Short answer: a lab grown diamond is a diamond: pure carbon, chemically and optically the same as a mined diamond. Moissanite is a different gemstone (silicon carbide) that looks very close to a diamond, sparkles with more colourful fire, and costs a fraction of the price. Both are real, both are durable, and both are made in a lab. The right one depends on your budget and on what matters most to you.
At Woke Collection we make jewellery in both, so here is the honest comparison we give customers in our Lucknow stores.
Moissanite vs lab grown diamond at a glance
| Moissanite | Lab grown diamond | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Silicon carbide | Carbon, identical to a mined diamond |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 9.25 | 10 |
| Sparkle | Higher refractive index (about 2.65), strong rainbow fire | Refractive index about 2.42, classic white sparkle |
| Diamond tester | Passes a standard thermal diamond tester | Passes every diamond test, because it is a diamond |
| Certificates we provide | GRA or INGEMCO | IGI or SGL |
| Price | Lowest; big looks on a small budget | Higher than moissanite, far lower than mined diamonds |
| Woke buyback | 50% | 80% |
Is moissanite a real diamond?
No, and a good jeweller should never sell it as one. Moissanite is its own gemstone. It was first found in 1893 by the chemist Henri Moissan inside a meteorite crater in Arizona, and today it is grown in labs. It is the second hardest gemstone used in jewellery after diamond, so it is made for everyday wear.
Does moissanite pass a diamond tester?
Most handheld diamond testers measure how fast a stone conducts heat, and moissanite reads like a diamond on them. Newer multi-testers also check electrical conductivity and can tell the two apart. That is why we certify our moissanite and label it clearly as moissanite, so you always know exactly what you own.
How do they look side by side?
From normal viewing distance, most people cannot tell them apart. Up close, moissanite throws more coloured flashes ("fire"), especially in larger stones over 1 carat. A lab grown diamond has the crisper, whiter sparkle people associate with a classic diamond. If you love colour play, moissanite feels livelier. If you want the traditional diamond look, choose lab grown.
Which one holds value better?
Neither is an investment like gold, but our buyback policy gives you a clear floor: 80% buyback on lab grown diamonds and 50% buyback on moissanite at Woke Collection. For many families, that is the deciding factor for a big-ticket piece such as an engagement ring.
Which should you choose?
- Choose moissanite if you want a large, eye-catching stone on a tighter budget, love extra sparkle, or want a statement piece in 925 silver. Our Portuguese cut and tennis bracelets are customer favourites.
- Choose lab grown diamond if it is an engagement ring or heirloom, you want a "real diamond" answer when people ask, or you want the higher buyback. See our lab grown diamond solitaire rings.
- Not sure? Visit our Lucknow stores and see both stones under the same light, or WhatsApp us on +91 92197 07014.
Frequently asked questions
Will moissanite get cloudy or change colour?
Good quality moissanite does not cloud or fade. Like any stone, it collects oil and dust, so clean it with mild soap and water.
Can I get a custom ring in either stone?
Yes. Every custom piece starts with a conversation and a CAD design. Start your custom ring journey.
Which metals do you use?
925 sterling silver, and 9K, 14K and 18K hallmarked gold.