The Diamond Hybrid® vs. Moissanite

We are often asked what is the difference between the Diamond Hybrid® and Moissanite. For a long time, Moissanite was the only diamond alternative, other than Cubic Zirconia, available on the market. Over time, with advancements in technology, more advanced diamond simulants were developed and produced, one such being the Diamond Hybrid®. While both of these products are popular diamond alternatives among eco-friendly and price conscious consumers, when compared side by side, the difference in beauty between the two products is obvious.

Moissanite dates back to 1893 when it was first discovered by Dr. Henri Moissan, a Nobel Prize-winning French chemist. After discovering this fascinating new mineral (silicon carbide), Dr. Moissan chose to dedicate the remaining years of his life attempting to re-create it. In honor of his discovery, the new found mineral was named Moissanite. Moissanite made its way onto the jewelry scene as a diamond alternative in the late 1990s. Today, all applications of Moissanite are synthetic because the natural mineral is very rare.

The Diamond Hybrid is created by placing a perfectly cut crystal core or substrate into a chamber of intense heat and pressure and infusing lab-created diamond crystals, or bonding them at a molecular level, into the outer layers of the crystal core. These lab-created diamond crystals stack up on the core and realign with each other. The finished product is a diamond infused simulant that has a non-precious crystal core and a solid outer layer of lab-created diamond that will never wear off or detach from the core.

The Diamond Hybrid is cut by hand receiving ideal to excellent grades on the AGS cutting scale. Moissanite, because of its doubly refractive index, has a manipulated cut that shows more of a sunburst pattern rather than the more desirable highly faceted cut you would see in the Diamond Hybrid and earth-mined diamond alike.

The Diamond Hybrid is guaranteed to be a D to F in color whereas Moissanite color grades vary - the most common Moissanite is graded I to J in color - showing yellows and greens, but with technology advancements Moissanite’s color can be manipulated, resulting in D to F colors, but at a higher price point.

This is the main differentiating factor when comparing Moissanite to a Diamond Hybrid or natural diamond. The Diamond Hybrid has a face-centered-cubic, singly refractive internal structure just like a mined diamond, giving the Diamond Hybrid the ability to reflect light in the same manner as a mined or lab grown diamond. Alternatively, Moissanite has a hexagonal-doubly-refractive index which isn’t considered desirable, because it causes birefringence, a problem where light splits within the crystal giving it a blurry or fuzzy appearance, which is especially noticeable when placed next to a natural diamond.

Analysis shows the Diamond Hybrid has an index of refraction of 2.24 giving it a tested index closer to an earth mined diamond’s 2.42, which is higher than any other comparable simulant available. Moissanite has an index of refraction of 2.67 and makes claims that it “outshines a diamond”. However, there is such a thing as too much brilliance and fire - just as is the case with Cubic Zirconia, which has an index of refraction of 2.15, Moissanite will appear shiny and CZ will appear glassy when compared visually to a natural diamond.

Interested in learning more? Learn more about the Diamond Hybrid or shop our inventory. Curious about Lab Grown Diamonds? Looking to compare Lab Grown Diamond Prices?