Moissanite vs. Diamond: How to Choose Your Center Stone

They look almost identical, but the price and the story are very different. A jeweler's plain-English guide to choosing between moissanite and diamond.

If you're choosing a center stone for an engagement ring or a special piece, you've probably come across moissanite, and wondered how it really compares to a diamond. Both are brilliant and beautiful. Here's the honest breakdown we give our customers in Davao.

The look

To the naked eye, a well-cut moissanite and a diamond look remarkably similar. Moissanite has slightly more "fire," those flashes of rainbow color, which some people love and others find a touch showy. In everyday light, most people can't tell them apart.

Durability

Diamond is the hardest gemstone (10 on the Mohs scale); moissanite is close behind (9.25). Both are excellent for daily wear and will easily last a lifetime without scratching.

Price

This is the big one. Moissanite costs a fraction of a natural diamond of the same size, often around a tenth of the price. That means you can choose a larger or higher-quality look for the same budget, or simply spend less.

Which should you choose?

  • Choose a diamond if natural origin and traditional value matter to you.
  • Choose moissanite if you want maximum sparkle and size for your budget.
  • Lab-grown diamonds sit in between: real diamonds, lower cost.

There's no wrong answer, only what's right for you. Want to see them side by side? Visit Marico Jewelry in Poblacion District, Davao City, or message us and we'll walk you through the options.