The price difference between moissanite and diamond is one of the most searched questions in the gemstone world — and for good reason. The numbers are striking. Here's an honest, detailed breakdown of what you actually pay per carat for each stone in 2026.
The Short Answer
Moissanite costs approximately 90–95% less than a comparable diamond per carat. A 1-carat round brilliant diamond of good quality (G color, VS2 clarity) retails for $4,000–$7,000. A 1-carat round brilliant moissanite of DEF color and VVS1 clarity retails for $300–$600. Same size. Dramatically different price.
Price Per Carat: Side-by-Side Comparison
0.5 carat (5mm round):
Diamond (G/VS2): $1,200–$2,500
Moissanite (DEF/VVS1): $150–$250
1 carat (6.5mm round):
Diamond (G/VS2): $4,000–$7,000
Moissanite (DEF/VVS1): $300–$600
2 carat (8.1mm round):
Diamond (G/VS2): $12,000–$25,000
Moissanite (DEF/VVS1): $600–$1,200
3 carat (9.4mm round):
Diamond (G/VS2): $25,000–$60,000
Moissanite (DEF/VVS1): $900–$1,800
These are retail prices for loose stones. Setting costs are additional and roughly equivalent for both stones.
Why Is Moissanite So Much Cheaper?
The price difference is not about quality — it's about supply, demand, and production method. Diamonds are mined from the earth in a capital-intensive process with significant marketing infrastructure built over decades to maintain perceived scarcity and value. Moissanite is lab-created silicon carbide, produced in controlled conditions with consistent quality and no mining costs.
The result: moissanite can be produced at a fraction of the cost of a mined diamond, and those savings are passed directly to the buyer. You are not buying a lesser gemstone — you are buying a different gemstone that happens to cost dramatically less to produce. Read our full explanation: Why Is Moissanite So Much Cheaper Than Diamond?
Does the Price Difference Reflect a Quality Difference?
Not in the ways that matter for daily wear. Moissanite scores 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale (diamond is 10). Moissanite has a higher refractive index than diamond (2.65–2.69 vs. 2.42), meaning it produces more brilliance and fire per carat. Moissanite does not scratch, cloud, or degrade with daily wear.
The meaningful differences are: moissanite produces more rainbow fire than diamond (some buyers love this; others prefer diamond's more subdued sparkle), and moissanite has no resale market comparable to diamonds. If resale value matters to you, that's an honest consideration. If you're buying a ring to wear and love, not to sell, moissanite's price advantage is simply a better deal. Read more: Does Moissanite Have Resale Value?
What the Price Difference Means in Practice
The $4,000–$6,000 you save by choosing a 1-carat moissanite over a comparable diamond is real money. Some couples use it to fund a honeymoon, a down payment, or an emergency fund. Others use it to buy a larger stone — a 2-carat moissanite for the price of a 0.5-carat diamond. Others simply prefer not to spend that much on a ring, regardless of budget.
All of these are legitimate choices. Read our full analysis: The $10,000 Difference: What Your Diamond Budget Could Actually Buy You.
Lab-Grown Diamond vs. Moissanite: The Price Comparison
Lab-grown diamonds have disrupted the diamond market significantly. A 1-carat lab-grown diamond (G/VS2) now retails for $800–$1,500 — significantly less than mined diamonds, but still 2–3x the price of comparable moissanite. Lab-grown diamonds also face ongoing price depreciation as production scales. Read our full comparison: Moissanite vs. Lab-Grown Diamonds.
Shop by Budget
Whatever your budget, moissanite gives you more stone for your money. Explore our engagement ring collection, our rings under $500, or our rings under $1,000. All DEF color, VVS1 clarity, GRA-certified.
🛡️ Lifetime Gemstone Warranty — Your stones are protected forever.
⬆️ Lifetime Upgrade Program — Upgrade your stones or metal anytime.
✏️ Request a Custom Design — Make it uniquely yours.
Related guides:
Why Is Moissanite So Much Cheaper Than Diamond?
Moissanite vs. Diamond: The Ultimate Comparison
Does Moissanite Have Resale Value?
Moissanite vs. Lab-Grown Diamonds
Moissanite Ring Budget Guide