What is moissanite? The gemstone reshaping modern jewellery in 2026

Moissanite is having a moment — and it is not entirely explained by price. Yes, moissanite costs significantly less than diamond for an equivalent stone size. But the real reason it is now attracting serious attention from jewellery buyers is simpler: it is genuinely beautiful, holds its own against almost any comparison, and has a fire and brilliance that many buyers actively prefer to the stones it is often measured against.

Search interest in "what is moissanite" and "moissanite jewellery" has grown sharply over the past two years. This guide explains what moissanite is, how it differs from cubic zirconia and diamond, and why it is worth understanding before your next jewellery purchase.

What moissanite actually is

Moissanite is a gemstone composed of silicon carbide. It was first discovered in 1893 by French chemist Henri Moissan in a meteor crater in Arizona — the original moissanite was literally extraterrestrial in origin. Natural moissanite is exceptionally rare, which is why all moissanite used in jewellery today is laboratory-created. It carries the same chemical and physical properties as natural moissanite, simply grown in a controlled environment rather than formed in a meteorite.

• Hardness: moissanite scores 9.25 on the Mohs scale. Diamond scores 10. Sapphire and ruby score 9. Moissanite is harder than almost every other gemstone used in jewellery, which means it resists scratching and maintains its surface quality through years of everyday wear.
• Brilliance and fire: moissanite's refractive index (2.65–2.69) is higher than diamond (2.42). This means it bends light more significantly, producing greater fire — the flashes of spectral colour visible when a stone is turned in direct light. Many buyers prefer this quality; some describe it as more rainbow-like than diamond's predominantly white sparkle.
• Consistency: laboratory-created moissanite is produced with very high clarity across its full range. Unlike natural diamonds, which form with internal inclusions and characteristics, moissanite is generally eye-clean — no magnification required to see a clear stone.

Moissanite vs cubic zirconia: not the same thing

This comparison comes up consistently, and the distinction matters for buying decisions. Moissanite and cubic zirconia are both alternatives to diamond, but they are materially different gemstones.

Cubic zirconia (CZ) is a synthetic crystal composed of zirconium dioxide. It is less hard than moissanite (8.5 on the Mohs scale), has a lower refractive index, and develops surface micro-scratching more quickly under daily contact with surfaces. In a freshly manufactured piece, CZ is excellent quality and performs beautifully. In settings where the stone experiences less abrasion — earrings, pendants, bracelets — CZ maintains its brilliance well over time.

Moissanite is the harder, more durable stone. It is closer to diamond in physical properties and better suited to pieces worn every day in formats that contact surfaces regularly — rings being the clearest example.

Many Lovcia sterling silver pieces feature precision-set cubic zirconia: excellent quality, beautifully cut, and appropriate for earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Our moissanite pieces are specifically designed for daily-wear ring formats where the stone's hardness and longevity are part of the value proposition.

The four-claw setting: why it matters

The four-claw and six-claw prong settings are among the most classic in jewellery design, and for good reason. Four prongs hold the stone at equal points around its circumference, lifting it above the band to maximise light entry and exit from every direction. The stone catches light from above, from the sides, and reflects it back outwards — which is why this setting is used in engagement ring design as the default for solitaire stones.

Lovcia's Lady Four Claw Moissanite CZ Minimalist Adjustable Ring (£35) in rhodium-plated sterling silver is built around this principle. The four-claw setting lifts the stone cleanly above a slim, minimal band — this is not a design that buries the stone in a bezel or pavé cluster; it gives it space to work. The adjustable band means fit is never a barrier, which makes it as practical as it is beautiful. Hypoallergenic and lead and nickel-free.

For a slightly larger stone, the Lady 1Ct Six Claw Moissanite CZ Adjustable Ring (£38) uses six prongs to hold a 1ct stone more securely. More prongs for a heavier stone is a principle borrowed directly from high-end engagement ring design — the additional contact points distribute the hold more evenly, keeping the stone stable under daily wear.

The six-claw ring feels more substantial as a result — a design with presence, suited to women who prefer jewellery that makes itself known.

The 2ct stone: when the ring becomes a statement

At two carats, the stone becomes a significant visual presence. The Beautiful 2Ct Moissanite CZ Flower Adjustable Ring (£57) in rhodium-plated sterling silver uses a pavé flower arrangement — smaller stones set around a centre stone to create a botanical form with depth and sparkle from every angle. Nature-inspired florals and the brightness of moissanite combine in a design that photographs brilliantly and catches a room's attention.

This is not a subtle ring. It is worn when you want to be noticed — which is a legitimate and excellent purpose that jewellery has always served. The adjustable design makes it practical for any finger.

Moissanite earrings: brilliance at every angle

The optical properties of moissanite translate particularly well to stud earrings. Placed at ear height, they catch light as you move — not dramatically, but in a way that registers. A well-cut round moissanite stud has a brightness that exceeds most CZ equivalents in the same setting.

Lovcia's Gold-Plated Round Moissanite CZ Stud Earrings (£50) in 18K gold-plated sterling silver place a round moissanite stone in a clean, classic setting. The gold plating adds warmth that white metal settings do not — the contrast between warm gold and the cool precision of the stone is one of the most reliably effective combinations in jewellery.

These are earrings you forget you are wearing. They move from casual to occasion wear without needing to be changed — a quality that the best jewellery always delivers.

Should you buy moissanite?

The straightforward answer: it depends on what you value in a gemstone.

If you want the specific material, heritage, and cultural significance of a natural diamond, moissanite is a different stone and does not claim to be otherwise. If you want a gemstone that is exceptionally hard, highly brilliant, produced with consistent quality, and genuinely beautiful in a well-made setting — moissanite is an excellent choice. Not a compromise. A different stone with its own properties and a compelling case in its own right.

For sterling silver rings designed for everyday wear, the combination of moissanite and rhodium-plated 925 silver is one of the most practical and beautiful pairings available at accessible prices. The stone resists scratching, the plating keeps the silver bright, and the result is a piece that holds up over time.

Browse all Lovcia moissanite rings and earrings →

Related reading:

• The best jewellery gifts for her in 2026
• Celestial jewellery 2026: moon, stars and the pieces everyone is wearing

By the Lovcia team