Is moissanite real? Moissanite vs diamond, explained honestly

Short answer: yes, moissanite is a real gemstone. It is silicon carbide — naturally very rare, so the moissanite used in jewelry is grown in a lab. It is not cubic zirconia and it is not a "fake diamond." It is its own stone, with its own look, and it happens to be gorgeous and far cheaper than a mined diamond.

Moissanite vs diamond

• Hardness: diamond is 10 on the Mohs scale, moissanite is about 9.25 — extremely hard and great for everyday wear.
• Sparkle: moissanite actually has more fire (that rainbow flash) than diamond because it bends light more. Some people love this; it is a real difference you can see.
• Testers: moissanite passes a basic thermal "diamond tester." A dedicated moissanite tester tells them apart. Reputable sellers describe it honestly.
• Price: a moissanite stone costs a small fraction of a diamond of the same size, which is the whole appeal.

What does "VVS" mean?

VVS stands for Very, Very Slightly included — a clarity grade meaning the stone has almost no visible inclusions. When you see "VVS moissanite," it means a high-clarity, very clean-looking stone. Colorless (D-E-F) grades look icy white.

Is it a good buy?

If you want the iced-out look — tennis chains, cuban links, rings, studs — without diamond prices, moissanite and lab-grown stones are the honest, smart pick. The key is buying from someone who tells you exactly what it is.