Diamonds and moissanite are both very hard gemstones, but they have different levels of fracture toughness. Hardness is a measure of a material’s resistance to scratching, while fracture toughness is a measure of its resistance to breaking.
Diamonds are the hardest natural substance known to man, with a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale. Moissanite is slightly softer than diamonds, with a hardness of 9.25 on the Mohs scale. This means that diamonds are more resistant to scratching than moissanite.
However, moissanite has a higher fracture toughness than diamonds. This means that moissanite is more resistant to breaking than diamonds. This is because moissanite has a more even distribution of atoms than diamonds, which makes it less likely to crack.
In general, diamonds are considered to be more valuable than moissanite because they are rarer and more difficult to produce. However, moissanite is a good alternative to diamonds for people who are looking for a hard and durable gemstone that is more affordable.
Here is a table comparing the hardness and fracture toughness of diamonds and moissanite:
Property Diamond Moissanite
Hardness (Mohs scale) 10 9.25
Fracture toughness (MPa√m) 4.5 6.0
As you can see, diamonds are harder than moissanite, but moissanite has a higher fracture toughness. This means that diamonds are more resistant to scratching, but moissanite is more resistant to breaking.
Ultimately, the best gemstone for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you are looking for a gemstone that is the hardest possible, then a diamond is the best choice. However, if you are looking for a gemstone that is both hard and durable, then moissanite is a good option.
Here are some additional details about the hardness and fracture toughness of diamonds and moissanite:
Hardness: Hardness is a measure of a material’s resistance to scratching. It is measured on the Mohs scale, with a rating of 10 being the hardest possible substance. Diamonds have a hardness of 10, making them the hardest natural substance known to man. Moissanite has a hardness of 9.25, which is slightly softer than diamonds. Fracture toughness: Fracture toughness is a measure of a material’s resistance to breaking. It is determined by measuring the amount of force required to cause a crack to propagate through a material. Diamonds have a fracture toughness of 4.5 MPa√m, while moissanite has a fracture toughness of 6.0 MPa√m. This means that moissanite is more resistant to breaking than diamonds.
Overall, diamonds are harder than moissanite, but moissanite has a higher fracture toughness. This means that diamonds are more resistant to scratching, but moissanite is more resistant to breaking. Ultimately, the best gemstone for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.