What Is Moissanite Made Of?
How silicon carbide becomes the bright, durable gemstone used in modern jewelry.
What is moissanite made from?
Moissanite is made of silicon carbide, a compound containing silicon and carbon. Its chemical formula is SiC. That composition is different from diamond, which is made of carbon.
The moissanite used in jewelry today is grown under controlled laboratory conditions because natural moissanite is extremely rare.
What is silicon carbide?
Silicon carbide is a very hard crystalline material. In gemstone form, its hardness and optical properties make it useful for jewelry that needs to handle regular wear while producing strong brilliance and fire.
Is moissanite a synthetic diamond?
No. Lab-grown moissanite and lab-grown diamond are different materials. A lab-grown diamond has the same basic carbon crystal structure as a mined diamond. Moissanite is silicon carbide.
Our moissanite vs lab-grown diamond guide compares them in more detail.
Is natural moissanite found on Earth?
Natural moissanite does exist, but it is extremely rare. The jewelry market relies on lab-grown material rather than mining gem-quality natural moissanite.
Does being lab-grown make moissanite fake?
No. Lab-grown describes how the material was produced. Moissanite has its own chemical composition and physical properties.
If you are starting your research, read our full What Is Moissanite? guide.
Why is silicon carbide good for jewelry?
It combines high hardness with strong light performance. That gives moissanite durability for regular wear and noticeable sparkle.
Its appearance is not identical to diamond. Moissanite tends to show stronger colorful fire, particularly in direct lighting.
See finished examples in MOISS & ICE moissanite jewelry.
Frequently asked questions
Is moissanite made from glass?
No. Moissanite is silicon carbide, not glass.
Is moissanite cubic zirconia?
No. Cubic zirconia is zirconium dioxide. It is a different material with different physical and optical properties.
Is moissanite made from diamonds?
No. Diamond and moissanite are separate materials.
Is jewelry moissanite lab-grown?
Commercial jewelry moissanite is lab-grown because natural gem-quality material is exceptionally rare.
Bottom line
Moissanite is silicon carbide. It is not a fake diamond or cubic zirconia. It is a separate gemstone material with its own appearance, hardness and place in jewelry.