Morganite Vs. Moissanite: Compare to the Differences [2024]

Morganite and Moissanite are both popular gemstones used in jewelry. For engagement rings or wedding rings, both are perfect choices. If you want to choose between morganite and moissanite for your engagement ring, you've come to the right place! Juyoyo will guide you through a comprehensive comparison of morganite and moissanite, including history, physical properties, price, etc. Let's get down to it!

What is Morganite?

Morganite belongs to the beryl gemstones, including well-known gemstones like emerald and aquamarine. Morganite is known for its beautiful pink to peachy-pink color caused by traces of manganese in its crystal structure. It is associated with love, compassion, and emotional healing, making it a popular choice for those seeking a gemstone with a soft, romantic appearance.

What is Moissanite?

Moissanite is a lab-created gemstone made of silicon carbide, especially known for its diamond-like qualities. Moissanite hardness scale can reach 9.25 (Mohs scale), making it one of the hardest gemstones available. It is often considered an alternative to diamond due to its overall appearance and durability. Moissanite is a popular choice for engagement rings and other types of jewelry as it offers a more affordable and ethical option when compared to diamonds.

Morganite Vs. Moissanite: Compare to the Differences

History and Origin

Morganite was first discovered in Madagascar in 1910 by George F. Kunz, a gemologist and mineralogist. The new pink beryl was named in honor of J.P. Morgan, an American banker and gem collector who was also an avid gem collector and patron of the arts and sciences. Today, morganite is mined primarily in Brazil and Madagascar. Brazil is known for producing morganite with a more intense pink color, while Madagascar is known for its peachy pink hues.

Moissanite has a unique history that sets it apart from other gemstones. It all began in 1893 when French chemist Henri Moissan discovered microscopic crystals of a new mineral in a meteorite crater in Arizona. At first, Moissan thought the crystals were diamonds because of their extraordinary brilliance and fire. However, further analysis revealed that the mineral was silicon carbide, which had never been found in nature before. Natural moissanite is extremely rare. As a result, almost all moissanite available today is produced synthetically in laboratories. Moissanite has gained popularity as an alternative to diamonds in jewelry, offering affordability, durability, and ethical considerations.

Hardness

Morganite's Mohs scale can reach between 7.5 and 8, making it a relatively durable gemstone, suitable for everyday wear. Despite being a softer gemstone, morganite can retain its beauty over time with proper care.

Morganite's Mohs scale can reach 9.25, which is one of the hardest substances on Earth, second only to diamond, making it extremely durable and scratch-resistant.

Other Physical Properties

When choosing a gemstone, it's important to consider these physical properties concerning how you plan to wear and care for your jewelry.

Composition

• Morganite: Beryllium aluminum silicate (Be₃Al₂(SiO₃)₆).
• Moissanite: Silicon carbide (SiC).

Refractive Index

• Morganite: 1.57-1.60.
• Moissanite: 2.65-2.69.

Specific Gravity

• Morganite: 2.80-2.90.
• Moissanite: About 3.21.

Luster

• Morganite: Vitreous.
• Moissanite: Adamantine to metallic luster.

Color

Morganite is known for its beautiful pink to peachy-pink color. While pink is the most common color for morganite, it can also occur in pale pink, salmon, or lavender shades. Its distinct pink hue is due to traces of manganese. This soft and delicate color is highly desired for its romantic and feminine appeal.

Moissanite is a lab-created gemstone that is available in a wide range of colors. The most popular and widely sought-after color for moissanite is colorless or near-colorless, which closely resembles the appearance of a diamond.

Clarity

Morganite gemstones are considered to be eye-clean, meaning that any inclusions are not visible to the naked eye and do not significantly affect the overall appearance.

Lab-created moissanite typically has excellent clarity due to the controlled conditions in which it is grown. It is highly unlikely to have any inclusions or flaws visible to the naked eye.

Brilliance

Moissanite has a higher refractive index than morganite, which means it has more fire (the dispersion of light into colors) and brilliance (the ability to reflect white light), making it exceptionally sparkling. If your preference is for a more sparkling engagement ring, a moissanite engagement ring is the best choice.

Price

The price of both morganite and moissanite gemstones is based on factors such as color, clarity, carat weight, and cut quality. Morganite is generally less expensive than diamonds but can be more expensive than moissanite, especially for high-quality specimens with exceptional color and clarity. Prices for morganite can vary widely, from about $100 to $300 per carat, while a good quality moissanite can range from about $300 to $600 per carat. In general, moissanite tends to be more affordable than morganite due to its lab-created nature and the fact that it is considered an alternative to diamond.

Maintenance

Morganite is slightly softer than moissanite, with a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. While still relatively durable, it is more susceptible to scratches and potential damage, especially if exposed to rough handling or harsh chemicals. Cleaning morganite is easy and can be done with mild soap and warm water, or with a jewelry cleaner designed specifically for gemstones.

Moissanite is a very durable gemstone, which makes it relatively easy to care for. It has a hardness of 9.25 on the Mohs scale, second only to diamonds. This means that it is scratch-resistant and can withstand everyday wear and tear without being easily damaged. Cleaning moissanite is similar to cleaning morganite, using mild soap and warm water or a gentle jewelry cleaner.

Morganite Vs. Moissanite: Which One to Choose?

When deciding between the two, consider not only the price but also the overall look and meaning you want to convey with your jewelry. Morganite is loved for its naturally occurring pink to peachy-pink hues, which give it a distinct and gentle appearance. Moissanite has gained popularity as a diamond alternative in jewelry, offering affordability, durability, and ethical considerations. Both gemstones are beautiful and durable, making them excellent choices for a variety of jewelry styles.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article has given you a clear understanding of the differences between Morganite and Moissanite. If you have decided on a Morganite engagement ring or a Moissanite engagement ring, Juyoyo is the place to shop! At Juyoyo you will find a variety of affordable and unique engagement and wedding rings with good customer service.

FAQS about Morganite and Moissanite

Why is moissanite so much cheaper?

Lab-created Moissanite is generally cheaper than diamonds primarily due to the differences in their supply and production processes.

Is moissanite or morganite better?

The question of whether moissanite or morganite is “better” depends on what you value most in a gemstone. For more brilliance and fire, moissanite is the best choice; for unique pink hues, morganite is the right choice.

Is morganite good for daily wear?

Morganite, with a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, is quite durable and suitable for daily wear. However, it’s not as hard as diamonds or moissanite, so it requires some care to maintain.