Recently, moissanite engagement rings have become a hot item. Not only are they a much more affordable price point for many couples but they are available in a variety of different shapes and sizes. The clarity and sparkle of a moissanite stone is often much better than a diamond. When it comes to durability, the two are practically the same, delivering the same kind of timeless hardness. With all of that and as a budget-friendly option, it’s easy to see why moissanite has become so popular. But can the discerning customer really tell the difference between a natural diamond and a lab-created moissanite stone?

Color is the first possible difference. Moissanite stones can come in several different colors, most of them in the colorless range. Many diamonds on the market are actually nearly colorless, with a touch of warmth, so near colorless moissanite stones will appear more like natural diamonds. Over time, as the technology for making moissanite has improved, many people choose the fire and brilliance of the colorless moissanite over diamonds.

Moissanite stones are also created automatically flawless. Natural diamonds will inherently have small flaws. Of course, you can look for a flawless diamond, but those can run you thousands more. Moissanite stones produce the same flawlessness without the extra expense.

Other than color and flaws, you’ll require professional equipment to tell the difference, specifically, a machine that measures electrical conductivity. Since most of us don’t have one of those sitting around, it’s safe to say that to most eyes, there’s no discernible difference between the two.