Moissanite is a fantastic gem that looks stunning in jewelry. It is a naturally occurring crystal discovered in minuscule amounts inside of meteorites. It has a spectacular luster and brilliance that rivals diamonds.
It is also a lab-created gemstone, which means it is sustainable and ethical as opposed to a natural earth-mined diamond. To test a moissanite, fog it up with your breath; the real thing will clear much quicker than a fake.
Color
Moissanite is a beautiful gemstone that first came to Earth in minuscule amounts from meteorites. This remarkable stone is composed of silicon and carbon, one of the hardest known elements on Earth. It also has brilliance and fire that surpasses diamonds, making it an excellent choice for a ring.
Moissanites come in many colors. The most common color is transparent, referred to as a colorless moissanite, and usually a D-E-F grade. Is moissanite a real diamond? It is the same grading standard as diamonds, and this is what most people think of when they hear “colorless moissanite.”
Most of the time, these stones are clear enough to look like diamonds from afar. However, some moissanites are yellowish or brownish. They can still be gorgeous but may look less clean and bright than a colorless diamond.
The color of a moissanite is determined by the manufacturing process used to create the gemstone. The gemstones are made under extreme conditions with superheated and pressurized gasses condensing to form the stones within sealed chambers. These gasses often contain trace elements such as nitrogen, sulfur, and boron. When these gasses interact with the carbon in the Moissanite, they leave a tint that gives the stone its unique color. Moissanite has more dispersion than a diamond, meaning it displays a broader range of colors in its fire. It makes it easier to spot in the dark or poor lighting conditions. It also doesn’t fade over time, which is a significant benefit for someone who wants to wear their jewelry in everyday situations.
Clarity
Moissanite is a stunning, affordable alternative to diamond that are becoming more popular for engagement rings and jewelry. Like all gemstones, moissanite is graded based on color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. In this guide, we’ll help you understand what each factor means so you can choose the best quality moissanite for your budget and style.
The crystals that make up moissanite are a natural phenomenon discovered in 1893 by Henri Moissan in Arizona at the site of a meteorite impact crater. While he initially thought they were diamonds, they turned out to be a type of silicon carbide called moissanite.
While lab-created moissanite is similar to diamonds in appearance and sparkle, it has a slightly different chemical composition. While diamonds are pure carbon, moissanite is both silica and carbon. It causes moissanite to sparkle differently and have a more distinctive color hue than diamonds.
Like all gems, moissanite has imperfections that are referred to as inclusions. These inclusions include needle-like inclusions, mineral crystals, and cloudy-looking spots. Fortunately, most of these are only visible under magnification and don’t affect the beauty of a stone. The exception is needles in clusters, which compromise the beauty of moissanite and aren’t desirable.
Cut
Unlike traditional mined diamonds, moissanite is stardust (so we think it’s worth celebrating). Initially found in meteorite fragments, this gem is composed of the earth-friendly silicon carbide. Today, the moissanites used in jewelry are 100% lab-created and yield top-tier qualities in each of the 4Cs – cut, color, clarity, and carat.
Moissanite is the world’s most brilliant gemstone, with more fire than a diamond, so it’s no wonder it’s one of our favorite choices for engagement ring and statement pieces. Like all natural and synthetic gemstones, moissanite can be cleaned with a non-acid-based jewelry cleaner or mild soap and water.
The first step to beautiful moissanite jewelry is selecting the ideal cut for each stone. It is because the amount of a gem determines how much light it reflects, how brightly it sparkles, and its overall aesthetics. It also affects the brilliance and fire of a gemstone.
The diamond-like beauty of moissanite is best showcased through radiant cuts such as round, oval, and pear. Likewise, cushion cuts are known for their elongating effect and are perfect for moissanite since they can appear larger carat for carat than their diamond counterpart. We even offer an array of antique cut moissanite, allowing you to experience the same beauty and sentiment that comes with a diamond engagement ring without the diamond price tag.
Price
Moissanite can be significantly cheaper than diamond and other popular gem alternatives, such as cubic zirconia. It makes moissanite a fantastic choice for anyone on a budget who wants to look and feel like they are wearing a genuine diamond.
Another reason that moissanite is so affordable is that it is incredibly durable. Because it is made of silicon, it can withstand the everyday wear and tear that comes with life. It also resists damage from household chemicals and cleaning products. Moissanite will not scratch or break easily, making it an excellent gemstone for engagement rings.
Regarding its durability, moissanite is second to diamond in its hardness rating on the Mohs scale of minerals. It is also more resistant to abrasions and impact than ruby and sapphire. This resistance to wear and tear makes moissanite an excellent option for engagement rings worn daily.
Another advantage of moissanite is that it has a higher fire and brilliance than diamond. It is because it is doubly refractive, meaning light bends twice as much when it passes through a moissanite stone. This beautiful luminescence is what gives moissanite its distinctive sparkle. Many people also believe that moissanite has mystical properties, particularly about spirituality. Some people use moissanite to help them find love or maintain a strong relationship, while others use it for energy healing and other spiritual purposes.
