“Does moissanite look fake?”
What Sellers Say
“Moissanite is always indistinguishable from diamond.”
What Diamond Purists Say
“It looks cheap and obvious.”
THE HONEST ANSWER
Moissanite's appearance changes with the lighting around it — sunlight, shade, LEDs and candlelight all interact with the stone differently.
A higher refractive index bends light more strongly. Higher dispersion splits white light into more visible spectral colour — the rainbow flashes gemologists call “fire.”
Moissanite is doubly refractive; diamond is singly refractive. A trained gemologist may spot subtle doubling under magnification — but this is generally not visible to the naked eye during normal wear.
Both rings were viewed side by side in six real-world lighting conditions that jewellery regularly encounters.
TESTED STONE 1
TESTED STONE 2
Lighting Condition
Does It Look Fake?
Difference From Diamond
Direct Sunlight
No — most distinctive
Most noticeable rainbow fire
LED Spotlights
No — looks spectacular
Natural Shade
No — closest to diamond
Phone Camera
No — very photogenic
Fluorescent Office
No — maintains sparkle
Candlelight No — warm and romantic
More colourful and dramatic
Minimal difference to non-experts
Often appears more dramatic
May look livelier in flat light
Differences become less obvious
It's a genuine gemstone with its own optical identity — stronger rainbow fire than diamond, most noticeable in direct light. That difference is not a defect.
The better buying question: Do you prefer moissanite's expressive fire, or diamond's controlled white brilliance? Neither preference is wrong.
The honest answer also depends on the quality and colour of the stone itself.
The strongest choice for a brighter, more diamond-like appearance — strong brilliance and a clean look across lighting conditions.
May show additional warmth — a yellow, grey or greenish tint — depending on cut, size and lighting, particularly in daylight.
Our moissanite engagement rings use colourless DEF stones as standard — selected for strong brilliance, clarity and a clean appearance across lighting.
Q Will people know my ring is moissanite?
Most people won't identify it in everyday wear. The difference is easier to notice in direct sunlight or side-by-side.
Q Does moissanite look fake in photos?
No — it usually photographs very well, often with striking, colourful flashes under flash or concentrated light.
Q Is moissanite worth it over lab-grown diamond?
Depends on priorities — moissanite costs less with stronger fire; diamond offers classic brilliance and grading.
The right choice depends on what you value — not on whether one gemstone is pretending to be the other.
Choose Moissanite
Expressive rainbow fire and strong value.
Choose Lab-Grown Diamond
Classic white brilliance and true diamond composition.