We agree that CZ is nothing more than a gemstone that simulates a diamond. However we believe the reason it didn't significantly change the diamond market is not that it wasn't natural, but because it failed to live up to the hype. If the optical and physical properties of a CZ more closely matched or even exceeded that of a diamond, the diamond market would look much different than it does today.
Moissanite doesn't try and simulate a diamond, it surpasses it in many important ways including brilliance, fire, luster, toughness, resistance to heat, without even mentioning the obvious: price. Below is a chart which compares the properties of diamonds vs moissanite.
Diamond
Moissanite
Atomic Composition
C
SiC
R.I. (Brilliance)
2.42
2.69
Fire (Dispersion)
0.044
0.104
Luster
17.20%
20.40%
Hardness
10
9.25
Toughness
Good
Excellent
Clarity
13 - Flawless
VS
Color
Varies
D-H
Quality of Cut
Varies (Poor to Excellent)
Excellent
Attraction to Dirt/Oil
Moderate
Low
Heat Resistance
High
Very High
Price
$3,000-8,000/ct
~$300/ct
Summary:
Optical Properties: Moissanite has superior fire, brilliance, and luster than diamond
Physical Properties: Moissanite is tougher. The hardness of Moissanite, although less, is comparable in the sense that it is easily sufficient for daily wear and to last for generations. Moissanite is the 2nd hardest gemstone on earth.
Durability: Moissanite has higher heat tolerance than diamonds making damage from heat during jewelry manufacturing and repair very unlikely
Clarity and Quality of Cut: diamonds vary widely whereas Moissanite has consistently high clarity and cut
Color: the Forever One Moissanites are colorless, graded D-F. Near colorless Moissanites (G-I) are also available.
Attraction to Dirt/Oil: the pure carbon composition of diamond make it so attractive to oil and grease that it is used to separate rock and diamonds at diamond mines. Due to the mixed carbon and silicon composition of Moissanite, it has a much lower propensity to attract dirt and oil.
