Natural vs Lab Grown Diamonds vs Moissanite vs CZ: Key Differences

Lab-grown diamonds match natural diamonds in quality but are more affordable and eco-friendly. They also outperform cubic zirconia and moissanite in brilliance and durability.

mined Diamonds mined Diamonds
Lab-Grown Diamonds Lab-Grown Diamonds
Moissanite Moissanite
Cubic Zirconia (CZ) Cubic Zirconia (CZ)
Chemical Composition
Carbon (C) Carbon (C)
Carbon (C) Carbon (C)
Silicon Carbide (SiC) Silicon Carbide (SiC)
Zirconium Dioxide (ZrO₂) Zirconium Dioxide (ZrO₂)
Crystal Structure
Cubic crystal system
Cubic crystal system
Hexagonal crystal system (α-SiC)
Fluorite structure
Mohs Hardness
10 Extremely hard
10 Same hardness as mined diamonds
9.25 Slightly softer than diamond
8-8.5 Much softer,more prone to scratches
Refractive Index
2.42 Provides exceptional
brilliance and fire
2.42 Identical optical
performance to mined
diamonds
2.65-2.69 Higher refractive index causes an unnatural
2.15-2.18 Less brilliance,duller appearance
Dispersion Value
0.044 Balanced brilliance,
classic sparkle
0.044 Identical fire and sparkle to mined diamonds
0.104 an unnatural rainbow effect
0.058-0.066 scratch or lose sparkle over time
Thermal Conductivity
2200W /MK
2200W /MK
490W /MK
31.8W /MK
Can Be Tested with a Diamond Pen?
YES due to high thermal conductivity
YES due to high thermal conductivity
NO Moissanite conducts heat differently, and is often not detected
NO Cubic Zirconia has low thermal conductivity, so it doesn't test as diamond
Durability
Extremely durable
Durable as mined diamond
Extremely durable but can scratch with time
Low durability, can scratch or lose sparkle over time
Clarity
VS1 or higher,
rare inclusions
VS1 or higher,
high purity
Different system
Different system
mined Diamonds mined Diamonds
Lab-Grown Diamonds Lab-Grown Diamonds
Moissanite Moissanite
Cubic Zirconia (CZ) Cubic Zirconia (CZ)
more
Chemical Composition
Carbon (C) Carbon (C)
Chemical Composition
Carbon (C) Carbon (C)
Silicon Carbide (SiC) Silicon Carbide (SiC)
Zirconium Dioxide (ZrO₂) Zirconium Dioxide (ZrO₂)
Chemical Composition
Cubic crystal system
Chemical Composition
Cubic crystal system Hexagonal crystal system (α-SiC) Fluorite structure
Chemical Composition
10 Extremely hard
Chemical Composition
10 Same hardness as mined diamonds
9.25 Slightly softer than diamond
8-8.5 Much softer,more prone to scratches
Chemical Composition
2.42 Provides exceptional
brilliance and fire
Chemical Composition
2.42 Identical optical
performance to mined
diamonds
2.65-2.69 Higher refractive index causes an unnatural
2.15-2.18 Less brilliance,duller appearance
Chemical Composition
0.044 Balanced brilliance,
classic sparkle
Chemical Composition
0.044 Identical fire and sparkle to mined diamonds
0.104 an unnatural rainbow effect
0.058-0.066 scratch or lose sparkle over time
Chemical Composition
2200W /MK
Chemical Composition
2200W /MK 490W /MK 31.8W /MK
Chemical Composition
YES due to high thermal conductivity
Chemical Composition
YES due to high thermal conductivity
NO Moissanite conducts heat differently, and is often not detected
NO Cubic Zirconia has low thermal conductivity, so it doesn't test as diamond
Chemical Composition
Extremely durable
Chemical Composition
Durable as mined diamond Extremely durable but can scratch with time Low durability, can scratch or lose sparkle over time
Chemical Composition
VS1 or higher,
rare inclusions
Chemical Composition
VS1 or higher,
high purity Different system Different system
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