| Moissanite | Engagement rings, statement jewelry | 20CT (4g) ▲ D Color (colorless) ▲ VVS1 Clarity (flawless) ▲ 8 Heart 8 Arrow Cut (ideal symmetry) GIA Certified (most reputable lab) 18mm size (large) 9.5 Mohs hardness | Highest brilliance (RI 2.65) ▲ Cost-effective vs diamond ▲ Scratch-resistant ▲ Lab-certified authenticity ▲ | Slightly lower hardness than diamond (10 Mohs) Requires careful handling |
| Diamond | Heirlooms, luxury jewelry | 10 Mohs hardness ▲ RI 2.42 E Color (colorless) VVS1 Clarity 1ct (standard) IGI Certified 3-excellent cut | Ultimate durability ▲ Timeless value ▲ Resale potential ▲ Traditional prestige ▲ | Highest cost ▲ Requires professional cleaning ▲ Less ethical transparency |
| Cubic Zirconia (CZ) | Costume jewelry, everyday wear | 8.5 Mohs hardness RI 2.15 (lower than moissanite) H Color (near-colorless) SI Clarity 10CT (2g) No certification Standard cut | Inexpensive ▲ Scratch-resistant for budget jewelry ▲ Lightweight ▲ | Low brilliance ▲ Less durable over time ▲ No certification guarantees ▲ |
| Lab-Grown Diamond | Ethical jewelry, eco-conscious buyers | 10 Mohs hardness ▲ RI 2.42 (same as natural) E Color VVS1 Clarity 1ct IGI Certified ▲ Lab-grown origin | Same properties as natural ▲ Cheaper than mined diamonds ▲ Ethical sourcing ▲ | Certification required to prove lab origin ▲ Less market preference in some regions ▲ |
| White Sapphire | Vintage styles, everyday wear | 9 Mohs hardness ▲ RI 1.76 (lower brilliance) VS Clarity 5CT (1g) No certification ▲ Classic cut | Durable ▲ Affordable ▲ Resistant to scratches ▲ | Less sparkle ▲ Less fire compared to moissanite/diamond ▲ |
| White Topaz | Affordable accessories, costume jewelry | 8 Mohs hardness ▲ RI 1.61 (minimal brilliance) SI Clarity 3CT (0.6g) No certification ▲ Faceted cut | Extremely affordable ▲ Lightweight ▲ Easy to maintain ▲ | Brittle ▲ Low durability ▲ No certification guarantees ▲ |