Yes. Moissanite is a genuine mineral with the chemical composition silicon carbide (SiC), a scientific classification, documented physical properties, and its own grading system. It occurs naturally in vanishingly small quantities and is produced in laboratories for commercial use, and both forms are the same compound with the same physical structure.
Where the question actually comes from
Most people asking this are really asking whether moissanite is the same as diamond. It isn't, and it was never meant to be. Emeralds, sapphires, and rubies are all real gemstones too, and none of them are diamonds either. Moissanite sits in that same category: a genuine mineral with documented properties, its own scientific classification, and its own certification standard, not a diamond and not pretending to be one.
Where moissanite comes from
Moissanite was first identified in 1893 by French chemist Henri Moissan, inside a meteorite crater in Arizona. He initially believed he'd found diamonds. Further analysis showed the crystals were silicon carbide, a compound not previously known to occur naturally in gemstone form. Natural moissanite is extraordinarily rare, found only in trace amounts in a handful of meteorites and geological formations, which is why almost every moissanite used in jewellery today, including everything we set, is produced in a laboratory under controlled conditions using the same chemical growth process nature uses.
Is "lab-grown" the same as "fake"?
No, and this is worth being precise about. In gemology, "synthetic" or "lab-grown" describes a stone grown under controlled conditions that has the same chemical and physical properties as its natural counterpart, not an imitation. Lab-grown moissanite is genuine silicon carbide with the same hardness, brilliance, and durability as the rare natural version. The same logic applies to our lab-grown diamonds: a lab diamond has the identical carbon structure of a mined one. Growing a stone in a controlled environment doesn't make it less real, it makes it more consistently available and considerably more affordable.
How moissanite is graded
Moissanite is graded and certified by GRA, the Gemological Research Association, which evaluates colour, clarity, and cut against criteria specific to the stone. Every moissanite we set ships with a GRA certificate confirming its identity, grade, and authenticity, so you're never taking anyone's word for what you're buying. See our certification page for exactly how that grading works.
How moissanite compares to diamond
Moissanite is harder than almost every other gemstone but slightly softer than diamond, 9.25 versus 10 on the Mohs scale, and both are durable enough for daily wear. Moissanite has a higher refractive index than diamond, 2.65 against 2.42, which is why it produces more fire and more visible rainbow flashes in direct light. Some buyers love that intensity. Others prefer diamond's more restrained sparkle. Neither preference is wrong, it's genuinely a matter of taste, and our full moissanite vs diamond comparison covers price, certification, and durability alongside the optics.
Frequently asked questions
Is moissanite a fake diamond?
No. It's its own gemstone with a different chemical composition, different optical properties, and its own certification system. It isn't sold as a diamond and was never meant to be one.
Can a jeweller tell moissanite from diamond?
Yes. A trained jeweller using a thermal or dual-mode conductivity tester can distinguish the two reliably.
Is natural moissanite available to buy?
Natural moissanite exists but is extraordinarily rare and not commercially available. Every moissanite we use, like almost all moissanite sold today, is lab-grown.
Does moissanite come with a certificate?
Yes. Every moissanite ring we make ships with a GRA certificate confirming the stone's identity, colour, clarity, and cut.
Will moissanite lose its sparkle over time?
No. Its optical properties are permanent. It won't cloud, fade, or change appearance with normal wear, routine cleaning is all it needs.
Browse the full moissanite engagement ring collection, read the complete What Is Moissanite guide, or start a free design consultation to begin your own GRA-certified ring.