This question comes up constantly in jewelry conversations: is moissanite actually real? Or is it just a fancy name for something artificial and cheap?

The short answer is yes — moissanite is a real gemstone. But the longer answer is more interesting and more useful if you are considering buying it.

What Makes a Gemstone "Real"?

The word "real" in the context of gemstones is worth examining. It usually means one of two things:

• Naturally occurring: The stone exists in nature and was mined from the earth
• Genuine material: The stone has its own distinct chemical composition and properties, not an imitation of something else

By the first definition, most moissanite is not natural — it is grown in a laboratory. By the second definition, moissanite is absolutely real. It has a unique chemical structure (silicon carbide), its own hardness rating (9.25 on the Mohs scale), its own optical properties, and its own grading system.

The confusion often comes from comparing moissanite to cubic zirconia, which is simply a synthetic diamond look-alike with no natural counterpart and no distinct gemological identity. Moissanite is not in that category.

The Origin of Moissanite

Moissanite was first discovered in 1893 by French Nobel Prize-winning chemist Henri Moissan. He found tiny silicon carbide crystals inside a meteorite crater in Diablo Canyon, Arizona. He initially believed he had found diamonds, but later analysis confirmed it was a previously unknown mineral.

Natural moissanite has since been found in other meteorite impact sites and in certain rock formations, but it is extraordinarily rare. A naturally occurring moissanite large enough to set in jewelry is almost impossible to find.

In the 1990s, researchers at Charles & Colvard developed a process to grow moissanite crystals in a laboratory using controlled conditions. This lab-grown moissanite is chemically and physically identical to natural moissanite. The only difference is origin.

Is Lab-Grown the Same as Fake?

No. Lab-grown and fake are not the same thing.

A fake gemstone is something designed to look like another stone — cubic zirconia sold as diamond, for example. It is an imitation.

A lab-grown gemstone is the same material as its natural counterpart, produced in a controlled environment instead of the ground. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. Lab-grown rubies are real rubies. Lab-grown moissanite is real moissanite.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and other grading bodies recognize lab-grown gemstones as genuine — they are graded by the same standards as their natural equivalents.

How Is Lab-Grown Moissanite Made?

Lab-grown moissanite is produced through a process called physical vapor transport. Silicon carbide powder is heated to extremely high temperatures, and the resulting vapor is allowed to crystallize slowly under controlled conditions. The process takes weeks to produce a single crystal of gem quality.

The result is a crystal with the same chemical structure, hardness, and optical properties as natural moissanite. It is then cut and polished using the same methods used for natural gemstones.

Does Moissanite Have Its Own Certification?

Yes. Quality moissanite comes with a GRA certificate — issued by the Gemological Research Association. The GRA certificate documents:

• Stone identity confirmation (silicon carbide)
• Carat weight
• Cut grade
• Color grade (D–F colorless, G–H near-colorless, etc.)
• Clarity

When you buy GRA-certified moissanite, you have documented proof of what you purchased. This is important both for your own confidence and for any future resale or insurance purposes.

How Does Moissanite Compare to Other "Real" Gemstones?

Moissanite sits alongside ruby and sapphire in terms of hardness and gemological standing. It is significantly more durable than emerald and most other colored gemstones commonly used in fine jewelry.

Why Do Some People Question Whether Moissanite Is "Real"?

The skepticism usually comes from two sources:

Comparison to CZ: Because both moissanite and cubic zirconia are affordable alternatives to diamond, some people group them together. They are not the same material, do not have the same properties, and are not produced the same way.

The lab-grown stigma: Some buyers associate "lab-grown" with inferior quality. This reflects outdated thinking. Lab-grown gemstones are not inferior — they are simply produced without mining. A lab-grown ruby is a real ruby. A lab-grown moissanite is real moissanite.

You may also want to read:Moissanite vs Cubic Zirconia: What Is the Real Difference?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is moissanite considered a precious gemstone?

Moissanite is a genuine gemstone with documented properties and certified grading. The "precious" vs "semi-precious" distinction is an informal jewelry industry convention, not a scientific classification. Moissanite's hardness (9.25) and optical properties place it in the top tier of gemstone quality by any objective measure.

Will moissanite lose value over time?

Moissanite does not have significant resale value as a secondary market item. However, it also does not physically deteriorate — it maintains its appearance indefinitely. If you are buying for wear rather than investment, this distinction is irrelevant.

Can you insure moissanite jewelry?

Yes. Many jewelry insurers cover moissanite pieces. A GRA certificate provides the documentation insurers need to assess replacement value.

Is moissanite ever found naturally?

Yes, but extremely rarely. Natural moissanite has been found in meteorite impact sites and a small number of geological formations. Gem-quality natural moissanite is so rare it is essentially not available commercially. All moissanite sold in jewelry is lab-grown.

Does moissanite have the same chemical formula as diamond?

No. Diamond is pure carbon (C). Moissanite is silicon carbide (SiC). They are different materials with different chemical structures. This is why moissanite is classified as its own distinct gemstone rather than a type of diamond.

Interested in moissanite jewelry with GRA certification? Browse our moissanite collection at Mirenpearl — every stone is certified and every piece is hand-set to order.