Moissanite and laboratory-grown diamonds are two completely different materials, although they are similar in appearance (especially after being cut and polished into gemstones) to natural diamonds. Their main differences lie in chemical composition, crystal structure, physical properties and sources:

1. Chemical composition and crystal structure

 Laboratory-grown diamonds:
■ Composition: Pure carbon.
■ Structure: Cubic crystal system (identical to that of natural diamonds).
■ Nature: They are genuine diamonds, but they grow in a controlled laboratory environment (through high-pressure high-temperature methods or chemical vapor deposition), rather than forming naturally deep within the Earth. They are indistinguishable from natural diamonds in terms of physical, chemical, and optical properties.

Morganite:
■ Composition: Silicon carbide.
■ Structure: Hexagonal crystal system (different from the cubic structure of diamond).
■ Nature: It is a completely different mineral/synthetic material. Natural morganite is extremely rare (mainly found in meteorites), and almost all morganite on the market is laboratory-synthesized. It is a diamond imitation or substitute, but not a diamond.

2. Hardness:
• Lab-grown diamonds: Mohs hardness of 10 (the hardest natural substance known on Earth).
• Moissanite: Mohs hardness of 9.25. This is an extremely high hardness second only to that of diamonds, making it very wear-resistant and suitable for daily wear. However, diamonds are still harder.

3. Refractive index and fire color:
 Laboratory-grown diamonds: The refractive index is approximately 2.42. The dispersion value (measuring the ability to break white light into a seven-color spectrum of fire color) is 0.044. The fire color of the diamond is restrained, bright white flashes and gentle colored flashes (mainly influenced by the cut)

Morganite:
■ Higher refractive index: Approximately 2.65 - 2.69. This means it is more "luminous" than diamond and reflects more light.
■ Higher dispersion value: Approximately 0.104, which is more than twice that of diamond. This causes morganite to produce extremely intense and distinct iridescent fire colors (especially under sunlight or direct strong light), especially in the pavilion facets. This fire color is much more dazzling than that of diamond, and sometimes even too intense, becoming one of its identifying features.
■ Double refraction: This is one of the most crucial visual differences between morganite and diamond. Since morganite is a double-refractive material (light splits into two beams upon entering), while diamond is single-refractive. When observing the edges of morganite faceted gemstones under a magnifying glass or looking at the base tip through the table, you can see that the edges appear to have double shadows (as if there are two lines), while the edges of diamond are clear and sharp single lines.

4. Specific gravity:
■ Laboratory-grown diamonds: Specific gravity is approximately 3.52.
■ Moissanite: Specific gravity is approximately 3.22. This means that for the same size gemstone, moissanite is about 15% lighter than a diamond. For standard-sized gemstones, this difference is usually not significant enough to distinguish by touch.

5. Thermal Conductivity:
■ Laboratory-grown diamonds: Have extremely high thermal conductivity. This is the principle behind traditional "diamond pen" detectors (by testing thermal conductivity).
■ Moissanite: Has also high thermal conductivity, sufficient to cause most old-fashioned diamond pens/diagnostic devices to mistake it for a diamond. Thermal conductivity tests alone cannot reliably distinguish between diamonds and moissanite. More specialized equipment or observation of birefringence phenomena is required.

6. Source and Price:
■ Laboratory-grown diamonds: Manually cultivated in a laboratory, with a relatively long growth period (ranging from several weeks to several months). The price is usually much lower than that of diamonds of the same quality (perhaps one-third to one-half of that of natural diamonds), but much higher than that of moissanite. The price is influenced by the 4C standards (carat, color, clarity, cut).
■ Moissanite: Almost all are synthesized in the laboratory, with a relatively short production cycle and costs much lower than those of cultivated diamonds and natural diamonds. The price is very affordable, typically only a small fraction (such as one-tenth or less) of the price of diamonds of the same size and visual effect (whether natural or cultivated).

7. Contents:
■ Laboratory-grown diamonds: They may have inherent features specific to their growth process (such as metal inclusions, growth lines, etc.), but they can also produce high-purity diamonds.
■ Moissanite: The synthetic process can typically produce very pure and high-purity gemstones. Inclusions are not its main characteristic.

The charm of lab grow diamond 

The diamonds cultivated in the laboratory are identical in terms of optics, chemistry and physics to the natural diamonds that formed billions of years ago deep within the Earth. After being cut and polished, untrained experts using sophisticated instruments can't distinguish them from natural diamonds. These diamonds follow the same 4C rating standards as natural diamonds: carat, color, clarity and cut. This ensures that each laboratory-grown diamond maintains the same outstanding standards as natural diamonds.

The charm of Moissanite 

The charm of morganite lies in the fact that it offers an extremely affordable price for a gemstone that is extremely hard, dazzlingly bright, and in appearance comparable to diamonds. Moreover, it aligns with modern people's pursuit of ethics and sustainability. It makes the brilliant light no longer out of reach, satisfying people's desire for the beauty and symbolic meaning of jewelry, while liberating consumers' wallets.

Which one to choose?
• If you want "real diamonds" (with the same composition and properties), and your budget allows: Choose laboratory-grown diamonds.
• If you desire the maximum brilliance effect and your budget is limited, and you don't mind it not being real diamonds: Choose moissanite. It offers excellent value for money and an impressive appearance.