What Is Moissanite? And Is It a Real Gemstone?

Yes, moissanite is a real gemstone, and its story is remarkable. It was discovered in 1893 by Nobel Prize-winning chemist Henri Moissan, who found tiny crystals of silicon carbide inside a meteorite crater in Arizona. Natural moissanite is rarer than diamond, which is why the moissanite in fine jewellery today is expertly created in laboratories to achieve near-perfect purity.

Moissanite is not an imitation

A common misconception is that moissanite is a fake diamond. It is not. It is its own gemstone with its own chemistry, its own optical properties and, in several ways, its own advantages. Unlike cubic zirconia, moissanite never clouds, fades or loses its brilliance.

How hard is moissanite?

Moissanite measures 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale, second only to diamond at 10, and harder than sapphire and ruby. That means it resists scratching through decades of everyday wear, which is why it has become such a popular choice for engagement rings.

How does it sparkle?

Moissanite actually displays more fire than diamond, meaning more of those rainbow flashes when the stone catches light. Its refractive index is higher than diamond's, so a well-cut moissanite is noticeably lively. Aura Moissanite is selected for D-colour whiteness and VVS-grade clarity, giving you the look of a flawless diamond with even more sparkle.

Is moissanite ethical?

Completely. Because it is lab-created, moissanite is guaranteed conflict-free with a fraction of the environmental footprint of mining. Beautiful jewellery should not come at a cost to people or the planet.

Where to see it

Explore our moissanite engagement rings and best sellers, all crafted by our Australian family business in Melbourne and backed by our manufacturing warranty. Questions? Message our team via chat and talk to the family, not a call centre.