Moissanite has become a popular diamond alternative—but how does it really compare? Here's an honest, side-by-side look at both stones. What Is Moissanite? Moissanite is a gemstone made of silicon carbide, originally discovered in a meteor crater in 1893 by Dr. Henri Moissan. Today's moissanite is lab-created and designed specifically for jewelry. Key Differences Sparkle & Fire Moissanite actually has MORE fire (rainbow flashes) than diamond. Its refractive index is 2.65-2.69 vs. diamond's 2.42. This creates a "disco ball" effect—beautiful...