Moissanite vs. Cubic Zirconia: What’s the Difference?

Moissanite vs. CZ Price and Value

For most buyers, price is often the deciding factor.

• Moissanite: More expensive than cubic zirconia, but still far more affordable than diamonds. A 1-carat moissanite typically ranges from $300 to $600, depending on the cut and quality.
• Cubic Zirconia: Extremely affordable, with a 1-carat CZ usually priced at $20 to $50.

While CZ has a much lower upfront cost, moissanite offers greater long-term and resale value. CZ has virtually no resale value, whereas moissanite typically retains about 50%–70% of its original price. For this reason, moissanite is considered a better investment. If you’re only looking for short-term or “disposable” jewelry, however, CZ can be a practical choice.

Moissanite vs. CZ Ethical and Environmental Considerations

Both moissanite and cubic zirconia are lab-created, which means they are conflict-free and avoid the environmental damage associated with diamond mining.

• Moissanite: The lab-growing process requires precise control of temperature and pressure. Many brands now rely on clean energy sources such as solar or wind power. Each crystal takes about 2–3 months to grow, allowing for controlled production and relatively low carbon emissions.
• Cubic Zirconia: Its synthesis process is simpler and often mass-produced, with a single production line capable of yielding thousands of stones per day. However, the melting process requires extremely high temperatures (over 1800°C), which consumes significant energy. Smaller manufacturers may not implement eco-friendly practices, resulting in higher overall carbon emissions compared to moissanite.

If low-carbon sustainability is your priority, moissanite is the better option. But if your main concern is simply avoiding conflict mining, both gemstones meet that standard.

Moissanite vs. CZ Care and Maintenance

Ease of care directly affects the wearing experience, and the main differences between moissanite and cubic zirconia lie in cleaning frequency and sensitive conditions:

• Moissanite: Can be easily cleaned with mild soap and warm water. Its hardness makes it resistant to most scratches, so it requires very little special maintenance and infrequent cleaning.
• Cubic Zirconia: Needs to be cleaned more frequently since it easily attracts oils and dust. Over time, scratches will diminish its sparkle, and it can never fully regain its original luster. It’s also sensitive to heat—exposure to high temperatures can cause CZ to turn yellowish or cloudy.

How to Tell Moissanite from CZ Without Professional Tools

If you already have a gemstone in hand, you can use these three simple methods without any specialized equipment:

1. Weight Test: Moissanite has a lower density than CZ, meaning a moissanite of the same size will feel lighter.
2. Sparkle Test: In natural light, rotate the stone—moissanite will display bold, colorful flashes, while CZ has softer sparkle.
3. Magnification Test: Under a 10x loupe, moissanite shows double refraction (a slight doubling or “shadowing” of facets), whereas CZ, being singly refractive, will not.

Moissanite and CZ Common Misconceptions

1. “Cubic zirconia and moissanite are basically the same.”
   False. While both are considered diamond substitutes, moissanite is a synthetic gemstone with its own natural counterpart, high hardness, and long-term value. CZ, however, is a man-made crystal with no natural equivalent, lower hardness, and only short-term wearability. In terms of durability and value, they are not on the same level at all.
2. “Cubic zirconia doesn’t change color.”
   In reality, CZ has poor chemical stability. With prolonged exposure to sweat and air, its surface gradually becomes cloudy and may even turn yellow, especially after extended sunlight exposure.
3. “Moissanite looks fake because it’s too sparkly.”
   This depends on personal taste. Moissanite’s bold “rainbow fire” is a natural feature—some see it as a unique highlight, while others prefer the softer fire of diamonds. But as moissanite has become more popular, more people appreciate its brilliance. High-quality cuts can also tone down the intensity, making it appear closer to a diamond’s sparkle.
4. “Neither has any value—it’s a waste of money to buy them.”
   False. Moissanite has long-term wearability and some resale value, making it suitable for lifetime jewelry like engagement rings. CZ, while lacking long-term value, is extremely affordable and works well as temporary jewelry—such as for travel (to avoid risking expensive pieces) or for styling with specific outfits. When purchased with intention, CZ is not a waste.

So… Which One Should You Choose?

Your decision depends on your needs, budget, and expectations:

Choose Moissanite if:

• You want a gemstone that lasts a lifetime, perfect for an engagement or wedding ring.
• You want maximum brilliance and fire.
• You’re looking for an ethically sourced and sustainable option.
• You need something durable and low-maintenance.

Choose Cubic Zirconia if:

• You want a very affordable gemstone for temporary or fashion jewelry.
• You need travel jewelry and don’t want to worry about losing it.
• You want a diamond-like look at the lowest possible cost for occasional wear.

At MollyJewelryUS, we love creating all kinds of jewelry with moissanite—not only because of its beauty, but also because of the story it carries. Its dazzling sparkle shines as brightly as the love it represents. Explore our moissanite rings and necklaces, and discover a brilliance that reflects your own.