Moissanite is fast becoming a leading option for engagement rings as tastes shift towards a preference for gemstones being more sustainable, and affordable. Chemically, moissanite is known as silicon carbide. It was first thought to be diamonds by French scientist Henri Moissan, which should say something about their beauty compared to the pricey stones, making them a wonderful cost-effective alternative. Here are all the things you should know before buying a moissanite engagement ring.
What Is Moissanite?
Moissanite is a mineral composed of silicon carbide. Often referred to as the gemstone from the stars, it was discovered in 1893 inside of a meteorite in Canyon Diablo, Arizona, by Nobel Prize-winning chemist Henri Moissan. Initially mistakenly identifying his discovery as diamonds, it wasn’t until 1904 that Moissan determined the crystals were, in fact, silicon carbide. This naturally occurring mineral form of what we now call moissanite was named in honor of Moissan later in his life.
In its natural form, moissanite remains very rare. It wasn’t until 1958 that geologists found moissanite outside of meteorites, discovering it in the Earth’s upper mantle near Wyoming.
Today, moissanite is exclusively grown in laboratories as an alternative to diamonds. Created in a controlled environment with advanced technology, it is easily traceable and requires no mining. This means moissanite has a smaller carbon footprint and lessened environmental impact than a naturally mined gem.
Increasingly popular as an alternative to diamonds, moissanite is now widely used in jewelry, especially as the center stone of engagement rings.
Is a Moissanite a Diamond?
No, a moissanite is not a diamond. Professionals grow them in laboratories because they are visually similar to diamonds, but compositionally they’re quite different. Diamonds are composed of carbon and moissanites are composed of silicon carbide.
While the untrained eye may visually perceive a moissanite as similar to a diamond, it has a higher refractive index — meaning it produces more rainbow ‘fire’ than a diamond when light hits the stone’s surface. Diamond is also physically harder than moissanite, which is a 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale compared to a diamond’s rating of 10.
While they both feature dispersion, scintillation, and are both considered to be good thermal conductors, moissanites and diamonds are otherwise distinct.
Moissanite VS Lab Grown Diamond
Moissanite and lab-grown diamonds are both popular alternatives to natural diamonds, each with its own set of characteristics.
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Moissanite
Composition: Composed of silicon carbide (SiC) and is a distinct mineral with its own unique properties. It has a different crystal structure than diamonds.
Hardness: Very hard, ranking 9.25 on the Mohs scale of hardness. It is durable and suitable for everyday wear.
Brilliance & Sparkle: Exhibits a high degree of brilliance and fire, often displaying more colorful flashes of light than diamonds.
Color: Generally exhibits more rainbow-like flashes of color, especially under certain lighting conditions.
Cost: More affordable than both natural and lab-grown diamonds, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious buyers.
Origin: Discovered in meteorites, but moissanite used in jewelry is typically created in a lab.
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Lab Grown Diamond
Composition: Composed of carbon atoms arranged in a crystal lattice structure, identical to natural diamonds.
Hardness: Shares the same hardness as natural diamonds, ranking 10 on the Mohs scale, making it the hardest known material.
Brilliance & Sparkle: Displays a similar level of brilliance and sparkle to natural diamonds, characterized by white light reflections.
Color: Can be produced with a range of colors, but high-quality diamonds are typically colorless or near-colorless.
Cost: Usually more affordable than natural diamonds but can still vary in price based on factors such as size, quality, and cut.
Origin: Created in controlled laboratory conditions, replicating the natural diamond formation process.
How to Tell a Moissanite From a Diamond
If you are not trained in the differences between diamond and moissanite, telling the difference can be difficult. The best way to tell the difference is to line up two similarly sized gemstones, one moissanite, and one diamond, and compare them next to one another.
Moissanite vs. Diamond Side-by-Side
The distinct sparkle of a diamond is a unique combination of reflected light, the colors that refract through it, and its scintillation. While moissanite exhibits light reflection, color refraction, and scintillation, it also features more than two times the amount of 'fire' than diamonds, meaning it shows more intense flashes of rainbow light than diamonds. This 'disco ball' effect, which is more prominent in moissanite with larger carat weights, is the best way to quickly distinguish between moissanite and diamond.
To officially confirm the difference between a moissanite and a diamond, take it to a trained professional. By examining the ‘doubling’ of opposing facet junctions with a loupe, they can validate if your stone is a moissanite or a diamond.
Benefits of Moissanite
Tips on Selecting a Moissanite
While shopping for a moissanite is not unlike shopping for any other gemstone, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Unlike diamonds that are graded by independent institutions on cut, color, clarity, and carat, moissanites are reviewed only for cut, color, and clarity. Then, at Brilliant Earth, they’re categorized by their color and rated as Premium or Super Premium. A Premium moissanite is similar to a G-H color diamond, while a Super Premium moissanite is in the D-E-F range. As the technology to create a moissanite is so advanced, there is very little variation in their quality.
Lastly, it’s most important to consider if moissanite is the right gemstone for you. To come to a conclusion, think about its difference from diamonds (its fire, scintillation, price, and durability) to determine if it’s your ideal fit.
Learn More About Moissanite
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Does moissanite scratch easily?
While moissanite is a very hard gemstone and resistant to scratching, it can still develop surface scratches over time with regular wear. However, it maintains its durability and brilliance well.
Does moissanite have color variation?
Moissanite can exhibit color variations, and some stones may have a slight yellow or greenish hue. However, high-quality moissanite is often near-colorless, and the color variations are generally less noticeable compared to diamonds.
Can moissanite be distinguished from diamonds by the naked eye?
While moissanite closely resembles diamonds, especially to the naked eye, there are subtle differences that a trained gemologist or specialized testing equipment can identify. For most consumers, these differences are not easily noticeable without close examination.
How does moissanite contribute to ethical and environmental considerations?
Moissanite is considered a more ethical and environmentally friendly choice compared to natural diamonds. It is lab-created, reducing the environmental impact associated with mining, and it is not associated with the ethical concerns related to some diamond mining practices.
Does moissanite change color over time?
Moissanite is known for maintaining its color stability over time. Unlike some natural diamonds that may exhibit color changes due to impurities or treatments, moissanite's color remains consistent.
Are there different cuts and shapes available for moissanite?
Moissanite is available in various cuts and shapes, similar to diamonds. Popular cuts include round, princess, cushion, and emerald, among others. The wide range of options allows for customization based on individual style preferences.
Does moissanite come with certifications?
Moissanite may come with certificates from gemological laboratories that provide information about its cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Certifications can add value and assurance to the quality of the moissanite.