Imitation, Moissanite and Real Diamond Jewellery: What Is the Difference?

Real diamond jewellery uses natural or lab-grown diamond, moissanite jewellery uses a lab-made gemstone that looks close to diamond, and imitation jewellery uses a plated base metal with glass or simulated stones. They differ most in price, durability and resale value. Sirini sells gold-plated imitation Kundan, Meenakari and Polki-style jewellery only; we do not sell moissanite, real diamonds or real gold.

Real diamond jewellery

Real diamond jewellery is set with diamonds, which are crystallised carbon and the hardest natural gem (10 on the Mohs scale). The diamond can be mined or grown in a lab; both are chemically diamond. In India, diamonds are graded on the four Cs (cut, colour, clarity, carat) and sold with a grading report, and the gold they are set in should carry a BIS hallmark. This is the most expensive option and the only one that holds meaningful resale value.

Polki is worth a mention here. Traditional Polki is made with uncut diamonds set in Kundan style, so genuine Polki is real diamond jewellery. Polki-style pieces made from other stones are imitation.

Moissanite jewellery

Moissanite is silicon carbide, first found in a meteorite crater, and almost all moissanite sold today is made in a lab. It is very hard (about 9.25 on the Mohs scale, just below diamond) and has a higher refractive index than diamond, so it throws more rainbow flashes. It usually costs far less than a diamond of the same size. Moissanite is normally set in real gold or silver, which means it sits in the fine-jewellery tier, not the fashion tier.

Imitation jewellery

Imitation jewellery is made from a base metal such as brass or copper, plated with a thin layer of gold, and set with glass or other simulated stones. It is designed to look like fine jewellery at a fraction of the cost. The trade-off is that the plating can wear, the stones are less hard and the piece has essentially no resale value. It is best for occasion wear and for styles that would be very heavy or costly in real gold.

How the three compare

• Material: diamond is carbon; moissanite is silicon carbide; imitation is plated brass or copper with glass or simulated stones.
• Hardness: diamond 10, moissanite about 9.25, glass and most simulated stones much lower and more prone to scratching.
• Sparkle: moissanite shows more rainbow fire than diamond; a good diamond has a whiter, crisper sparkle; glass stones look lively but less brilliant.
• Price: diamond is highest; moissanite is a fraction of diamond; imitation is lowest, with a Kundan-style bridal set typically in the thousands of rupees, not lakhs.
• Resale: diamond holds value, moissanite has limited resale, imitation has none.
• Care: diamond and moissanite are durable; imitation needs dry storage and protection from perfume, sweat and water.

Which one is right for you

Choose real diamond if you want an heirloom or an investment and the budget allows. Choose moissanite if you want the look of a diamond in fine-jewellery settings at a lower price. Choose imitation if you want a full traditional look for weddings, festivals and events without the cost, weight or worry of real stones. Many families mix them: one real piece for daily wear and imitation for the heavy occasion sets. Our real gold versus imitation comparison covers that split for weddings.

Where Sirini fits

Sirini is a Mumbai jewellery brand founded in 2017. Every piece we make is gold-plated imitation jewellery on a brass or copper base, set with glass and coloured stones in Kundan, Meenakari and Polki style. We do not sell moissanite, real diamonds or real gold, and our Polki-style pieces use uncut-look stones, not real diamonds. If that suits your budget and occasion, browse our bridal collection or necklace sets. Our gold-plated versus solid gold guide explains plating in more detail.

Shipping is a flat Rs 379 across India with cash on delivery available. Defective, damaged or wrong items can be exchanged within 7 days. Questions before you buy: WhatsApp us at +91 98331 14467.

Common questions

Is moissanite a real diamond?

No. Moissanite is silicon carbide, a different mineral from diamond, which is carbon. It looks similar and is very hard, but it is a separate gemstone and is usually much cheaper.

Can you tell moissanite from diamond by eye?

Usually not reliably. Moissanite tends to show more rainbow flashes, but the difference is subtle. Basic diamond testers that check heat can read moissanite as diamond, so a jeweller needs an electrical conductivity test or a grading report.

Is Polki real diamond?

Traditional Polki is uncut diamond, so genuine Polki jewellery contains real diamonds. Polki-style imitation jewellery, including Sirini's, uses other stones that look uncut and contains no diamonds.

Does Sirini sell moissanite or real diamond jewellery?

No. Sirini sells gold-plated imitation jewellery only, in Kundan, Meenakari and Polki style. We do not sell moissanite, real diamonds or real gold.

Does imitation jewellery have any resale value?

Essentially none. Real gold and diamond hold value; imitation is bought for how it looks and wears, not as an investment.

Which is better for a wedding, imitation or real diamond?

It depends on budget and how often you will re-wear it. Diamond suits an heirloom you will keep; imitation suits heavy bridal sets worn once or twice. Many brides choose one real piece and imitation for the rest.

Read next: Real gold or imitation for your wedding · Meenakari, Kundan and Polki explained.