Moissanite vs Cubic Zirconia: What Is the Difference?

Moissanite is harder and brighter than cubic zirconia, and it costs more. Moissanite is 9.25 on the Mohs scale against 8 to 8.5 for cubic zirconia, with a refractive index of 2.65 against 2.15 to 2.18. Cubic zirconia is the cheaper stone and suits occasional wear. Moissanite is the better material for jewellery you will wear daily.

Moissanite and cubic zirconia side by side

For reference, diamond has a hardness of 10, a refractive index of 2.42 and a dispersion of 0.044. Property figures are from the Wikipedia entries for moissanite and cubic zirconia, and the Mariqe price was checked on the product page on 21 September 2026.

Which lasts longer in daily wear?

Moissanite does. At 9.25, it resists scratching and abrasion better than cubic zirconia at 8 to 8.5, and that gap of roughly one point matters over years of wear against keys, worktops and everyday knocks. Softer stones show wear sooner. Reference sources note that the facet edges of cubic zirconia can become dull and rounded with wear, while the edges of diamond facets stay much sharper.

Neither stone is indestructible. Moissanite can still be scratched by a harder material and can be chipped by a hard knock. The claim to make is that moissanite is the more durable of the two, not that it never shows wear.

Which is brighter?

Moissanite has the higher refractive index, 2.65 against 2.15 to 2.18, so it returns more light and looks brighter. Cubic zirconia has a dispersion above diamond's, so it does show coloured flashes, but it has less brilliance overall because its refractive index is lower. Moissanite combines the higher refractive index with a higher dispersion, which is why it tends to look livelier than cubic zirconia in the same cut and size.

Where cubic zirconia wins

• Price. Cubic zirconia is the cheaper stone, sometimes by a wide margin. If you want a look for one occasion, or for travel where you would rather not risk a better piece, it is a sensible choice.
• Low cost of replacement. If a piece is lost or damaged, replacing it costs little.
• Availability. It is sold in a very wide range of styles and price points.

Moissanite costs more than cubic zirconia, but it is still low. A 1 carat Mariqe Eterna solitaire ring is $79 in platinum plated 925 sterling silver and $99 in 18k gold plated 925 sterling silver.

How to tell them apart

A standard thermal diamond tester separates them cleanly. Cubic zirconia is a thermal insulator and reads as not diamond, while moissanite conducts heat like diamond and reads as diamond. Our guide to whether moissanite passes a diamond test covers what each type of tester shows.

Weight is a second clue. Cubic zirconia is much denser, at 5.6 to 6.0 grams per cubic centimetre against about 3.22 for moissanite, so a cubic zirconia stone of the same size feels noticeably heavier in the hand. Gemologists use density in the lab as well, by comparing how quickly stones sink in a heavy liquid.

What to check before you buy either stone

• The metal, in full. The setting matters as much as the stone. Look for the base metal and the plating stated separately, as in 925 sterling silver with 18k gold plating. Our guide to sterling silver with plating versus solid gold explains what that means over years of wear.
• The size in millimetres. Carat weight is not comparable between the two, because cubic zirconia is so much denser. A 1 carat moissanite is 6.5mm at Mariqe, and a cubic zirconia stone of the same weight will be smaller.
• The warranty. Mariqe's Lifetime Moissanite Warranty covers manufacturing defects and unexpected changes to the stone's clarity, colour, fire or brilliance. It covers the stone, not the metal.
• The returns terms. Mariqe allows returns within 30 days of delivery, apart from pierced earrings, which can only be returned if faulty.

What this means for you

Choose cubic zirconia if you want the lowest price and you will wear the piece occasionally. Choose moissanite if you want a piece that keeps its polish and its sparkle through daily wear, and you are comfortable paying more than a cubic zirconia price. Both are lab-made and neither is mined, so the choice rests on durability, sparkle and budget.

Eterna Solitaire Ring

Six-prong round moissanite solitaire in 925 sterling silver with platinum or 18k gold plating. Choose 1, 2 or 3 carat. From $79, with a Lifetime Moissanite Warranty.

See sizes and prices

Frequently asked questions

Is moissanite better than cubic zirconia?

For durability and brilliance, yes. Moissanite is 9.25 on the Mohs scale against 8 to 8.5, and its refractive index is 2.65 against 2.15 to 2.18. Cubic zirconia is cheaper, which makes it the better choice for occasional wear or a very tight budget.

Does cubic zirconia wear out faster than moissanite?

Generally, yes. Cubic zirconia is softer, and reference sources note its facet edges can become dull and rounded with wear. Moissanite resists scratching and abrasion better, although it is not scratch proof.

How can you tell moissanite from cubic zirconia?

A thermal diamond tester reads moissanite as diamond and cubic zirconia as not diamond. Cubic zirconia is also much denser, so a stone of the same size feels heavier.

Is moissanite the same as cubic zirconia?

No. Moissanite is silicon carbide and cubic zirconia is zirconium dioxide. They differ in hardness, brilliance, density and price.