Stone comparison
Diamonds
& alternatives.
Natural diamonds, laboratory-grown diamonds, moissanite, and cubic zirconia can all create a bright colorless look—but they are not the same material. Understanding origin, properties, identification, and disclosure makes comparison much clearer.
Which stones are diamonds?
Two are diamonds
Natural &
lab-grown.
Both consist of diamond crystal and have essentially the same chemical, physical, and optical properties. Their defining difference is how and where they formed.
Two are simulants
Moissanite
& cubic zirconia.
They can resemble diamond, but their composition, crystal structure, optical behavior, and physical properties are different. They must not be described as lab-grown diamonds.
Side-by-side reference
What makes each
option different.
Appearance alone is not a reliable identification method. Confirm the material and origin through appropriate documentation, supplier disclosure, and professional testing when needed.
Diamond · natural origin
Natural diamond
Diamond crystal formed in the earth and brought to the surface through natural geological processes.
- Composition
- Crystallized carbon
- Origin
- Formed naturally in the earth
- Mohs hardness
- 10
- Visual character
- Diamond brilliance, fire, and scintillation depend on cut
- Documentation
- Natural-diamond reports may record the 4Cs and identification details
Often considered forFine jewelry where natural origin, rarity, and traditional diamond documentation matter to the client.
Diamond · manufactured origin
Lab-grown diamond
Diamond crystal produced through HPHT or CVD growth rather than geological formation.
- Composition
- Crystallized carbon
- Origin
- Produced by HPHT or CVD
- Mohs hardness
- 10
- Visual character
- Essentially the same optical and physical properties as natural diamond
- Documentation
- Current GIA assessments identify lab origin and classify qualifying stones as Premium or Standard
Often considered forFine jewelry where the client wants diamond material and accepts a clearly disclosed laboratory-grown origin.
Diamond simulant
Moissanite
A different gemstone material that resembles diamond. Jewelry-market moissanite is typically laboratory-created silicon carbide.
- Composition
- Silicon carbide
- Origin
- Typically laboratory-created for jewelry
- Mohs hardness
- 9.25
- Visual character
- More fire and rainbow flashes than diamond; facet doubling may be visible
- Documentation
- Identified as moissanite—not graded as a diamond
Often considered forDurable everyday jewelry when strong sparkle and a non-diamond alternative suit the client’s preference.
Diamond simulant
Cubic zirconia
A laboratory-created zirconium oxide gemstone used to imitate the appearance of diamond.
- Composition
- Zirconium oxide
- Origin
- Laboratory-created
- Mohs hardness
- About 8.5
- Visual character
- Often colorless and flawless, with broad flashes; more easily scratched than diamond
- Documentation
- Identified as cubic zirconia—not graded as a diamond
Often considered forFashion jewelry, display pieces, design samples, travel pieces, and budget-focused applications.
Choosing for the design
Start with the
client’s priorities.
There is no single correct choice for every project. The suitable option depends on what the client values, how the jewelry will be worn, the intended setting, and how the stone is represented at sale.
Material expectation
Confirm whether the client specifically wants diamond or is comfortable with a diamond simulant.
Origin preference
For diamond, document whether natural formation or laboratory growth is requested and approved.
Wear and maintenance
Consider hardness, setting protection, exposure to impact, and the maintenance expected over the life of the piece.
Visual preference
Compare sparkle, rainbow fire, color, face-up appearance, and how the stone performs in the intended setting.
Clear disclosure builds trust
Name the stone
accurately.
Retail descriptions, invoices, appraisals, and conversations should clearly identify what the customer is receiving.
- 01
Natural diamond may be described as natural or mined when that origin has been confirmed.
- 02
Laboratory-grown diamond should be clearly described as laboratory-grown or laboratory-created—not simply “diamond” without qualification.
- 03
Moissanite and cubic zirconia are simulants. They should be named as their actual material, not represented as natural or laboratory-grown diamond.
Reference standards: GIA’s guide to simulants and laboratory-grown diamonds, GIA’s diamond-simulant comparison, the current GIA laboratory-grown diamond services, and the FTC Jewelry Guides disclosure guidance.