The Stone Behind the Shine
What Is
Moissanite?
The lab-created gem that outshines, outperforms, and outlasts — at a fraction of the cost. Here's everything you need to know.
Origins
Born From a Meteorite
In 1893, Nobel Prize-winning chemist Henri Moissan discovered microscopic crystals of silicon carbide inside a meteorite crater in Arizona. He initially thought he'd found diamonds. He hadn't — he'd found something rarer: a gemstone that wouldn't be seen again on Earth for over a century.
Today, moissanite is grown in labs using the same silicon carbide composition discovered by Moissan. The result is a near-perfect gemstone with optical properties that rival — and in some ways surpass — a natural diamond.
At Zombie Stones, every piece is set with VVS-grade moissanite — the highest clarity standard — paired with S925 sterling silver. The look is unmistakable. The price isn't.
Head to Head
Moissanite vs. Diamond
| Property | Diamond | Moissanite Our Stone |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness (Mohs) | 10 | 9.25 – 9.5 ✦ |
| Refractive Index | 2.42 | 2.65 – 2.69 ✦ |
| Fire / Dispersion | 0.044 | 0.104 (2.4× more) ✦ |
| Clarity | Varies (I1 – FL) | VVS standard ✦ |
| Passes Diamond Tester | Yes | Yes ✦ |
| Ethically Sourced | Not guaranteed | Always — lab-grown ✦ |
| Price per carat | $4,000 – $15,000+ | $300 – $600 ✦ |
Why It Hits Different
The Real Advantages
Unmatched Brilliance
With a refractive index of 2.65 — higher than any natural gemstone — moissanite bends and returns more light than a diamond. Under any lighting, it's impossibly bright.
2.4× More Fire
Dispersion measures how a stone splits white light into rainbow color. Moissanite scores 0.104 — more than double a diamond's 0.044. The color play is addictive.
Passes the Diamond Test
Standard thermal diamond testers read moissanite as a diamond every time. The optical and thermal properties are that close. Most people — and most machines — can't tell the difference.
Built for Daily Wear
At 9.25–9.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, moissanite is harder than sapphire, ruby, and every other gemstone except diamond. It's scratch-resistant, chip-resistant, and built to last a lifetime.
Lab-Grown = Conflict-Free
Every moissanite is grown in a controlled lab environment. No mining. No conflict supply chains. No ethical compromise. You get luxury without the baggage that comes with mined stones.
Real Luxury, Real Price
A 1-carat diamond can cost $10,000 or more. A 1-carat VVS moissanite? A fraction of that. Same presence. Same pass on the tester. You keep the difference — and the flex.
How We Do It
The Zombie Stones Standard
Every piece in our collection is held to the same uncompromising spec sheet. We don't cut corners on materials — because the way a chain hits in the light is everything.
-
✦
VVS Moissanite Near-flawless clarity. No visible inclusions to the naked eye — or a loupe.
-
✦
S925 Sterling Silver 92.5% pure silver alloy — solid, heavy, and built for real wear. Not hollow. Not plated over cheap metal.
-
✦
GRA Certified Every stone comes with a Gemological Research Association certificate verifying authenticity and grade.
-
✦
Professionally Set Stones are precision-set so they stay secure through movement, activity, and everyday life.
Common Questions
Still Got Questions?
Does moissanite look fake?
No. Moissanite is a real gemstone — not a simulant like cubic zirconia. Its optical properties are so close to diamond that even trained jewelers and standard diamond testers can't reliably distinguish it without specialized equipment. The only visible difference? Moissanite actually has more sparkle.
Will it scratch or chip over time?
Moissanite scores 9.25–9.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it harder than virtually every other gemstone except diamond (10). It's highly resistant to scratching and chipping and is rated safe for everyday wear.
Does it pass a diamond tester?
Yes. Moissanite has thermal conductivity similar to diamond, so it reads as a diamond on standard thermal diamond testers. Only a multi-test meter (which also checks electrical conductivity) can differentiate them — and even then, it doesn't mean moissanite is "fake." It's simply its own premium gemstone.
Why is moissanite so much cheaper than diamond?
Diamonds are mined — a process that's slow, destructive, and tightly controlled by a small number of companies that keep prices artificially high. Moissanite is lab-grown, which means consistent quality, ethical sourcing, and no supply chain markup. You're paying for the gem, not the mining and marketing.
What is GRA certification?
GRA (Gemological Research Association) is an independent gem certification body that grades and authenticates gemstones. Every Zombie Stones piece comes with a GRA certificate confirming the stone's authenticity, clarity grade (VVS), and specifications. It's your proof of quality — not just a label.
Ready to Upgrade
Get the Shine Without the Spend
Every Zombie Stones piece is engineered from S925 sterling silver and VVS moissanite. See the full collection.
Shop the Collection