White Sapphire vs Moissanite vs Diamond

Considering options?

White Sapphire vs Moissanite vs Diamond

These three 'white' or colourless stones are each different materials and so have different properties.  All would be perfect for a forever ring that you intend to wear every day.  Below we talk through each and look at pro's and con's.

White Sapphire Moissanite Diamond
Cost
White Sapphire $
Moissanite $
Diamond $$$ (or $$ for lab-grown)
Origin
White Sapphire Can be either lab-grown or natural, but at H&H will always be Natural
Moissanite Lab-grown only
Diamond Can be either lab-grown or natural. Lab grown approx 50% cheaper (exactly the same properties).
Ethics
White Sapphire Generally no issues
Moissanite Generally no issues
Diamond Can be issues with natural diamond though the diamonds we supply are certified through the Kimberley Process which helps minimise this chance.
MOH scale

out of 10 (aka Durability)

White Sapphire 9
Moissanite 9.25-9.5
Diamond 10
Cleavage planes

(point of weakness)

White Sapphire No
Moissanite No
Diamond Yes
Fire & Brilliance

(sparkle)

White Sapphire Looks softer, not as harsh - white sparkles
Moissanite Highest sparkle - rainbow-like
Diamond High sparkle - white light
Colour
White Sapphire No scale available - too subjective
Moissanite Uses diamond colour scale (D-G ‘icy’ white, H-I bit softer white, J-K slight yellow)
Diamond Uses diamond colour scale (D-G ‘icy’ white, H-I bit softer white, J-K slight yellow)
Weight

*generally listed in mm to better compare across stone types

White Sapphire Tends to weigh approx 14% more than diamond, so a 1ct diamond will be the same size as a 1.14ct sapphire.
Moissanite Weighs 10% less than diamond so a 1ct diamond would be the same size as a 0.9ct moissanite.
Diamond Well-known weight scale measured in carats.
Summary
White Sapphire Best natural option
Moissanite Closest alternative to a diamond and much cheaper
Diamond Traditional choice and both lab and natural options available

White sapphire is the mineral corundum with no trace elements to colour it, hence it is colourless or white.  Just like all other colours of sapphire it scores a 9/10 on the MOH scale for hardness and durability.  While diamond is top of the scale at 10, in terms of the practical application only diamond or moissanite can actually scratch sapphire, so unless you are rubbing jewellery with these stones together you really don’t have to worry about scratching any of these materials!  While sapphire can be grown in a lab, there is no real ethical dilemma to worry about with sapphire, so we prefer the natural made by Mother Earth.  So much more romantic!

Diamond is the solid form of the element carbon and is the hardest natural substance known to man at 10/10 on the MOH scale.  The only thing that can scratch a diamond is another diamond.  That said, it is not unbreakable and can still break or chip.  Unlike sapphire or moissanite, diamond does have cleavage planes, which is an internal plane in the crystal which gives it a weak point where the crystal can more easily split.  It would absolutely require a lot of pressure to split though!  Diamond has fantastic brilliance (brightness), scintillation (sparkle) and dispersion (colourful flashes or “fire”).

Moissanite, made of element silicon carbide, can exist in nature though is generally extremely rare and the pieces are too small, so what you see in jewellery is generally lab-grown.  Moissanite rates second highest to diamond at 9.25-9.5 on the MOH scale and has no cleavage planes so again, a very tough and durable stone.  Moissanite actually has more brilliance and fire than any other gemstone, including diamond, however instead of white light (diamond) it gives rainbow-like light reflection.  This is probably one of the main visual differences and the most likely way you’ll be able to tell a moissanite from a diamond.

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Danielle P.
23:35 29 Aug 25
I absolutely love my ring from Hart and Halo. Celeste is more obsessed with sapphires than I am and provides a truly unique piece at a great price. I look forward to my next design and piece with her ☺️ I highly recommend her and her business to anyone wanting something a bit special and unique just to you.
karma G.
11:16 27 Aug 25
My ring is well made and beautiful.
Celeste was extremely patient, knowledgeable and kind. She helped push when I needed a push to make a decision. The result is a wonderful family heirloom. Im so pleased we worked together.
Angie M.
04:34 22 Aug 25
Easy process & detail was on point. Very happy with end result. Thank you Celeste & team.
Paul N.
05:07 17 Aug 25
From the very start to finish, our experience with Celeste was nothing short of amazing. She took the time to truly understand Jade's vision and guided her through every detail of the design process with warmth, patience, and genuine passion for her craft.
The craftsmanship is amazing, every angle of the engagement ring sparkles beautifully, and the attention to detail is second to none. It’s clear that Hart and Halo take great pride in their work, creating not just jewellery, but treasured pieces that tell a story.
Communication with Celeste was excellent throughout the entire process, with regular updates and reassurance that the ring was in the best hands. The final piece exceeded all our expectations and it’s more stunning than we could have ever imagined, and my partner has received endless compliments on it.

Even the process of getting a few touch ups on the ring was simple. Celeste took great care of us and even though we hadn't worked with her before, she was well read on our journey and already had all the details she needed. Very kind and professional.

We are both so grateful for her skill, professionalism, and care. From the moment you meet Cleste you feel comfortable and she makes you feel at home. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Hart and Halo to anyone looking for a truly special, custom-made piece. They truly care and can turn dreams into reality.

Jade and Paul
Stigma ..
20:24 14 Aug 25
Love my 1 of 1 necklace. I was able to be hands on with this and got it exactly how I wanted it. Thanks.
Kelly R.
19:26 11 Aug 25
Meeting Celeste was a via a very random click on a Facebook post and realising it was meant to be. Right from the beginning, Celeste was open and honest and genuine. For her jewellery, for her creativity, for her passion in what she does. Sometimes we meet people that we just click with, so though this journey created a beautiful piece of jewellery that symbolises a new beginning for me, this journey also created a fabulous connection with someone like minded. Bring on the next piece!
I can’t recommend Hart & Halo enough. For everything you could possibly need - valuations, resizing, remodelling, cleaning.
This has been such a pleasure 🧡
Mary A.
23:00 10 Aug 25
Working with Hart & Halo was wonderful. Great service. We're so pleased.
Tayla B.
07:39 19 May 25
This was my first time having an engagement ring let alone designing it. I thought it was just a basic design but found out there are soooo many details that go into a rings. Celeste made it so easy to understand all the terms and help me decide what would look best for what I wanted. Being able to go and sit with her at her gorgeous home with her fur babies (huuuuuge plus for me) was so calming and much nicer than going into a busy store and feeling rushed to decide. Celeste was so knowledgeable and made me feel at ease that I would get exactly what I wanted and I did truly. I later on added a detail in and I was made to feel like this was normal and not at all a hassle for her. She kept my partner updated at all stages and having a payment plan made it easier to achieve than paying it all in one go. Could not recommend going and customizing your dream ring for whatever the occasion enough. I'm so glad I changed my mind from buying from a store to Celeste. An engagement ring especially is very special and you want the process of designing it to feel that way and Celeste definitely did that. So again, for millionth time, thank you so so much. So so happy with my ring!
Dazzle E.
21:13 06 May 25
I couldn’t be happier with my experience with Hart & Halo. Although everything was handled online, Celeste understood exactly what I had in mind for the engagement ring and brought it to life beautifully. The entire process felt personal, smooth, and easy.

The ring turned out even better than I imagined and made our proposal even more special. Thank you for the exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail. I highly recommend Hart & Halo to anyone looking for a meaningful and well-crafted piece.
Candace T.
03:12 02 May 25
Super stoked with the total experience and the outcome of my dream come true ring. The whole process from start to finish was a breeze! Communication & options available was excellent - made me feel comfortable in my choices, with no compromise. Highly recommend!
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