Even though we are aware of diamonds as the most precious gemstones on earth, there are various others worth our attention. This includes the sapphire stone which is more commonly seen as the dark blue variety. But now we have discovered white and beautiful sapphires. This along with moissanite offer stunning features similar to diamonds, although they differ in some ways.

Firstly, white sapphires derive from the mineral group known as corundum. This is the same material found in the blue ones and also rubies. But the difference is in the trace element, where white sapphire has none. Hence, they appear colorless and clear, but the difference between white sapphires vs diamonds is in their properties. Yet we can’t overlook its beautiful exterior.

On the other hand, moissanite is a silicon carbide found mostly in a meteor crater. It has a crystalline structure that was synthesized in labs for a long time. In addition, this has higher hardness and clarity ratings almost close to that of a diamond.


Appearance

Although we see that both white sapphire and moissanite are colorless, the former one may get some yellow discoloration from impurities over time. In addition, it also attracts more dirt and is prone to scratches. But moissanite can retain its crystal-clear appearance for years without such issues. This means that the sapphire will need careful maintenance to keep it shining even though it has the closest similarity in outlook to diamond. In contrast, moissanite has a more refractive index to resemble the sparkle of a diamond.

Hardness

Diamond is the hardest element ever found on earth. Second, to that comes moissanite with a 9.5 hardness score. But white sapphire is also very hard scoring a 9.0 which is slightly less than moissanite. Even then we need to be careful with sapphires since they can wear off easily after long-term use. Moissanite is not only very hard but also resistant to damages and remains the same for years.

Uses

Both of them are primarily used in jewellery as alternatives to diamonds. They are equally similar in appearance to be mistaken for a diamond. But moissanite has more shine and hardness. Depending on price, white sapphire becomes a more budget-friendly option and is more common. But the cost depends on the size of the gemstone. We can easily make fine jewellery, including wedding rings or other similar expensive ornaments with either of them. The decision is narrowed down to personal preferences.

But the question may appear as to whether both of them will work as an alternative to artificial diamonds. The difference between lab diamond vs natural is almost null, and hard to determine without an expert’s help. besides, lab ones are also cheaper alternatives to real diamonds.

So, apart from lab-grown diamonds, we can now choose white sapphire or moissanite. In terms of durability, hardness, and appearance, moissanite is the winner. Even after this, white sapphire is the more commonly chosen gemstone. But both of them are advantageous in various ways.