Guide · 3 min read
Is Moissanite Real? What It Actually Is
Short answer: yes. Moissanite is a real, distinct gemstone — not glass, not cubic zirconia, and not a “fake diamond.” Here's what it actually is.
A gem born in a meteor
Moissanite is silicon carbide. It was discovered in 1893 by the French chemist Henri Moissan in a meteor crater in Arizona — he first thought he'd found diamonds. Natural moissanite is vanishingly rare, so the moissanite used in jewelry today is grown in a lab to gem quality.
Not cubic zirconia
People mix the two up, but they're different stones. Moissanite is far harder (9.25 vs about 8.5 on the Mohs scale), throws noticeably more fire, and won't cloud or yellow over time. Cubic zirconia is softer and tends to dull with wear. Moissanite is in a different league.
Built to last
At 9.25 Mohs, moissanite is one of the hardest materials used in jewelry — excellent for daily wear. It resists scratching better than almost any gem except diamond, and it keeps its brilliance for life.
Certified, not guesswork
Every Airwaves moissanite piece is D-color and GRA certified, with the certificate in the box — so “is it real?” has a documented answer.
Questions
Is moissanite the same as cubic zirconia?
No. They're different materials. Moissanite is silicon carbide — much harder, more brilliant, and far more durable than CZ, which is softer and can cloud over time.
Will moissanite cloud, fade, or lose its sparkle?
No. Moissanite doesn't cloud or change color, and its hardness resists the scratches that dull softer stones. A quick clean with warm water and mild soap keeps it sparkling.