Moissanite vs. Lab Diamond vs. Natural Diamond vs. CZ: A Complete Guide to Stone Types

Oftentimes, you hear the terms cubic zirconia, moissanite, lab diamond, and natural diamond while shopping for jewelry, but do you know what they actually mean? Most jewelry guides don’t answer that question clearly, but GLD founder Christian Johnston breaks it down in detail in the full guide below.

What Are the Different Types of Stones in Jewelry?

The four main jewelry stone types are cubic zirconia, moissanite, lab diamonds, and natural diamonds. They’re often grouped together but are not the same, as each has a unique composition, origin, and price point. Understanding what they are is the first step to making the right choice for the one that works for you.

What Is Cubic Zirconia?

Cubic Zirconia, also known as CZ, is a lab-made stone made of zirconium dioxide. It doesn't occur naturally because it was developed in a lab and was widely popularized in the 1970s as an alternative to diamonds. These stones shine and are durable, which is why they’re one of the most widely used stones in jewelry today. CZ scores an 8.5/10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, which is the standard measurement for a stone's resistance to scratching, with 10 being the hardest material on earth. When it comes to pricing, CZ is the most cost-efficient option of the four.

As GLD founder Christian Johnston puts it: "CZ is the most cost-efficient out of all the options. It gives you great value, and it has great durability, so it becomes a very high-value purchase."

What Is Moissanite?

Moissanite is a brilliant gemstone made of lab-grown silicon carbide. It also has one of the most interesting origin stories in jewelry as it was discovered in 1893 inside of a meteorite by Henri Moissan. This technically makes it a space rock, but natural moissanite is extremely rare, so virtually all moissanite sold today is lab-made. It slightly differs from a diamond because of its chemical composition, but it produces a shine that rivals and in some cases exceeds a natural diamond.

On the Mohs scale, it scores a 9.25, which makes it extremely resistant to scratching and one of the hardest materials on earth. In terms of hardness, it sits right below diamonds and well above CZ. As far as pricing, moissanite is more expensive than CZ and significantly less expensive than natural diamonds.

As Christian Johnston mentioned, moissanite is typically around 80% less expensive than a diamond and also passes the common diamond tester, which tests thermal conductivity. This is a detail worth knowing for buyers who want the same diamond look and feel at a fraction of the price.

What Are Lab Diamonds?

Lab diamonds are real diamonds, with the same exact chemical structure of pure carbon in a crystalline formation, except they were made in a lab instead of mined. The only real difference is where they come from. Natural diamonds are mined from the earth over billions of years and lab diamonds are grown in a controlled laboratory environment in a matter of weeks. They are grown using a process that replicates the conditions under which natural diamonds form.

Both lab diamonds and natural diamonds score a 10/10 on the Mohs scale, the highest possible score, making them the hardest material on earth and virtually impossible to scratch. They are graded the same exact way as natural diamonds, by the same gemological standards for cut, color, clarity, and carat. Lab diamonds are typically around 50% less expensive than natural diamonds because they don’t have to be mined.

What Are Natural Diamonds?

Natural diamonds are naturally occurring minerals formed deep within the earth over billions of years, extracted through mining. They have the exact same chemical makeup as lab diamonds and are graded by the same standard, with the only distinction being their origin. The price difference is driven by the mining process, their rarity, and geological timeline. If you place value on rarity and the natural origin of a stone, natural diamonds are the top-tier choice. If you want the same stone at a lower price point, lab diamonds offer the same material with a different origin story.

Stone Comparison: Durability, Shine, and Price

Here’s a detailed breakdown of all four stone types, including their composition, price point, and shine:

Stone type comparison guide

Which Stone Should You Choose?

The right stone depends on what exactly it is you’re looking for. Here’s the framework directly from the GLD guide:

Choose CZ if you want to get the best value for your budget, brilliant shine, and durability without the premium price. CZ is the highest-value entry point in GLD's collection.

Choose moissanite if you’re looking for a unique brilliance, want a stone that passes the diamond tester, and you want a step up from CZ. Moissanite is typically 80% less expensive than a diamond and scores a 9.25/10 on the Mohs scale.

Choose a lab diamond if you want a real diamond with the same chemical structure, hardness, and grading at a significantly lower price than a mined stone. Lab diamonds are typically 50% less expensive than natural diamonds.

Choose a natural diamond if you want the top tier. This includes rarity, geological origin, and the premium price that comes with a stone formed in the earth over billions of years. 

As Christian mentioned, "I started this company to give you guys the best shine at all the different price points. No matter if you get a CZ, a moissanite, a lab, or a natural diamond, all the options are going to have you shining from GLD. You pick the one that fits your life the best."

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of stones in jewelry?
The four main jewelry stone types are cubic zirconia, moissanite, lab diamonds, and natural diamonds. Each has a unique composition, origin, and price point.

What is cubic zirconia?
Cubic zirconia, also known as CZ, is a lab-made stone made of zirconium dioxide. It scores an 8.5/10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it very durable, and is the most cost-efficient stone option available.

What is moissanite?
Moissanite is a brilliant gemstone made of lab-grown silicon carbide, originally discovered in 1893 inside a meteorite by Henri Moissan. It scores a 9.25/10 on the Mohs scale and is typically around 80% less expensive than a natural diamond. It also passes the common diamond tester.

Are lab diamonds real diamonds?
Yes. Lab diamonds have the same exact chemical structure as natural diamonds. They are graded by the same gemological standards for cut, color, clarity, and carat, and score a 10/10 on the Mohs scale. Lab diamonds are typically around 50% less expensive than natural diamonds because they are grown in a lab rather than mined.

What is the difference between lab diamonds and natural diamonds?
Lab diamonds and natural diamonds have the same chemical makeup, the same hardness, and are graded by the same standards. The only difference is their origin, as natural diamonds are formed deep within the earth over billions of years and extracted through mining, while lab diamonds are grown in a controlled laboratory environment.

Which stone is the hardest?
Both lab diamonds and natural diamonds score a perfect 10/10 on the Mohs scale, making them the hardest materials on earth. Moissanite scores a 9.25 and CZ scores an 8.5. All four stone types are highly durable for daily wear.

Which stone should I choose?
Choose CZ for the best value, shine, and durability at the most accessible price. Choose moissanite for a step up from CZ with unique brilliance and a stone that passes the diamond tester, at around 80% less than a natural diamond. Choose a lab diamond for a real diamond with the same chemical structure and grading as a natural diamond at around 50% less. Choose a natural diamond for the top tier option.

J John Polanco