properties, and optical behavior, which helps in distinguishing them when needed.

<p data-start="951" data-end="1378">Firstly, moissanite is not a diamond. Diamond is a natural crystal made entirely of carbon and is the hardest known natural material, rated 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. Moissanite, in contrast, is made from silicon carbide and is typically lab-created. While very durable, moissanite ranks slightly lower on the hardness scale, usually around 9.25 to 9.5, making it resistant to scratches but not quite as tough as a diamond.

<p data-start="1380" data-end="1786">The sparkle of these two stones is another key difference. Diamond&rsquo;s brilliance is sharp and focused mainly in white light, giving it a classic &ldquo;fire.&rdquo; Moissanite, however, produces a more rainbow-like sparkle, with flashes of color that are often more intense than those seen in diamonds. This effect is due to moissanite&rsquo;s higher light dispersion, which bends and splits light differently than a diamond.

<p data-start="1788" data-end="2198">Under magnification, trained jewelers can observe another distinction called double refraction. Moissanite is doubly refractive, meaning light passing through the stone splits into two rays. This can cause facets or internal lines to appear doubled when viewed at certain angles. Diamonds are singly refractive, so they do not display this doubling effect, making it a reliable way to differentiate the stones.



<p data-start="2200" data-end="2607">Standard diamond testers can sometimes give misleading results when testing moissanite. These testers often measure thermal conductivity, which both stones conduct well. As a result, moissanite can sometimes be misidentified as a diamond by basic testing tools. Advanced testing methods that check electrical conductivity or detailed optical characteristics are usually required for accurate identification.