3 Answers
A 1ct moissanite looks slightly LARGER than a 1ct diamond because moissanite is less dense. A 6.5mm 1ct diamond is about the same visual size as a 6.5-7mm moissanite. In practice the difference is tiny but moissanite wins slightly on face-up size.
Short answer: yes, for most people it is a great choice.
I went with a 2ct equivalent moissanite for my engagement ring and I have zero regrets. For 800 dollars I got a stone that looks huge. In sunlight it honestly out-sparkles my coworker's 8k diamond.
The main tradeoff: moissanite has no resale market and some diamond purists will side-eye it. If you are buying for sparkle and size on a budget, it is unbeatable.
No, moissanite does not change color over time. The stone itself is stable silicon carbide. What DOES happen is buildup of lotion, soap, and skin oils on the surface, which makes it look dull or yellow. Clean it and it snaps back. If you bought cheap off-brand moissanite, it may have started out faint yellow, but that is not fading, that was the grade.