Moissanite vs cubic zirconia: which should you buy?
Updated
Buy moissanite for anything you will wear every day. It is harder (9.25 on the scale against 8 to 8.5 for cubic zirconia), brighter, throws more fire, and keeps its look for life, while CZ typically looks cloudy and scratched after about two years of daily wear. For studs and solitaire rings moissanite usually costs only a little more on Amazon. Cubic zirconia makes sense for big many-stone pieces like tennis chains, where it is the cheapest way to try the look.
Side by side
| Moissanite | Cubic zirconia | Diamond, for reference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (Mohs) | 9.25 | 8 to 8.5 | 10 |
| Brightness () | 2.65 to 2.69 | 2.15 to 2.18 | 2.42 |
| Fire (dispersion) | 0.104 | 0.058 to 0.066 | 0.044 |
| What it is | , grown in a lab | Zirconium oxide, grown in a lab | Carbon |
| Looks good with daily wear | For life | About 2 years | For life |
Higher refractive index means more light returned (brightness); higher dispersion means more rainbow fire. Lifespan for CZ from the International Gem Society. Photos and the full explanation are on our cubic zirconia page.
What they cost on Amazon
Amazon prices as of . Prices and availability are accurate as of that date and time and are subject to change; the price shown on Amazon at the time of purchase applies.
| Piece | Cubic zirconia | Moissanite | Our call |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 mm stud earrings, sterling silver | about $14 | about $15 | Buy moissanite: about the same price today |
| 8 mm stud earrings, sterling silver | about $14 | See price on Amazon | Buy moissanite: it lasts a lifetime |
| 1 ct solitaire ring, sterling silver | about $15 | about $20 | Buy moissanite: about $6 more today |
| 3 mm tennis bracelet | about $20 | See price on Amazon | CZ to try the look; moissanite for daily wear |
| 6.5 mm tennis chain, 22 to 24 in | tens of dollars | hundreds of dollars and up | CZ to try the look first |
Each price links to the exact Amazon listing; the tennis chain row is a general range. The full ladder (CZ, moissanite, lab diamond, natural diamond) with lengths and metals is on our cubic zirconia page.
Why moissanite wins for daily wear
- It does not scratch: household dust contains quartz (Mohs 7), close enough to CZ's 8 to 8.5 to slowly scratch it and round its facet edges. Moissanite, at 9.25, is beaten only by diamond.
- It stays bright: CZ turns cloudy as it is worn and scratched; moissanite does not.
- More sparkle: moissanite returns more light and throws about 1.6 to 1.8 times the rainbow fire of CZ.
- It is lighter: CZ is about 1.8 times as dense (5.6 to 6.0 against 3.2), so big CZ stones feel heavy on the ear.
- It keeps some resale value: used CZ jewellery sells for very little.
When cubic zirconia is the right buy
- Tennis chains and bracelets: dozens of stones multiply the price gap, so CZ is the cheapest way to see whether you like the look. If you do, upgrade to moissanite; if you still want more, lab diamond.
- Costume and statement pieces you wear a few times a year.
- Coloured stones in steel: red, blue and green CZ rings in stainless steel cost very little, at a size nothing else matches. See coloured cubic zirconia.
If you buy CZ, clean it weekly with warm water and a drop of dish soap, and keep it away from harder jewellery. Our CZ care guide has the details. Whatever the numbers say, the best way to choose is to see both in person; some people prefer CZ's softer, glassier look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is moissanite better than cubic zirconia?
For anything you will wear for years, yes. Moissanite is harder (9.25 on the Mohs scale against 8 to 8.5), bends light more strongly so it looks brighter, throws more rainbow fire, and does not cloud with age. Cubic zirconia wins only on price for big many-stone pieces such as tennis chains.
Is moissanite much more expensive than cubic zirconia?
Not for small pieces. On Amazon, moissanite stud earrings and solitaire rings in sterling silver usually cost only a little more than the same pieces in cubic zirconia, because one or two small stones are cheap either way. The gap opens with many stones: a tennis bracelet or chain in moissanite costs several times the CZ version, and a wide tennis chain can run to hundreds of dollars or more. The price table on this page links each piece to its Amazon listing.
How long does cubic zirconia last?
About two years of daily wear before it looks cloudy and scratched, according to the International Gem Society. Worn occasionally and cleaned weekly, it can look good for around five years. Moissanite keeps its look for life.
Can you tell moissanite from cubic zirconia by eye?
Often, yes. Moissanite throws more rainbow flashes and looks brighter; cubic zirconia looks glassier, and older CZ goes cloudy. CZ is also about 1.8 times as heavy for the same size. A moissanite tester or a jeweller can confirm in seconds.
Will cubic zirconia pass a diamond tester?
No. Cubic zirconia fails a standard thermal diamond tester. Moissanite passes a thermal tester but is caught by an electrical or combined tester.