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Yes, moissanite jewelry costs more. Here’s what you’re paying for and why the cheapest option isn’t always the best value over time.
Moissanite is harder than cubic zirconia (9.25 vs 8-8.5 Mohs) and graded to clear standards. At Mondays Made it’s also set on sterling silver with thick 18k vermeil and a two-year warranty. For jewelry you wear often, that usually means a lower cost per wear.
Here’s the honest answer: moissanite jewelry costs more than cubic zirconia jewelry because moissanite is harder, more resistant to scratching and generally produced to more clearly defined quality specifications. That holds whether you’re choosing moissanite rings, moissanite earrings, a moissanite necklace or a moissanite bracelet.
At Mondays Made, the stone is only part of what you’re paying for. Our moissanite is set in S925 sterling silver, finished with 18k gold vermeil plating that is significantly thicker than regular plating and covered by a two-year warranty.
So what is moissanite really worth next to cubic zirconia? The real comparison isn’t only the prices on the tags. It’s the quality of the complete piece. Here is exactly where the extra money goes: five reasons, each a real, checkable difference.
| Feature | Mondays Made moissaniteWhat you pay for | Typical cubic zirconia jewelry |
|---|---|---|
| Stone grading | D color, VVS1 clarity | No shared grading standard |
| Hardness | ~9.25 Mohs | ~8-8.5 Mohs |
| Metal base | S925 sterling silver | Often brass or base-metal alloy |
| Plating | 18k gold vermeil, 2.5-3 microns | Often thin flash plating |
| After purchase | 2-year warranty, 30-day returns | Varies by seller |
Our white moissanites are D-color, VVS1 clarity: the same grading standard used for high-end diamonds. D-color describes a colorless appearance, while VVS1 means clarity flaws are very, very hard to spot even under magnification.
Cubic zirconia jewelry isn’t graded this way at all. Ask what is cubic zirconia’s clarity grade and there’s rarely an answer, because “clear” on a listing for cubic zirconia gemstones can mean almost anything, with no shared standard behind the word.
With Mondays Made moissanite, the specifications give you a clearer idea of what you’re buying.
Mondays Made white moissanite: D-color · VVS1 clarity
Moissanite measures approximately 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale, while cubic zirconia typically measures around 8-8.5. That makes moissanite more resistant to the fine surface scratches that accumulate through regular wear.
This is especially relevant when comparing moissanite rings with cubic zirconia rings. Rings experience frequent contact with desks, bags and other hard surfaces. Over time, those small knocks can affect how crisp and brilliant a softer stone appears.
You’re not simply paying for a number on a chart. You’re paying for greater resistance to everyday wear.
Moissanite ~9.25 Mohs · Cubic zirconia ~8-8.5 Mohs
A beautiful stone still needs a well-made setting. Many inexpensive pieces use thin plating over brass or other base-metal alloys, which can become visible as the outer finish wears.
Mondays Made jewelry is built on an S925 sterling silver base. Our 18k gold and 18k rose-gold vermeil pieces use a gold layer approximately 2.5-3 microns thick, rather than a thin flash-plated finish. Our silver-tone pieces use a thick layer of rhodium over sterling silver.
You’re paying for more than the moissanite. You’re paying for the metal and finish supporting it too.
S925 sterling silver base · 2.5-3 microns gold vermeil · nickel- & lead-free
Every Mondays Made piece comes with a two-year warranty and a 30-day return or exchange period.
That matters because jewelry is meant to be worn, not simply admired in its box. If something covered by our warranty goes wrong, you have a clear way to reach us and make it right.
When comparing prices, look beyond the stone and check what support is included after purchase.
2-year warranty · 30-day returns & exchanges
A lower price only saves money if you continue wearing the piece.
A $30 cubic zirconia ring may feel like the obvious bargain. But if it becomes scratched, gets replaced or eventually stays in a drawer, its cost per wear rises quickly.
A moissanite ring costs more upfront, but its greater scratch resistance makes it better suited to frequent wear. The longer you keep reaching for it, the more value you receive from that initial purchase.
The better-value piece isn’t necessarily the one with the lowest price. It’s the one you still love wearing years later.
Divide the price by the number of times you expect to wear it. A piece you reach for every week for years ends up costing a fraction of its tag per wear.
Choose cubic zirconia jewelry if the lowest upfront price is your priority or you’re buying something for occasional wear.
Choose moissanite jewelry if you want greater scratch resistance, clearly defined stone specifications and a piece designed for frequent wear.
Moissanite costs more than cubic zirconia, but for jewelry you plan to reach for regularly, it offers better long-term value.
Start with the piece you’ll wear most. Pick moissanite earrings for an easy touch of sparkle, a moissanite necklace for a delicate focal point, or a moissanite bracelet to stack. For the most daily contact, moissanite rings get the most out of moissanite’s scratch resistance.
Lilac Sunset Moissanite Eternity Band
S925 Rhodium Vermeil, Moissanite
S$129
Bestseller
Wishing Arc Moissanite Necklace
S925 Rhodium Vermeil, Moissanite
S$149
Moissanite Tennis Bracelet - White
S925 Rhodium Vermeil, Moissanite
S$229
Lilac Sunset Moissanite Station Bracelet
S925 Rhodium Vermeil, Moissanite
S$149
Moissanite Clover Band - Reversible
S925 Rhodium Vermeil, Moissanite
S$129
Moissanite Solitaire Heart Ring
18k Rose Gold Vermeil, Moissanite
S$139
Winter Frost Moissanite Reversible Huggie Earrings
S925 Rhodium Vermeil, Moissanite
S$169
Soft Flutter Butterfly Charm Bracelet - Spring Pastels
S925 Rhodium Vermeil, Moissanite
S$149
Free worldwide shipping, 30-day returns, 2-year warranty
Moissanite is a lab-created gemstone known for its brilliance, rainbow fire and durability. At about 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale, it’s one of the hardest gemstones used in jewelry.
Cubic zirconia is a lab-created stone valued for its clear, diamond-like look and low price. It is softer than moissanite (about 8-8.5 Mohs), so it is more prone to fine surface scratches.
Moissanite is harder and produced to more clearly defined specifications. At Mondays Made you also pay for an S925 sterling silver base, 18k gold vermeil about 2.5-3 microns thick, and a two-year warranty.
For pieces you’ll wear often, we think so. Cubic zirconia wins on upfront price; moissanite wins on hardness, scratch resistance and long-term value, which lowers its cost per wear.
Our pieces are nickel and lead free and built on an S925 sterling silver base, which makes them a good fit for sensitive skin. If you have a known metal allergy, check the material details on each product page before you buy.
It covers defects in materials and workmanship for two years. You also have 30 days to return or exchange a piece.
D color, VVS1 moissanite set in sterling silver and thick 18k vermeil, made for the pieces you reach for every day.
Shop Moissanite JewelryFree worldwide shipping, 30-day returns, 2-year warranty
