We get this question on almost every consultation. The short answer: they are different stones, and the right one depends on what you actually want the ring to feel like in ten years.
Hardness and wear
Diamond is 10 on Mohs; moissanite is 9.25. In practice, both will survive daily wear. The difference shows up in facet edges — after five years, a moissanite on a hand-active job may show slightly soft edges, while a diamond will not.
Fire and look
Moissanite has more fire (colored flashes) than diamond. Some clients love it; others find it "too rainbow". A well-cut lab diamond reads quieter, whiter, more "classic". If you have seen moissanite and thought it looked plastic, you probably saw a poorly cut stone under fluorescent light — good lighting matters.
Price
A 1ct equivalent moissanite finished ring typically lands $600–$1,200. A comparable lab-grown diamond ring starts around $1,800–$2,500. Natural is another 3–10x.
Our recommendation
Pick lab-grown diamond if you want the classic look, long-term hold value, and a certificate that will be recognized anywhere. Pick moissanite if you want maximum size per dollar and you love a bit of sparkle and fire.
