Moissanite vs. diamond: recognising the difference
Moissanite is a distinct gemstone with different optical properties. Double refraction and appropriate professional testing help distinguish it from diamond. A thermal tester alone is insufficient; moissanite is not diamond and generally has a much lower market value.
Moissanite is a brilliant gemstone, but it is a different material from diamond. Its visual resemblance can lead to it being sold as diamond, through misunderstanding or deliberate misrepresentation.
How moissanite differs
- Fire: moissanite often shows more pronounced rainbow-coloured flashes.
- Double refraction: magnification can reveal doubling of facet edges, unlike diamond.
- Testing: professional instruments distinguish the materials. A simple thermal diamond tester alone may give a misleading result because moissanite also conducts heat well.
What to do if you are unsure
A gemmological examination identifies the material using appropriate tests rather than appearance alone. Explore our diamond examination service.
