Moissanite vs Diamond Price: What to Expect When Shopping

 

Shopping for a diamond engagement ring? Be prepared for some sticker shock: A 1-carat diamond will cost 10x more than a comparable moissanite stone—and that’s on the conservative side. That's over 90% savings for a stone that looks nearly identical to the untrained eye.

In this guide, we break down the massive moissanite vs. diamond price difference, why the price gap exists, and what different budgets can actually buy. We're focusing primarily on natural diamonds with a quick look at lab-grown diamonds as a middle option.

Moissanite vs Diamond: The Basics

First, a quick primer on what these stones actually are.

Moissanite is a lab-created gemstone made from silicon carbide. Originally discovered in meteorites in 1893, today's moissanite is grown in controlled lab environments. It's designed to mimic diamond's brilliance at a fraction of the cost.

Diamonds are carbon-based gemstones that form naturally deep within the earth (or created in labs). They're graded using the 4Cs—cut, color, clarity, and carat weight—which dramatically affect pricing.

For a more complete look at the differences between moissanite and diamonds, be sure to check out our 

Do Moissanite and Diamond Look Different?

To most people? Not really.

Both stones sparkle brilliantly. Side-by-side, they're nearly impossible to tell apart without specialized equipment. But there are subtle differences.

Moissanite has a higher refractive index than diamond—2.65 compared to diamond's 2.42. This means it bends light differently, creating more "fire" (those rainbow flashes you see when light hits the stone).

Some people love this extra sparkle. Others call it the "disco ball effect" and prefer diamond's more subtle brilliance. Either way, it’s an extremely subtle difference and really just comes down to personal preference.

Also, both stones are incredibly durable. Diamond ranks 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, while moissanite comes in at 9.25. In other words, both moissanite and diamond handle everyday wear without issue.

Understanding the Moissanite vs Diamond Cost Gap

We've established that moissanite costs far less than diamonds. Now, let’s dig a bit deeper into the dramatic difference in moissanite price vs diamond to see what’s really happening.

The Moissanite Advantage

Moissanite is lab-created with a steady, scalable supply. No mining required. Just controlled, ethical production in a facility.

The pricing structure is simpler, too. Moissanite is sold by millimeter size or DEW (Diamond Equivalent Weight), not traditional carat weight. It doesn't require the complex 4Cs grading system that diamonds do.

Likewise, quality control is consistent. Nearly all moissanite today is high clarity and colorless (or near-colorless). Thus, there's no sorting through thousands of stones to find a rare "flawless" specimen.

Why Diamonds Command Premium Pricing

Natural diamonds take millions of years to form. The supply is finite, and mining them requires massive operations—excavation, extraction, processing, and transport.

Then comes the grading complexity. The 4Cs create wild price variations. A 1-carat diamond can cost anywhere from $2,500 to $15,000 or more, depending on its cut quality, color grade, clarity, and exact carat weight. And even small differences in these factors can double or triple the price.

There's also decades of marketing behind diamonds. The "diamonds are forever" campaign worked extremely well, creating cultural and symbolic value that keeps demand (and prices) high.

Finally, there’s the supply chain, where every step adds significant cost: mining, cutting, certification by GIA or AGS, and retail markup. It all compounds.

What About Lab-Grown Diamonds?

Lab-grown diamonds sit somewhere in the middle on the diamond vs moissanite price spectrum.

They're chemically identical to natural diamonds—real carbon crystal structure, same hardness, same optical properties. But because they're created in labs, they cost 40-60% less than natural diamonds.

Still, lab diamonds run 2-4x more expensive than moissanite of the same size. If you want a "real diamond" for less, that's the trade-off.

Moissanite Cost vs Diamond: Real-World Pricing (2025)

Now let's get specific. What does the typical 1-carat diamond vs 1-carat moissanite price difference actually look like when you're shopping? And how does that gap scale as stone size increases?

Here's what you can actually expect to pay for the stone alone (settings cost extra), using 2025 pricing from Gema&Co for the moissanite and lab-grown options and a market average for natural diamonds.  Also, remember that moissanite is sold by millimeter size (DEW = Diamond Equivalent Weight), so a 1-ct equivalent moissanite looks like a 1-ct diamond but weighs less.

A couple of important things to note here.

Natural diamond prices reflect typical ranges for VS2-SI1 clarity, G-I color, and excellent cut. But remember, diamonds vary massively based on the 4Cs. A $4,000 diamond and a $10,000 diamond at the same carat weight look very different in person.

Moissanite pricing is based on super premium or colorless grades—equivalent to D-F on the diamond color scale. Similarly, lab-grown prices are based on the equivalent to D-E on the diamond color scale with VS+ clarity or better.

The takeaway is this: at every size point, moissanite costs a fraction of what diamonds do. And that gap in the cost of moissanite vs diamond becomes even more pronounced as you go larger.

Beyond the Sticker Price: Other Factors in the Price of Moissanite vs Diamond

But the stone price is just the starting point. When you're budgeting for an engagement ring, there are several other costs to factor in—some apply equally to all stones, while others can change drastically depending on what you choose.

Understanding these additional expenses helps you plan realistically and avoid surprises down the line. Let's break down what else you'll pay for.

Setting Costs

Good news—settings cost the same whether you choose moissanite or diamond.

Your metal choice drives the price. 14k gold costs less than 18k, which costs less than platinum. Design complexity also matters.

For example, a simple solitaire might run $300 to $800, where an intricate halo or vintage-inspired design can hit $2,000 to $5,000 or more.

But the stone itself doesn't change the setting price.

Insurance

Natural diamonds typically require significant coverage. If you're insuring a $4,000 to $50,000 stone, expect higher premiums—often $100 to $300+ per year.

However, moissanite insurance is minimal. Many couples skip it entirely or add it as a rider on their homeowner's or renter's policy for under $50 annually.

As before, lab-grown diamonds fall somewhere in between the two in insurance costs.

Maintenance and Resizing

Both moissanite and diamond require similar maintenance. Professional cleaning should be done periodically, and prong settings should be inspected occasionally to ensure security.

Resizing costs are identical regardless of stone type. The expense comes from the metalwork involved, not the gemstone itself.

Resale Value: Moissanite vs Diamond

This is the part of the argument where diamonds are a clear-cut winner.

Natural diamonds retain approximately 20-50% of their retail value when resold. There's an established secondary market. If you view your ring as a potential heirloom or asset, natural diamonds have the edge.

Lab-grown diamonds have limited resale value, usually 10-30% of what you paid. The market is newer, and demand isn't as strong.

Moissanite has minimal resale value as a gemstone. If you sell or pawn moissanite jewelry, you'll get paid for the metal (gold or platinum), not the stone. The value is sentimental, not financial.

Bottom line? If resale matters to you, go natural diamond. If maximizing your upfront budget and current sparkle is the priority, moissanite wins.

Which Option Makes Sense for You: Moissanite or Diamond?

There's no universal "right answer" here. It depends on your priorities.

When Is Moissanite the Best Choice?

• You want maximum size and sparkle for your budget

• Upfront cost savings matter more than resale value

• You're drawn to ethical sourcing without mining involved

• You love that extra fire and brilliance moissanite delivers

When Is a Natural Diamond the Best Choice?

• Tradition and cultural symbolism matter to you

• You want potential resale or heirloom value down the line

• You prefer diamond's subtler, classic brilliance over moissanite's rainbow sparkle

• Your budget allows for the premium

When Is a Lab-Grown Diamond the Best Choice?

• You want a "real diamond" but can't justify natural diamond pricing

• Ethical sourcing is important, but you still want some resale potential

• You're looking for the sweet spot between moissanite's affordability and natural diamond's prestige

The right choice aligns with your budget, values, and vision for what this ring represents.

Find Your Perfect Ring at Gema&Co

The numbers tell a clear story. Moissanite delivers exceptional value for couples prioritizing size and sparkle within their budget. Natural diamonds offer lasting resale value and cultural significance for those who can invest at a premium. Lab-grown diamonds bridge the gap for buyers seeking authenticity at a more accessible price point.

Each option has merit depending on what matters most to you, and there's no wrong choice when it aligns with your priorities and vision for this moment.

Ready to explore your options? Browse Gema&Co's moissanite engagement ring collection, where every stone is selected for superior clarity and brilliance. Or work with our design team to create something completely custom.

Whatever you choose, you'll find transparent pricing and expert guidance at Gema&Co—so don’t hesitate to reach out.

Frequently Asked Questions: Moissanite vs Diamond Price

Is a 2-carat diamond the same size as a 2-carat moissanite?

No, a 2-carat diamond and a 2-carat moissanite are not the same physical size because moissanite is less dense than diamond. Moissanite is typically sold by millimeter size or DEW (Diamond Equivalent Weight) to show what diamond carat size it visually matches, so a "2-carat equivalent" moissanite will look like a 2-carat diamond even though it weighs less.

Is moissanite pawnable?

Moissanite has minimal resale or pawn value because it's a lab-created gemstone with steady supply rather than a rare natural stone. Pawn shops and resellers focus on the metal (gold or platinum) in moissanite jewelry rather than the stone itself, so expect little to no value for the moissanite when pawning or reselling.

Why is Amazon moissanite so cheap?

Amazon moissanite is often cheaper because many sellers offer lower-grade stones with more visible color tints, less precise cuts, or inconsistent quality control compared to premium brands. You typically get what you pay for—budget moissanite may save money upfront but can lack the fire, clarity, and durability of higher-quality stones from established jewelers.

Which is better, zirconia or moissanite?

Moissanite is significantly better than cubic zirconia for durability and longevity, with a hardness of 9.25 compared to CZ's 8-8.5 on the Mohs scale. While CZ costs less upfront ($10-50 per carat vs moissanite's $400-600), it scratches easily and typically needs replacing within 2-5 years, whereas moissanite lasts a lifetime with proper care.