Gemstone Moissanite: An Astonishing Diamond Lookalike.
This is a tale of the most brilliant gem on this planet. A story of silicon carbide – more popularly known as moissanite. And surprisingly, we did not know of its existence until 1893.
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| Square Brilliant Gemstone Moissanite by Charles and Colvard Loose Stone, Very Good Cut | Gemstone Moissanite Marquis 8.0 x 4.0 mm .50 carats 57 facets | Round Gemstone Moissanite by Charles and Colvard Loose Stone, Very Good Cut |
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Dr. Ferdinand Henri Moissan was studying a meteor crater in Arizona at the time when he stumbled across these crystals. It turned out to be a remarkable discovery of an incredibly rare mineral. He mistook the crystals to be diamonds because of their unusual brilliance. Eleven years later he correctly identified the scintillating crystals to be silicon carbide.
Ringjewel 3.52 Ct Vvs1 Pear Real Moissanite Solitaire Engagement & Wedding Ring White Sky Blue Size 7
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Till the 1950s, we believed that moissanites were found only in meteorites. Then again, in 1958, silicon carbide was discovered as inclusions in kimberlite from two locations. They were the diamond mine in Yakutia, Russia & the Green River Formation in Wyoming.
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| Silver Infinity Braid Engagement Ring Set with Matching Wedding Ring with Forever Brilliant Moissanite by Charles Colvard | 2CT 14K White Gold Forever One Moissanite Engraved Engagement Ring 2.6mm Wide | 3.06 Ct Blue Green Moissanite Silver Plated Engagement Ring |
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Naturally occurring Moissanite crystals are extraordinarily rare. They are found only in upper mantle rocks and meteorites. Natural material is not sufficient enough to be used as gemstone in jewelry. Moreover, the crystals are also decidedly tiny. They are not large enough to be studded as gemstones in jewelry pieces.
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| 6.5mm Round Charles & Colvard Moissanite Wedding Ring Set,14k White Gold,Eternity Diamond Matching Band | 2 Moissanite Bridal Set,Engagement Ring White gold,Diamond wedding band,14k,6.5mm Round Cut,Gemstone Promise Ring | 2pcs Moissanite Wedding Ring Set,6.5mm Heart Shaped 14k White Gold Halo Plain Band Diamond Matching Band |
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Scientists started to think of synthesizing the mineral in research laboratories. It took an entire century of experimentation. Eventually, they found a way to concoct it synthetically by using particles of naturally occurring Moissanites as seeds. All gemstone quality Moissanite crystals available today have been created using advanced technologies in sophisticated labs. They are men-made. The proprietary thermal growth process has been patented exclusively to the house of Charles & Colvard.
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| Forever Classic 8 mm 3.80cttw White Created Moissanite14k Yellow Gold Friction Back Round 4 Prong Stud Earrings By Charles And Colvard | Large 2 Carat 6.00mm Round Moissanite Screw Back Prong Set solid 14K White Gold Stud Earrings | 3.51 ct VS2 Round Cut Solitaire Silver Plated Real Moissanite Earrings Green Stud |
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So why so much ado about a men-made gem? Let us begin with its brilliance. Brilliance is an outcome of the refractive index of a crystal. In case of Moissanite, it measures a whopping 2.691. It means that the prevailing chemical structure slows down, bends and redirects incident light very efficiently. To get a comparative idea, refractive index of diamond (itself a highly brilliant gem) is lesser at 2.42.
Forever Classic Scattered Stone Moissanite Cocktail Ring, 0.64cttw DEW by Charles & Colvard
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Furthermore, Moissanite has a dispersion of 0.104 exceeding all other gemstones. Fire, or dispersion, is a gemstone’s ability to split passing light into its constituent colors.
Consequently Moissanites display unsurpassed brilliance and fire. The gemstone is a spectacle of bedazzling fiery rainbow colors in bright light. The show is unrivaled in the entire gem kingdom. An untrained eye will not be able to distinguish between a diamond and a Moissanite lying side by side.
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| TransGems 1 Carat Lab Gemstone Moissanite Solitaire Pendant Necklace Chain 18K Yellow Gold for Women | Round Cut Moissanite Pendant 14k White Gold or 14k Yellow Gold Forever One Solitaire |
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And then there is its hardness & durability. It is second only to diamond in this sphere. Moissanite measures 9.25 on the MOHS hardness scale as against the diamond’s perfect 10. Ergo, it is a robust gemstone capable of enduring ravages of time. Highly durable, it is resistant to chipping and scratches. This makes it an awesome option for daily-wear jewelry.
Even if a formal grading system is not in place, most moissanites fall into a grading scale similar to diamonds. The four Cs viz. cut, color, clarity and carat weight are used to determine the value of Moissanites too.
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| Women’s 14k White-gold 2 ct Round Brilliant Moissanite Solitaire Engagement Ring – 8.0mm | 2.55 ct VVS1 Round Moissanite Solitaire Silver Plated Engagement Ring Great White Golden Brown Color | Women’s 14k Two-tone 1 ct Round Brilliant Moissanite Solitaire Engagement Ring |
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Gemstone Moissanite Color Attribute
The gem generally falls into the near colorless range of a corresponding diamond grade F-G-H-I. Then again, green or yellowish tinge can be detected in some stones in certain lighting conditions. The round brilliant shape is indeed the whitest most popular shape. Fancy shapes like pear show slightly greater tinge of the green or yellow body color and veer more towards I-J-K diamond grade. The body color is more discernible in larger stones. If you delight in warmer diamonds, you may appreciate the color in a warm moissanite more. The marvelous sparkle will mostly mask any color issues.
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| 2.7 Ctw Classic Channel Set Wedding Set Bridal Band & Engagement Ring With Round 2 Carat Moissanite Center | 1.7 Ctw Classic Channel Set Wedding Set Bridal Band & Engagement Ring With Radiant 1 Carat Forever One Moissanite Center | 1.7 Ctw Classic Channel Set Wedding Set Bridal Band & Engagement Ring With Asscher 1 Carat Forever One Moissanite Center |
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Charles and Colvard have now created a “Forever Brilliant” line of this gemstone. They are regarded to be up to two to three times whiter than the earlier ones. If you want a fancy shape like pear, go for the “Forever Brilliant” variety. Colorless and near colorless strains of the stone command a higher price.
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| Stud Forever One Moissanite Assymetrical Flower Earrings. | Silver Plated Round Real Moissanite Stud Earrings | Silver Plated Pear Real Moissanite Stud Earrings |
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Gemstone Moissanite Clarity Attribute:
The stones are created in the sterile environment of a lab. Hence most are eye-clean and fall in the corresponding VS1-VS2 clarity grade of diamonds. Seen under magnification however, you might notice tubular needle like inclusions which are offshoots of the crystal growth process. Make sure that the inclusions do not impinge upon the visual appeal of the gem.
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| Forever Carat US 2.55 Ct Round Cut Moissanite Engagement Ring Solid 14K White Gold Wedding Rings Sz 5 | Forever Carat US 1.90 Ct Round Cut Moissanite Engagement Ring Solid 14K White Gold Wedding Rings Sz 5 | 1.26 Carat Round Cut Moissanite Engagement Ring Real 14K White Gold Wedding Rings |
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Gemstone Moissanite Cut Attribute:
This gem is cut in proportions different to diamonds due to differing optical properties. Considerable hardness of the gemstone facilitates cutting into various attractive shapes. Nevertheless, round brilliant remains the most sought after. It is available in shapes such as pear, oval, princess, heart, cushion & marquise.
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| Forever Carat US 1.60 Ct Round Cut Moissanite Engagement Ring Real 14K White Gold Wedding Rings | Forever Carat US 2.12 Ct Princess Cut Moissanite Engagement Ring Real 14K Rose Gold Wedding Ring | Forever Carat US 2.00 Ct Round Cut Moissanite Engagement Ring Real 14K White Gold Wedding Rings |
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Gemstone Moissanite Carat Attribute:
The gemstone is endowed with a density that is lower than diamonds. They therefore weigh less. Size for size, its carat weight is 10% less than diamonds.
Here is a tabulated comparision between various properties of Diamond and Moissanite.
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DIAMOND |
MOISSANITE |
| Brilliance | Diamonds have a high refractive index measuring 2.42. This confers a high degree of brilliance to diamonds. | At 2.65, its refractive index is higher than diamond. This makes it the most brilliant gem on our planet. |
| Hardness | At 10 on Mohs scale – Diamond is the hardest mineral known to man. | A magnitude of 9.25 on Mohs scale makes it an exceptionally tough stone. In fact, it is second only to diamond in hardness. |
| Clarity | Clarity grade can range from ‘included’ to ‘very slightly included’ to completely ‘flawless’. | Most are eye-clean and fall in the corresponding VS1-VS2 (very slightly included) clarity grade of diamonds. |
| Treatments | A small percentage of gemstone quality diamonds are treated for improving clarity & color. | Though it is not usually done, a Moissanite might have been subjected to treatment to make it whiter. |
| Affordability | The price of a diamond is pretty steep. | It is much less expensive than diamond of similar carat weight. It is also less expensive than other precious stones like high quality rubies and emeralds. |
| Popularity | The diamond continues to remain the most desirable gem for most people. Not for nothing is it called a girl’s best friend. | Their resemblance to diamonds at a fraction of their cost has made them favorite of many. |
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| Forever Carat US 2.95 Ct Round Cut Moissanite Engagement Ring Solid 14K White Gold Wedding Rings Sz 7 | Forever Carat US 3.20 Ct Round Cut Moissanite Engagement Band Set Ring Solid 14K White Gold Wedding Rings | Forever Carat US 1.76 Ct Heart Shape Moissanite Engagement Ring Real 14K White Gold Wedding Rings |
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| Charles & Colvard Forever One Moissanite, Koa Wood Titanium Engagement Ring and Shadow Wedding Band | Forever Carat US 4.10 Ct Round Cut Moissanite Engagement Ring Solid 14K Real White Gold Wedding Rings |
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| Forever Brilliant Round 6.5mm Moissanite 3 Stone Engagement Ring, 2.00cttw DEW by Charles & Colvard | Forever Brilliant Round 6.5mm Moissanite Engagement Ring-size 10, 2.00cttw DEW by Charles & Colvard |
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See More Gemstones As Follows
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