When it comes to choosing an engagement ring or any other piece of fine jewelry, durability plays a vital role. Two popular gemstone options that often come into consideration are diamonds and moissanite. In this article, moissanite diamond supplier will delve into the comparison between diamond and moissanite, specifically focusing on their durability.
Hardness
At a 10 on the Mohs scale, diamond is well-known as the hardest material. Nothing but a diamond can scratch another diamond. With a hardness of 9.25, moissanite is the second-hardest material used a gemstone. Unless you store your moissanite with diamond jewelry, it’s highly unlikely that it will scratch.
Toughness
However, determining whether moissanite or diamond makes a tougher gem material is difficult. People who sell moissanite may claim moissanite is tougher, while those who sell diamond may claim the opposite.
Moissanite doesn’t have a cleavage plane, while diamond does. (This is an internal plane along which a diamond crystal can easily split). This gives a durability advantage to moissanite. However, this doesn’t help establish how hard a moissanite needs to be knocked until it chips or shatters.
The IGS cannot corroborate the following measurements of pressure tolerance in millions of pounds per square inch (PSI) for diamond, moissanite, and cubic zirconia (CZ), another well-known diamond simulant. However, they may give some basis for comparison:
Diamond: 14.6 PSI
Moissanite: 7.6 PSI
CZ: 2.4 PSI
If reliable, these figures indicate diamond takes about twice as much pressure to break than moissanite, while moissanite takes three times as much pressure to break than CZ. However, it’s not clear if the measurement for diamond is an average of pressure applied in any direction or if it was taken along its cleavage plane, which would be weaker. (CZ, like moissanite, also lacks a cleavage plane).
Generally, both diamond and moissanite are unlikely to chip or crack, although this is always a possibility and also depends on the type of cut. (For example, princess cuts may chip more easily than rounds). When choosing these wholesale moissanite gems from MOISSANITEJEWELRYWHOLESALE, durability isn’t a significant factor.
Conclusion
Both gemstones exhibit admirable durability. Diamonds, with their unmatched hardness, are renowned for their long-lasting quality. On the other hand, moissanite’s slightly lower hardness still makes it a durable alternative. Ultimately, personal preference, budget, and desired aesthetic play a crucial role in the decision-making process when choosing between these two gemstones.
