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Moissanite Size Chart: MM to Carat Equivalent for Round, Oval, Pear & Cushion Cuts

by Jewelry Towns on 0 Comments

Moissanite Size Chart: MM to Carat Equivalent for Round, Oval, Pear & Cushion Cuts

Quick Answer: Compare moissanite by millimetres first, not by carat alone. Carat is a unit of weight, while millimetres describe the stone's physical face-up size. Because moissanite is less dense than diamond, a moissanite stone can have the same visible dimensions as a diamond but weigh less. Sellers often use DEW — Diamond Equivalent Weight to describe the diamond-like visual size. For example, a 6.5 mm round moissanite is commonly sold as about 1 ct DEW even though its actual moissanite weight is lower.
“1 carat moissanite” sounds simple until you compare two shops and discover that the stones have different measurements. That happens because carat measures mass, not how large a gemstone looks from the top. This guide puts millimetres first and uses carat only as an approximate diamond-size reference, so you can compare round, oval, pear and cushion moissanite without confusing actual weight with visual size.

Moissanite MM to Carat Equivalent: Quick Chart

Approx. Diamond-Equivalent Size Round Oval Pear Cushion
About 0.5 ct DEW 5.0 mm 6 × 4 mm 6 × 4 mm 4.5–5.0 mm
About 1 ct DEW 6.5 mm 7 × 5 mm 8 × 5 mm About 6 mm
About 1.5 ct DEW 7.5 mm 8 × 6 mm About 9 × 6 mm About 7 mm
About 2 ct DEW 8.0 mm About 9 × 7 mm About 10 × 7 mm About 7.5 mm
About 2.5 ct DEW 8.5 mm Varies by ratio Varies by ratio About 8 mm
About 3 ct DEW About 9 mm About 10 × 8 mm Often larger than 10 × 7 mm 8+ mm depending on cut
These are approximate visual / DEW equivalents, not guaranteed actual weights. Cut depth, facet style and length-to-width ratio can shift the comparison. Always use the seller's exact millimetre dimensions as the primary size reference.

MM, Carat and DEW: What Is the Difference?

Millimetres (mm)

Millimetres describe physical dimensions. For a round stone, the key measurement is diameter. For elongated shapes, you normally see length × width, such as 8 × 6 mm.

Carat

Carat is weight. One carat equals 0.2 grams. It does not directly tell you how wide a gemstone looks.

DEW — Diamond Equivalent Weight

DEW is a comparison term used to communicate how large a moissanite looks relative to a diamond of similar dimensions.

It is not the actual weight of the moissanite.

Charles & Colvard gives a useful example: a 6.5 mm round diamond is about 1.0 ct, while a 6.5 mm round moissanite weighs less even though both have the same diameter. That is why moissanite is commonly sold by millimetres and/or diamond-equivalent weight.

Round Moissanite Size Chart

Round is the easiest shape to compare because diameter is the main face-up measurement.

Round Diameter Approx. DEW Visual Size
4.0 mm About 0.25 ct Small accent / delicate solitaire
5.0 mm About 0.50 ct Petite centre stone
6.0 mm About 0.75 ct Medium everyday centre
6.5 mm About 1.00 ct Classic one-carat look
7.0 mm About 1.25 ct Noticeably larger than 1 ct
7.5 mm About 1.5–1.55 ct Bold everyday centre
8.0 mm About 2.00 ct Large centre stone
8.5 mm About 2.5 ct Strong statement look
9.0 mm About 2.75–3.0 ct Very large centre stone

Oval Moissanite Size Chart

Oval stones need two measurements because length-to-width ratio changes the shape and the visual spread.

Oval Dimensions Approx. DEW Typical Look
6 × 4 mm About 0.5 ct Petite oval
7 × 5 mm About 1.0 ct Compact one-carat look
8 × 6 mm About 1.5 ct Popular elongated centre
9 × 7 mm About 2.0–2.1 ct Large centre stone
10 × 8 mm About 3 ct Statement oval

An elongated oval can look larger on the finger than a round stone with similar diamond-equivalent weight because it covers more finger length.

Pear Moissanite Size Chart

Pear cuts combine a rounded end with a pointed tip. Their apparent size changes noticeably with length-to-width ratio.

Pear Dimensions Approx. DEW Typical Look
6 × 4 mm About 0.4–0.5 ct Petite pear
7 × 5 mm About 0.7–0.75 ct Small centre stone
8 × 5 mm About 0.9–1.0 ct One-carat visual range
9 × 6 mm About 1.4–1.5 ct Elongated medium-large look
10 × 7 mm About 2.0–2.1 ct Large pear centre

Charles & Colvard product specifications illustrate why millimetres matter: pear moissanite in 8 × 5 mm and 10 × 7 mm sizes can be marketed around roughly 1 ct and 2.1 ct DEW respectively, while the stones' actual mass is a separate measurement.

Cushion Moissanite Size Chart

Cushion cuts vary more than round cuts because some are square, some elongated, and facet patterns differ between brands.

Cushion Dimensions Approx. DEW Typical Look
4.5–5.0 mm About 0.5–0.7 ct Petite cushion
6.0 mm About 1.1 ct Classic medium centre
6.5 mm About 1.3 ct Medium-large centre
7.0 mm About 1.5–1.7 ct Large everyday look
7.5 mm About 2.0 ct Bold centre stone
8.0 mm About 2.4 ct Statement cushion

As a real-world reference, Charles & Colvard lists a 6 mm cushion around 1.1 ct DEW, a 7.5 mm cushion around 2 ct DEW and an 8 mm cushion around 2.4 ct DEW.

Why Two “1 Carat” Moissanite Stones Can Look Different

There are several reasons:

  • One seller may mean actual carat weight while another means DEW.
  • The shapes may be different. A long oval spreads differently from a round stone.
  • Cut depth varies. More weight can be hidden below the girdle rather than visible from the top.
  • Length-to-width ratio changes face-up area.
  • Brands round their DEW values differently.

This is why the most useful buying question is not “How many carats?” but “What are the exact millimetre dimensions?”

Actual Moissanite Weight vs Diamond Equivalent Weight

Term What It Actually Tells You
Actual moissanite carat weight The physical mass of the moissanite stone
DEW / D.E.W. Approximate diamond weight that would have a similar visible size
Millimetres The stone's real physical dimensions

Never assume a certificate or listing that says “1 ct” automatically means actual stone weight. Look for words such as DEW, diamond equivalent, carat equivalent, stone dimensions or actual weight.

Which Measurement Matters Most When Buying Online?

For appearance, millimetres are the most useful measurement.

If you are deciding whether a ring will look delicate or dramatic, the face-up dimensions tell you more than the carat label. For an oval, pear or elongated cushion, always read both length and width.

How Shape Changes the Visual Size

Round

Compact and symmetrical. Diameter gives a very clear idea of visual size.

Oval

Usually covers more finger length than a round stone of similar DEW, so it can look larger.

Pear

The pointed end creates extra length, giving the stone a more elongated face-up presence.

Cushion

Can look compact or elongated depending on ratio and corner shape. Do not judge cushion size from one number unless it is truly square.

What Is Length-to-Width Ratio?

Length-to-width ratio is simply length divided by width.

For example:

  • An 8 × 6 mm oval has a ratio of about 1.33.
  • A 9 × 6 mm pear has a ratio of 1.50.
  • An 8 × 8 mm cushion has a ratio of 1.00 and is square.

Higher ratios create a more elongated look. Two stones can have similar DEW yet appear very different because one is long and narrow while the other is wider.

What Size Moissanite Looks Like a 1 Carat Diamond?

Useful starting points are:

  • Round: about 6.5 mm
  • Oval: about 7 × 5 mm, although some brands use larger dimensions for a 1 ct visual target
  • Pear: around 8 × 5 mm
  • Cushion: around 6 mm

These are visual equivalents, not a rule that every stone with those measurements has the same actual weight.

What Size Moissanite Looks Like a 2 Carat Diamond?

Approximate starting points:

  • Round: about 8 mm
  • Oval: around 9 × 7 mm
  • Pear: around 10 × 7 mm
  • Cushion: around 7.5 mm

Does a Bigger Moissanite Always Look Better?

No. Size changes the balance of the entire piece.

Consider:

  • Finger width
  • Band width
  • Setting height
  • Halo or side stones
  • Daily activities
  • Whether you prefer subtle or statement jewellery

A 6.5 mm round solitaire can look substantial on one hand and delicate on another. Use millimetres to compare stones, then consider the complete setting.

Moissanite Size for Earrings and Pendants

The same dimensions can feel much larger in earrings or pendants than in a ring because there is less surrounding visual information.

For stud earrings, remember that quoted total carat equivalent may represent both earrings combined. A pair sold as 1 ct total DEW may contain roughly 0.5 ct DEW per ear.

For pendants, millimetres are again the easiest way to judge how noticeable the centre stone will look from normal viewing distance.

Real Moissanite Examples at Jewelry Towns

Round Moissanite Pendant Necklace with size options at Jewelry Towns

Round Moissanite Pendant Necklace

Available in 0.5 ct, 1.0 ct and 1.5 ct listed options

Shop Now
Solitaire Moissanite Ring in 925 Sterling Silver at Jewelry Towns

Solitaire Moissanite Ring

1.5 ct listed centre · 925 sterling silver

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Square Halo Moissanite Jewellery Set in 925 Sterling Silver at Jewelry Towns

Square Halo Moissanite Jewellery Set

Ring, necklace, studs or full set

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Shop: Rings · Necklaces · Earrings · Bracelets

Frequently Asked Questions

Is moissanite measured in carats or millimetres?

It can be described both ways, but millimetres are the clearest measurement of physical size. Many sellers also provide DEW, or diamond equivalent weight, to communicate how large the stone looks compared with a diamond.

What does DEW mean for moissanite?

DEW means Diamond Equivalent Weight. It estimates the diamond carat weight that would have similar visible dimensions. It is not necessarily the actual weight of the moissanite.

What size is a 1 carat moissanite in millimetres?

For a round stone, the classic 1 ct DEW reference is about 6.5 mm. Fancy shapes use different length and width measurements, so there is no single millimetre size for every 1 ct-equivalent moissanite.

What size is a 2 carat round moissanite?

About 8 mm diameter is a common 2 ct diamond-equivalent reference for round moissanite.

Why does moissanite weigh less than diamond at the same size?

Moissanite and diamond have different densities. Two stones can share the same face-up dimensions while having different actual masses.

Does oval moissanite look bigger than round?

An oval often looks larger or more elongated on the finger because it covers more vertical finger area. Compare exact length × width dimensions rather than DEW alone.

Should I choose moissanite by carat or millimetres?

Use millimetres first when judging appearance. Carat or DEW can help with comparison, but the exact dimensions tell you what size the stone physically is.

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