Lab Grown Diamond vs. Moissanite vs. Sapphire: Which Should I Choose?

Three beautiful stones, three very different personalities. When it comes to choosing the center stone for your engagement ring, diamonds aren’t your only option, especially if you have your heart set on a dreamy white or colorless look! Lab grown diamonds, moissanites, and sapphires are all gorgeous choices, but each brings something a little different to the ring party. Maybe you’re dreaming of classic diamond sparkles, maybe you want maximum rainbow fire, or maybe you love the romantic, slightly vintage feel of a sapphire! Whatever your style, we’re breaking down lab diamond vs. moissanite vs. sapphire to help you find your perfect match. Ready to meet your contenders? Let’s dive in!

What Is A Lab Grown Diamond?

First up: lab grown diamonds! A lab grown diamond is exactly what it sounds like, a diamond grown in a controlled laboratory environment rather than mined from the earth. But don’t let the word “lab” fool you! Lab diamonds aren’t diamond simulants. They have the same chemical composition and physical properties as mined diamonds, giving you that classic diamond engagement ring experience at a different price point than a comparable mined diamond! When it comes to looks? Hello, sparkle!

Lab grown diamonds offer the crisp, bright brilliance you probably picture when you think of a traditional diamond engagement ring. They’re available in tons of shapes, cuts, sizes, and qualities, giving you plenty of room to create a ring that feels completely you.

A lab grown diamond might be your perfect match if you:

• Have always dreamed of a diamond engagement ring

• Love timeless, classic jewelry

• Want an durable stone for everyday wear

• Want more flexibility with size and quality for your budget

• Want a diamond but aren’t attached to a mined origin

What Is A Moissanite?

Next up, we have one of our longtime loves: moissanite! The history of moissanite is pretty out of this world, literally. Natural moissanite is incredibly rare because they only come about when a meteorite hits the earth in the correct way! Since naturally occurring moissanite is so scarce, the moissanite used in fine jewelry today is lab created!

One misconception we hear from time to time is that moissanite is a “fake diamond”, and that is absolutely not the case! Moissanite is its own gemstone, with its own chemical composition, optical properties, and signature sparkle. Speaking of sparkle, moissanite understood the assignment! One of moissanite’s defining characteristics is its incredible fire. It disperses light into colorful rainbow flashes, giving it a lively, fiery sparkle that can look especially magical in the sunlight.

A moissanite engagement ring might be for you if you: 

• Believe there’s no such thing as too much sparkle

• Love those dreamy rainbow flashes

• Want the look of a larger center stone without dramatically increasing your budget

• Want a durable gemstone for everyday wear

• Aren’t set on having a diamond

• Love a slightly more whimsical, eye-catching sparkle

What Is A Sapphire?

Last but definitely not least: sapphire! When you hear “sapphire,” your mind probably immediately goes to that iconic deep blue hue. Surprise, sapphires come in a rainbow of colors, including pink, yellow, green, peach, and even white sapphire! White sapphires can be a beautiful option for someone who loves the appearance of a light-colored center stone but wants something a little less traditional than a diamond or moissanite.

White sapphires tend to have a softer, more subtle appearance than diamonds and moissanites. Rather than throwing tons of bright sparkle, they often have a romantic glow that can give an engagement ring a gorgeous vintage-inspired feel.

A sapphire engagement ring might be your match if you:

• Love vintage-inspired or romantic jewelry

• Want something a little less traditional

• Prefer a softer glow over intense sparkle

• Love the idea of incorporating color into your engagement ring

• Want a durable gemstone suitable for everyday jewelry

Lab Diamond vs. Moissanite vs. Sapphire: What Are The Biggest Differences?

Okay, you’ve officially met all three. But how do lab diamonds, moissanites, and sapphires actually compare? Let’s break it down!

Which Has the Most Sparkle?

If sparkle is high on your engagement ring wish list, this is where the personalities of these three gemstones really come through.

Lab Diamond: Think classic brilliance. Lab diamonds give you that crisp, bright, timeless diamond sparkle.

Moissanite: Bring on the rainbow! Moissanite is known for its intense fire and colorful flashes, making it a favorite for anyone who wants their ring to sparkle.

Sapphire: More glow, less glitter. Sapphires generally don’t sparkle as intensely as diamonds or moissanites. Instead, their beauty comes from their color, depth, and softer appearance.

So, which wins? There really isn’t one universal winner, it depends on the kind of sparkle you love!

Classic sparkle: Lab diamond
Rainbow sparkle: Moissanite
Soft, romantic glow: Sapphire

Which Is the Most Durable?

Good news: all three are durable gemstone options for an engagement ring! On the Mohs scale, diamonds rank at a 10, moissanite is approximately 9.25, and sapphire ranks at a 9. That makes all three strong contenders for jewelry you plan to wear regularly. Of course, no engagement ring is completely indestructible. Mindful wear, proper care, and routine jewelry checkups can help keep your stone and setting looking beautiful for years to come.

Which Is The Most Affordable?

Budget is another big consideration when comparing lab diamonds vs. moissanite vs. sapphire, but there isn’t a perfect one-size-fits-all price ranking! In general, moissanite can offer a larger-looking center stone at a lower price than a comparable lab grown diamond. 

Sapphire pricing can vary significantly depending on its color, quality, origin, treatment, size, and cut, while lab diamond pricing also varies based on carat weight, cut, color, clarity, shape, and other factors! The best choice isn’t necessarily the stone with the lowest price tag, it’s the one that gives you the look, durability, size, and overall vibe you love within your budget.

So…Should I Choose a Lab Diamond, Moissanite, or Sapphire?

At the end of the day, there’s no “best” engagement ring stone, only the one that makes you happiest every time you look down at your hand.

Customization

Already dreaming up your perfect lab diamond, moissanite, or sapphire engagement ring? Let’s make those ring dreams a reality! Through our custom design process, we can help you create an engagement ring that feels completely and uniquely yours, from choosing your center stone to dreaming up all those little design details that make your ring extra special! Feel free to contact us or schedule a consultation to get started. We can’t wait to hear what you’re dreaming up!

How fun was this gemstone guide? Which of these three gemstones are you choosing as the center stone of your engagement ring? As always, be sure to follow us on our socials, check out our website and subscribe to our newsletter to see what’s new here at Love & Promise. Catch you next time, friends!