Today, moissanite jewelry is everywhere. However, not everyone knows about the jewelry's origins. We have moissanite stud earrings, necklaces and engagement rings as part of the modern moissanite jewelry collection. There is no doubt that moissanite is among the most precious stones you will ever find in the market today. Many jewelry dealers stock moissanite products for their quality and price.
So, what exactly are moissanite? Moissanites are first-generation lab-created gemstones. Initially, Dr Henri Moissan discovered moissanite in 1893 from a meteorite. It was later discovered to be silicon carbide, a substance with a somewhat striking resemblance to diamond. However, moissanite is not diamond. Again, you can grow it in the laboratory.
The most common method of producing moissanite today is through the Kroll process which involves extracting silicon from sand and then using super-heated electric arcs to vaporize (or “atomize”) carbon-bearing materials into silicon carbide. Manufacturers then cool this material and grind it into a powder. After that, they press it into an octahedron or other desired shape, usually with diamond-coated tools.
Moissanite Jewelry Qualities and Facts
The modern jewelry market is full of moissanite jewelry. Here is important information to know about moissanite and its allied jewelry products.
1. Moissanite is not Diamond
Many people disguise moissanite as a diamond. However, they are not the same gems despite their close resemblance. For that reason, you should endeavour to learn the differences to get the right stone for your jewelry.
2. Fire and Brilliance
Moissanites are more brilliant than diamonds while holding their transparency. This will make your jewellery look more special than any diamond jewellery out there. This is so because it has better characteristics, qualities and looks.
Faceted moissanite has more brilliance than a diamond with a similar cut grade due to its higher refractive index. However, when viewed under controlled lighting and at 10x magnification, an experienced grader can distinguish it from other gems.
3. Durability and Reliability
On grounds of hardness, moissanite is 4 times harder than a typical precious gemstone, such as sapphire or ruby. It has 9.25 on the Mohs scale of hardness while diamond has 10 on the Mohs scale. Therefore, moissanite is more scratch-resistant than diamond.
4. Moissanite comes in different colors
Moissanite jewels are available in various colors. Some people prefer colored gemstones to colorless ones, so lab-grown moissanite jewels are perfect for them.
5. The density of Moissanite vs Diamond
The density of moissanite is less than that of a diamond. This means it can appear larger than a diamond of the same carat weight. Additionally, it makes a perfect choice for a lightweight jewelry option.
6. Heat Resistance of Moissanite vs Diamond
Moissanite has a higher heat resistance than diamond. Therefore, it makes a perfect choice for setting in yellow and rose gold and platinum as well as white gold. However, do not expose moissanite to temperatures over 800 degrees F (425 degrees C) as the heat may cause thermal damage.
7. Making of Moissanite
It is not easy to find naturally occurring moissanite. Usually, it is typically the by-product of mining for other ores. However, manufactures create it synthetically in a laboratory. Therefore, this has addressed the scarcity problem.
The majority of Moissanite on the market today is laboratory-created. However, it does come from natural resources mixed with other minerals in some cases. The materials required for its creation are mined according to the same standards applied to gems, which are fashioned into jewellery.
Since most moissanite is lab-grown, it is an ethical product. This is unlike diamond extraction that involves land destruction.
8. Affordability of Moissanites
Lab-created moissanite jewels have a very low price tag. Since the scarcity issue is no longer there due to lab-grown solutions, moissanite is in good supply. As a result, prices are relatively lower when compared to diamond products.
Try Moissanite Jewelry Today!
The benefits of lab-grown moissanite jewels do not end there. You get equal brilliance, but at a fraction of the price compared to natural gems! There is no doubt that moissanite is a great alternative to diamond jewelry. However, you must learn the difference to get value for money. That way, you will not buy moissanite thinking it is diamond and vice versa.
