Moissanites are the diamond substitute of today's world. Bright, durable, affordable, and incredible, moissanite offers enormous possibilities to budgetary jewelry enthusiasts. If you have been searching for an engagement ring, pair of earrings, or other fine jewelry, fitting into moissanite might be the most suitable choice.
This blog post will uncover everything you need to know about moissanites, their distinctive properties, and their cost. Hold your money safe and consume it carefully on a gemstone that flashes as brilliantly!
What Are Moissanites?
Natural moissanite is a colorless, bright stone from a celestial source. It has a highly diamond-like appearance and is regularly used in engagement rings. However, natural moissanite occurs rarely. The vast majority of the moissanite used in jewelry today is lab-grown.
These stones are chemically and physically the same as in nature, so moissanite can be natural or artificial. It is, in fact, an incredible and one of the most beautiful stones.
History of Moissanites
Dr. Henri Moissan of France found moissanite in 1893. Before leading to Canyon Diablo, Arizona, he examined for industrial crystals and found tiny stones that he thought were diamonds in a meteor crater. Around that time, Edward Acheson began working with artificial diamonds.
In 1890, he unintentionally made silicon carbide, or "carborundum." This led to the "Acheson Process." By 1904, Moissan discovered that his samplings were natural silicon carbide. A year later, Tiffany gemologist George Kunz named the stone "moissanite" in recognition of Moissan.
In the 1950s, geologists published the first non-meteorite sources of moissanite in Wyoming, USA, and Yakutia, Russia. Cree Research, Inc. of North Carolina began commercial production of synthetic moissanite in 1987. C3, Inc., now known as Charles & Colvard, was the first to market artificial moissanite gems in 1995.
Moissanite Specifications & Characteristics
Moissanite is made of silicon carbide (SiC). It's used in gemstones, ceramics, and sandpaper. Trade names for moissanite and other silicon carbide types are often called "carborundum." Moissanite comes in various forms referred to as polymorphs.
Polymorphs consist of the same chemical compound but possess different crystal structures. Few of these forms are suitable for gemstones, making natural moissanite relatively rare. It has a hardness of 9.25 to 9.5 on the Mohs scale, making it the second hardest gemstone in the world!
| Property | Specification |
| Mohs Hardness | 9.25–9.5 |
| Crystal Structure | Hexagonal |
| Luster | Adamantine to metallic |
| Transparency | Transparent |
| Refractive Index | 2.59–2.69 |
| Density | 3.21–3.22 |
| Cleavage | Indistinct on [0001] |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Streak | Greenish-gray |
| Luminescence | Weak to moderate fluorescence; orange in LW-UV, rare in SW-UV, Thermoluminescent (heat-induced) |
| Pleochroism | Weak, light blue to very light blue or indigo |
Moissanite Gemstone Properties
Moissanite is graded much like diamonds, using the four Cs: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. The Gemological Institute of America developed this system. However, GIA only started delivering full-color and transparency reports for lab-grown stones as early as 2020. Here's a swift look at the top grades:
- Color: D (Colorless)
- Clarity: FL (Flawless)
- Cut: Excellent
- Carat Weight: Varies and can be tricky.
Moissanite Color Scale
Moissanite colors are graded from the most valuable to the least valuable:
- D, E, F: Completely colorless and the highest quality.
- G, H, I: Nearly colorless with a hint of tint.
- J, K: Tinted, usually with yellow tones.
The best moissanite color in terms of value is D-grade, synthetic, or natural. Natural moissanites are rarely colorless. Most have yellow or brown tones (J or K grades). This makes natural D-color moissanite incredibly rare and valuable.
Clarity of Moissanite
Clarity measures how many inclusions, or internal flaws, a gem has. Here’s the clarity scale from the best to the least desirable:
- FL to IF: Flawless or Internally Flawless, nearly perfect.
- VVS1 to VVS2: Very slightly included, tiny inclusions that are not visible with 10x magnification.
- VS1-VS2: Very slightly included, with minor inclusions hardly visible under magnification.
- SI1 to SI2: Slightly included flaws on the sides or center that may be visible to the naked eye.
- I1, I2, I3: Included are obvious flaws that are easy to spot under magnification.
Moissanite doesn’t get cloudy over time unless it’s dirty. However, some moissanites naturally appear cloudy due to clusters of inclusions.
Cuts for Moissanite
Most jewelers use faceted cuts for moissanite. The stone’s durability allows for many cuts, from standard to fancy to master cuts. The quality of the cut relies on how polished it is and how it glows. The grades run from Excellent to Poor, and that’s why Moissanite is the girl's new best friend.
The most typical cuts are sharp and degree cuts in different shapes. Moissanite’s inclusions can affect the cut. Step cuts show better clarity, while brilliant cuts are known for their sparkle. Mixed cuts, like cushion or princess cuts, offer a combination of both.
Carat Weight of Moissanite
Carat weight grading can be tricky. Different cuts can make the stone look smaller. Moissanites over 1 carat may appear greener or yellower. Smaller moissanites won’t show much brilliance, though they appear more transparent. To strike a balance, choose a 1-carat moissanite. However, some sellers may measure by size (in mm) instead of carat weight.
Moissanite Price & Value
Moissanites are substantially more cheap than diamonds. They are more affordable since they are less well-known. A near-transparent 1-carat round-cut moissanite stone generally costs $500 to $700. Earrings are more reasonable, with retailers' prices varying from $60 to $200 per pair.
Ring prices vary; a 2-carat moissanite ring usually costs $1,500, while a 3-carat ring might cost up to $4,000. Colored moissanite stones are even less expensive. Their wholesale costs vary between $15 and $70 for stones weighing roughly 1 carat. Rings with colored moissanite stones weigh 0.5 to 1 carat and cost less than $200. The retail cost ranges typically from $40 to $80.
Moissanite Care and Maintenance
Moissanite is a rough gem, but it's effortless to care for. Although it will retain its color and purity, cleaning will restore most of its shine. Cleaning Moissanite:
- In a bowl, mix warm water and soft fluid detergent.
- Dip a soft-bristled device in the mixture.
- Carefully brush the moissanite.
- Rinse it simply with lukewarm water, ensuring that everything is soaked.
- Drying can be done with a hairdryer, a rice vessel, or a microfiber cloth.
If you wear your moissanite in the shower, clean it more often. Soap and shower products can leave a film over time. Swimming doesn’t harm moissanite unless it hits something hard, like the pool wall. However, chlorine can affect the metal setting of your jewelry.
Moissanite Jewelry Options at Beverly Diamonds
- Engagement Rings: Moissanites are a dazzling, long-lasting replacement for diamonds. The moissanite engagement rings sparkle like diamonds but at a considerably cheaper cost. For example, an emerald moissanite engagement ring is sleek without surpassing the price tag.
- Earrings and Necklaces: Moissanite earrings and necklaces are brilliant and reasonable for every day and traditional events. A collection of round moissanite stud earrings will brightly reflect light on a formal event, while a necklace can deliver a pop of brightness to an informal look.
- Bracelets and Bands: Moissanites add shine to bracelets and eternity bands. For example, a round moissanite tennis bracelet can complement your jewelry collection, mixing elegance and affordability.
FAQs
Are Moissanites Right for You?
Moissanite could be the ideal gem for beauty, affordability, and ethics. Brilliant and long-lasting in their light, fine jewelry pieces, moissanite is the ultimate choice for a classic engagement ring or a solo statement piece that makes a woman stand out while serving your values and budget.
How do you pick a good moissanite?
You want a gaze-clean moissanite to ensure that no flaws or defects are visible to the naked eye; as a result, your moissanite engagement ring will be perfect and sparkle beautifully.
What to avoid with moissanite?
The chemicals in everyday things such as hairspray, perfume, and cleaning supplies can harm your moissanite gemstone and dull the metal setting. Remove your moissanite before using these items.
Conclusion
Moissanite is an excellent replacement for traditional gemstones. It has tremendous brilliance, good durability, and is reasonably priced. Whether used for an engagement ring or everyday jewelry, moissanite has many advantages as it blends value and beauty, sometimes rivaling high-priced diamonds.
Thus, everything you need to know about moissanites, including their history and properties, is why they are becoming the most popular jewelry items. Moissanite could be your perfect style and budget fit among all the options you explore. So make an informed decision and let this stunning gem shine in your collection!
