About Moissanite

It is likely that you have faced moissanite diamond problems before. The typical cloudy stone could surely make you lose your sleep. But how much do you know about this problem? How could solve it while keeping alive the charm of your moissanite? Here is a list of frequently asked questions on moissanite jewelry and all the answers that you have always looked for.

 

1.What is a Moissanite?

Moissanite is, silicon carbide, occurring in its rare mineral form.SiC is its chemical formula. When a meteorite had landed in Arizona in 1893, a French scientist named Henry Moissan discovered the mineral while studying rock samples from the crater.

2.Where Does Moissanite come from?

Originally, moissanite was a gemstone, that was discovered from the microscopic pieces of a meteorite that fell on earth. Henry Moissan, a French scientist, had discovered this stone in Arizona, in 1893. Natural moissanite is a rare find and hence, the stones that are used today, are all created in a laboratory. These diamond-like gemstones are eco-friendly because they do not require mining and have a low carbon footprint.

3.What Is Moissanite made of?

Natural Moissanite was originally made of silicon carbide but this mineral is a rare find.In current times, moissanite is manufactured in laboratories, using a synthetic version of the natural mineral. However, there is no compromise in the brilliance and clarity of the lab-grown stones.

4.Is Moissanite A Diamond?

No, moissanite is not a diamond. It certainly looks like one but there are distinct differences between the two stones. While diamonds are more highly priced, moissanites are more affordable gemstones to have. When it comes to the Mohs Scale of Hardness, diamonds score a perfect 10 while Moissanite comes a close second at 9.25. Moissanite is an ethically-sourced stone since there is no mining involved and it is completely lab-grown. However, apart from the lab-grown versions, naturally sourced diamonds have a huge carbon footprint. So, if you are looking for an alternative to diamonds, a moissanite is definitely your best bet.

5.Is Moissanite Fake And Tacky?

Moissanite is not a fake stone. It is not used in imitation jewelry. Natural moissanite is a beautiful gemstone that has characteristics of its own and has a very interesting source history. It does look a lot like diamonds but it would be wrong to say that moissanite is a diamond imitator. It is a real stone with a unique identity. Moissanite jewelry is far from being tacky. It has a sophistication of its own.

6.What is the best Moissanite Cut?

Although the color of a moissanite stone is it most important factor, its cut is also a deciding element in how brilliant the end product looks. The round brilliant cut of a moissanite brings out its unbeatable clarity. This cut accentuates the fiery brilliance of the stone and is, thus, preferred by most users.

7.How To Tell The Difference between Moissanite and Diamond?
There are two ways in which you can differentiate a moissanite from a diamond. However, most of us might find it difficult to tell the difference. Jewelers and gemstone experts, who have been dealing with various stones, will be able to detect the differences with ease. The three differentiating factors are color ,brilliance and price.

 Color

The larger a moissanite, the easier it is to tell the difference. In larger stones, a distinct yellowish or greenish tint is visible. This can be easily seen under certain types of lighting that professionals tend to use. Diamonds, on the other hand, are colorless and their clarity is unbeatable even in the largest of stones.

Brilliance

A moissanite reflects a lot more spectral colors in comparison to a diamond. They are fierier and more sparkling than a diamond and that is easily visible when the two stones are placed side by side. Under sunlight, a moissanite will give you, what is popularly known as, the disco ball effect.

Price

If you visit a jewelry store, you can very well spot the difference between a moissanite and a diamond without the jeweler telling you. This is by simply asking the price of the two stones that look exactly the same but are distinctly different from each other. While a moissanite will be pleasantly affordable, a diamond of the same size, would be many times the given price.

8.Does Moissanite get Cloudy?

Moissanite is a low maintenance stone that does not require frequent cleaning or brushing. Having said that, it is also true that the stone could start looking cloudy if you expose it to dirt, oils and chemicals for a long time. This is one of the basic moissanite diamond problems that you might have to face if you own one. A moissanite has the kind of brilliance that takes a while to start looking dull and by then, the build-up damage is already done. It is fairly easy to get rid of the cloudy appearance by reducing the exposure to oil and grease and washing it with a gentle and abrasion-free soapy solution.

9.Choosing Moissanite Color

While buying a moissanite, you will have three ranges of color categories to pick from. D-E-F are colorless and belong to the premium range. G-H-I are almost colorless and the range of J-K have a greenish or yellowish tint.
Colored moissanite stones are rare to find but some premium brands like Charles and Colvard and Brilliant Earth stock stunning green and blue moissanites.

10. Moissanite Carat Size

The density of moissanite stones is higher than that of diamonds. This factor makes it heavier than a diamond. Despite the same carat weight, a moissanite will be distinctly smaller than a diamond

11.Moissanite Sparkle

The refractive index of a Moissanite is a whopping 2.65 and that is what explains its fiery brilliance. When you see it under natural light, it gives you a disco ball effect, with rainbow flashes in all directions. Its sheer brilliance and sparkle are what makes this gemstone so desirable. However, this sparkle tends to look too flashy on bigger stones so it is wiser to opt for smaller moissanites.

12.Moissanite clarity

A moissanite looks absolutely clear under the naked-eye. However, there could be faint tints that form while creating the stones in a laboratory. Unless the stones are magnified, you will never be able to detect these inclusions.

13. Moissanite Durability

Moissanite ranks an impressive 9.25 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness and is the second hardest gemstone in the world, after the diamond. This makes it highly durable because it can endure scratches that are a part of everyday use. Moissanite is much more durable than other semi-precious stones like emeralds and rubies.

14.Moissanite Price and Resale Value

While we keep harping on the fact that moissanite is more affordable than diamonds, let us not assume that it is dirt cheap. A colorless moissanite could easily cost you a bomb but will still be less expensive than a diamond of the same size and clarity. On an average, a 1 carat moissanite could be priced at $600.
There is still a lot of ongoing research when it comes to the resale value of a moissanite. There is a faint idea that selling a moissanite could give you a 50% resale value of the price at which it was bought.

 

Could Moissanite Replace The Diamond As The Traditional Wedding Stone?

Honestly, this is a purely subjective matter and a debate on this will hardly ever be conclusive. However, consumers are gradually becoming more conscious, in terms of ecology as well as economy. The original craze of the diamond solitaire will be hard to replace but there seems to be a growing inclination towards the moissanite solitaire ring among the newer generations. There are a few significant reasons that could explain this gradual shift.

First, a moissanite is way more affordable than a diamond of the same size and weight. The price of a 1 carat moissanite is almost 1/10th the price of a 1 carat diamond. This makes buying an engagement ring much more economical. Given the high durability of a moissanite, they could very well be a forever stone to celebrate. A moissanite ranks 9.25 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness and is a close second to a diamond that scores a perfect 10. This adds to the popularity of a moissanite.

The second is the environmental factor. A moissanite is created in a laboratory and has much lower carbon footprint than a diamond. It is sourced ethically and is cruelty-free. There is no mining and no suffering of labor involved. Whereas, diamond mining leads to hydrocarbon emissions that are highly poisonous and could be very harmful for miners with long exposure.

The third is the look-alike factor. It is almost impossible to differentiate a moissanite from a diamond. Unless you are a diamond detector, you won’t be able to tell the difference by simply looking at it with the naked eye. There is nothing tacky or flashy about the stone. This makes the moissanite a brilliant diamond alternative and not an imitation. Moissanite jewelry is as stunning as diamond jewelry.

To sum it up, a moissanite solitaire ring definitely stands a chance to be an alternative traditional wedding jewelry. If you have been looking for a more affordable stone but are not ready to compromise on the quality, the moissanite is your best bet. There are families who wouldn’t want to opt for anything but pure diamond jewelry to pass down as wedding essentials but if cost and ecology appeal to your conscience more than tradition does, moissanite jewelry is the way to go.

Final Thoughts

Buying moissanite jewelry is the best decision you could take if you are looking for the fire and brilliance of a diamond but want to make a far more affordable investment. Considering its strength and durability, it possesses all the traits to qualify as your family heirloom jewelry. With all the options of moissanite jewelry available, you will surely be spoilt for choice. While a round brilliant cut classic moissanite is an unbelievable look-alike of a diamond, fancy colored moissanite jewelry in shades of pink, green, yellow and brown are also quite the rage. Buying a piece of wedding jewelry just got way easier, without burning a hole in your pocket.