While diamonds are the highest grade on the Mohs scale, moissanite is almost as hard and is a great option for everyday wear. Moissanite also refracts light differently than a diamond and has more dispersion, producing a greater display of spectral colors. Moissanite is a silicon carbide-based gemstone found in a meteor crater in 1893; nowadays, most of the stones we sell are created in laboratories. To find out more about this lovely stone, continue reading:
Price
Moissanite is an extra sparkly stone that’s gaining popularity for its resemblance to diamonds, durability and affordability. While naturally-occurring moissanite is rare, almost all the moissanite used in jewelry today is lab created. However, moissanite doesn’t receive a clarity grade from an impartial gemological lab. Instead, the clarity of moissanite is typically determined by the seller or manufacturer and is reported in the gemstone’s description. Moissanites are available in various shapes and cuts, just like diamonds. The fact that a badly cut moissanite might appear alluring must be considered, though. Well-cut moissanite will reflect the maximum light, maximizing the sparkle and fire this stone is known for. As the most expensive brand of moissanite on the market, forever one moissanite is well known.
As with diamonds, the color of moissanite will also impact its value. Moissanites are typically graded from D-K. D-H is colorless, while K has a slight hue to it. The value of the stone will increase with grade. Another factor to remember when purchasing moissanite is that it is not found in traditional jewelry stores. Instead, you’re more likely to find a retailer specializing in this gemstone online. When shopping for moissanite, it is important to find a trustworthy retailer that offers high-quality stones at an affordable price.
Brilliance
It is challenging to distinguish between a moissanite and a diamond due to their similar refractive indices and almost colorless appearance. It also means that if you’re shopping for jewelry that looks like diamond but is more affordable, it’s a good idea to consider moissanite. In most situations, it can easily pass for a diamond and is considerably less expensive than a real one. Regarding color, moissanite is closer to diamond than older “colorless” synthetics such as Forever One. However, moissanite is still not completely colorless, and most jewelers only use a D to F GIA diamond color grade for their lab-created moissanite.
Moissanite shines brilliantly because it has more fire and sparkle than a diamond. While that can make it look unnatural compared to a traditional diamond, it also gives it its unique sparkle. It is the main reason some people prefer diamonds over moissanite, especially if they are looking for a stone with a natural look or are worried about ethical issues. Others might appreciate that moissanite is lab-created and can save them a lot of money without sacrificing beauty or quality.
Dispersion
Moissanite is known for its bright sparkle. The sparkle results from how light moves through and interacts with the gem. The shape of the stone and its facets contributes to the amount of light it emits and its color. Moissanite has more fire than diamonds because it reflects spectral colors that create the fiery flashes you see when moissanite is rotated in different lighting. It results from the gem’s composition and cutting design, known as dispersion. This unique property also makes it possible to spot fake moissanite by looking at them in a jeweler’s light or using a diamond tester. However, moissanite is so close to a real diamond and other popular white gemstones like sapphire; it can be confused with them for some jewelry stores.
Despite being extremely uncommon and valuable, moissanite can be difficult to differentiate from a real diamond when seen in complete darkness or using a conventional thermal probe. The gem can hold its color under these conditions and only changes when exposed to heat from a jeweler’s torch during ring repair. It returns to its original hue as soon as it cools. Because of this, many couples choose moissanite rings as an excellent substitute for diamond engagement rings.
Hardness
Moissanite is incredibly hard, measuring at 9.5 on the Mohs scale. It is harder than steel and tungsten carbide but less than a diamond. It is suitable for engagement rings and other fine jewelry since it is strong and can sustain regular use. Moissanites in nature are rare and almost always discovered inside meteorites that crash into the ground. French chemist Henri Moissan, who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, discovered moissanite for the first time in Arizona in 1893. He found tiny crystals in the crater caused by a meteorite that struck the ground.
Today, nearly all moissanite used in jewelry is lab-created. Because it’s lab-created, moissanite costs far less than a comparable diamond. Like most gemstones, moissanite can be tricky to identify as a diamond simulant. While diamond testers can help, examining the stone’s brilliance and fire is the most accurate way to tell. Moissanites have more fire than diamonds, so they flash more rainbow colors when light enters them. It isn’t as noticeable in smaller stones but will be visible in larger moissanite when presented alongside an equivalent GIA color-grade diamond.
