Luxury is evolving, and so are the women who wear it. In Monaco, where sparkle is a social currency and elegance a daily standard, a new stone is taking centre stage—moissanite. Ethically made, endlessly brilliant, and refreshingly smart, moissanite is redefining what it means to shine in the Principality.

For decades, diamonds have reigned supreme in jewellery boxes and engagement rings across Monaco. But times—and values—are changing. The new generation of women, whether at the helm of businesses or hosting at black-tie galas, are questioning the old rules of luxury. And increasingly, they’re choosing brilliance with a conscience.

Enter moissanite: a lab-grown gemstone with more fire than a diamond, fewer environmental consequences, and a price tag that reflects intelligence rather than excess. Unlike cubic zirconia or synthetic stand-ins, Moissanite Extra Quality is a stone of its own class — technically superior in sparkle, almost identical in hardness, and virtually impossible to distinguish from a diamond with the naked eye.

In the words of Anna Khainak, founder of Boutique Eco Diamant, Monaco’s first moissanite-focused fine jewellery house: “It’s very difficult to identify a moissanite stone without a lab test. Even a gemologist with 30 years of experience once complimented my ‘diamond’. I told her it was moissanite, and she was impressed.”

Monaco’s new gemstone for women who know what they want

The women of Monaco are no strangers to jewellery — they wear it to work, to dinner, to red carpets, and charity balls. But with so many events, expectations, and outfit changes, traditional diamond jewellery simply doesn’t fit every need. As Anna puts it, “Even the most successful women in Monaco don’t want to spend €200,000 on new jewellery every month. My pieces offer that wow factor without the excess.”

Moissanite Extra Quality offers freedom. It allows women to own large, statement pieces that turn heads and capture light, without compromising ethics or practicality. It’s not a step down—it’s a step forward. Whether worn to the Rose Ball or Sunday brunch at Club La Vigie, Moissanite Extra Quality delivers the same glamour without the hidden cost.

And for the men buying jewellery for the women in their lives, moissanite is no longer a “compromise”. It’s a sign of thoughtfulness—an understanding of her values, her style, and her intelligence. It says: I see your power, and I honour it with something just as strong.

Smart, sustainable, and spectacular

Scientifically speaking, Moissanite Extra Quality has a higher refractive index than diamond—2.65 compared to 2.42—which means it reflects more light and delivers more of the rainbow sparkle often associated with luxury. It’s also extremely hard, rated 9.25 on the Mohs scale, making it ideal for everyday wear.

What sets Moissanite Extra Quality apart is the high level of scrutiny each stone must pass before it earns the designation. Unlike standard moissanite, which varies widely in clarity, cut, and brilliance, Moissanite Extra Qualityundergoes a meticulous selection process to ensure only the most visually flawless and optically brilliant stones are chosen. Not every moissanite can meet these strict criteria, which is why this grade is considered rare and more valuable. While standard moissanite is already a remarkable gem, Moissanite Extra Quality elevates it to a new level of refinement, making it especially sought-after among discerning buyers in the fine jewellery world.

Its history is just as compelling. Moissanite was first discovered in 1893 by Nobel Prize–winning chemist Henri Moissan, who found shimmering crystals inside a meteor crater in Arizona. Initially, he believed he had found diamonds, but later learned they were something even rarer — silicon carbide, a gem of celestial origin. Because of its extraordinary brilliance and durability, scientists eventually learned how to grow moissanite in laboratories, making it available in sizes and qualities nature could never provide. Its cosmic birth, its initial confusion with diamond, and its transformation into one of the most luxurious gemstones give moissanite a uniquely romantic identity. This story of “stardust turned jewel” also inspires part of the brand’s visual narrative and cinematic imagery.

That’s where Boutique Eco Diamant comes in. Based in the French Riviera, the boutique offers large-stone jewellery — crafted in silver for added sustainability — that caters specifically to the lifestyles of Riviera women. “After spending time in Monaco, I realised there was a need for jewellery with very large stones,” says Anna. “Each occasion here demands something different. Women want to shine, but they also want to feel smart about their choices.”

For clients in Monaco and the French Riviera, Anna also offers personal consultations, bringing selected pieces directly to them to try on in the comfort of their own home.

The end of the diamond illusion?

In the high jewellery world, not all diamonds are created equal, and not all of them hold value. As Anna explains, “Only investment-grade diamonds—those starting at 4 carats with perfect clarity—actually retain value. And you can’t even wear them. They need to stay in a safe or a bank. If you wear them, they lose value.”

Meanwhile, one to two carat diamonds—the kind most consumers are sold — have become commodities, traded cheaply in global markets. Their mystique is fading. And yet, the allure of sparkle hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s simply shifting to smarter alternatives.

For Monaco women, Moissanite Extra Quality offers a new kind of luxury — one that’s not about legacy marketing or outdated ideals, but about self-expression, responsibility, and the joy of owning something beautiful.

A new symbol for a new era

Jewellery has always been a language — of love, of status, of identity. With moissanite, that language is being rewritten by women who know their worth. Women who want the shine, but not the sacrifice. Women who want their jewellery to say more than “I have”. They want it to say, “I choose”.

As Anna says, “Luxury is being reshaped. It’s about the woman. The goal is to shine. And moissanite lets her do exactly that.”

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Main photo: Anna Khainak, Founder Boutique Eco Diamant. All photos courtesy Boutique Eco Diamant