Moissanite

Moissanite is a naturally occurring mineral, silicon carbide, that is found in limited quantities in the earth. While moissanite exists in nature, it is so incredibly rare that it must be created in a lab to produce pieces large enough to cut into gemstones. When cut and faceted, moissanite is by definition, the world’s most brilliant gem.

In 1893, Nobel Prize-winning French scientist Dr Henri Moissan discovered minute quantities of a new mineral, natural Silicon Carbide. Found in an ancient meteorite found in the Diablo Canyon in Arizona, the mineral was later named "Moissanite" in honour of Dr Moissan, however, this mineral's supply was too limited for jewellery use. 

More than a century later the process for producing large single crystals of moissanite was developed. In 1995 a master diamond cutter realised the mineral's potential, which would make the world's most beautiful stone for jewellery when cut properly. 

The creation of Moissanite is a very sophisticated process.  It is Silicon (Si) and Carbide (C) make moissanite (SiC). With high-grade powders made by German company, Wacker Chemie AG. It requires a high-temperature and low-pressure crystal furnace with an excellent vacuum conduction chamber. A SiC seed crystal wafer is put on the top of the chamber, with the Si and C powders then put in the crucible at the bottom of the chamber. 

The crucible will be heated up to 3100 centigrade by a coil heater. Under this temperature,  the power is vaporized and diffused to the top of the chamber. When the vapour meets the SiC seed wafer, it will deposit on it, following the natural laws of crystallization, similar to crystal sugar. The speed of this crystallization is very slow, usually 0.1mm per hour. 

Generally,  one week is needed to produce a crystal boule. During this process, the temperature is maintained at 2200-3100 centigrade and a good vacuum condition is required. The boule is then cut by the jeweller. 

Moissanite brilliance refers to its sparkle! The chemical structure of moissanite allows it to slow down, bend, and redirect light better than any other gemstone. This incredible sparkle measures between 2.65 and 2.69 on the refractive index, making moissanite the world’s most brilliant gem.

Moissanite gems are known for their fire or dispersion, which is defined as a gemstone’s ability to split light to create a rainbow-like effect. Moissanite has more fire than any other gemstone - including diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald!

Moissanite is a unique gemstone with its own chemical, physical and optical properties. While it is often compared to a diamond, moissanite has distinct characteristics that make it very different. Moissanite has more fire and brilliance than a diamond at a fraction of the cost. The quality and value of moissanite is often better than that of mined diamonds.

Both precious gemstones are used in jewellery and both are quite comparable in terms of looks, characteristics, and brilliance. With this in mind, there is no doubt that the moissanite vs diamond comparison has often become a debatable subject. 

Diamond is the hardest mineral substance ever known to occur naturally on Earth. Most natural diamonds are formed over a very long period of time (at least 1 billion years) in the high-pressure and high-temperature environment of the Earth's mantle. This happens about 100 miles below the planet's surface. Diamonds are gradually brought to Earth's surface through periodical volcanic eruptions by magma.

On the other hand, Moissanite is a mineral that does not naturally occur on Earth. It is a mineral substance that belongs to outer space and is constantly brought to Earth through meteorites and asteroids that have been bombarding the Earth's surface for billions of years. Moissanite's hardness ranks only second to diamond and its availability on Earth is scarce and very limited. 

However, scientists have found a cost-effective way to synthetically create moissanite in the lab, thereby lowering the cost significantly. Although moissanite has constantly been published as "fake diamonds", it is in no way fake. It is just a different type of mineral that is similar to diamond in many ways. Both diamond and moissanite are colourless minerals and because moissanite has a very high dispersion value compared to diamond, moissanite is no doubt the winner. Moissanite has more fire!

When it comes to choosing a gemstone for your jewelry, there are many options available. But why should you choose moissanite? Here are some of the benefits of choosing moissanite over other gems:

1. It is much less expensive than diamond. Moissanite is a fraction of the price of diamond, but it still has the same sparkle and beauty. You can get the same beauty and brilliance of a diamond without having to pay the same price.

2. It is more durable than diamond. Moissanite is much more durable than diamond and is resistant to scratches and chips. This means that your moissanite jewelry will last much longer than diamond jewelry and won't require the same level of care and maintenance.

3. It is ethically sourced. Moissanite is created in a lab, which means that it is not mined from the earth. This is an important factor for those who are concerned about the environmental impact of mining for gems and diamonds.

4. It is more brilliant than diamond. Moissanite has a higher refractive index than diamond, which means that it has more sparkle and brilliance. This makes it a great choice for those who are looking for an eye-catching piece of jewelry.

5. It is available in a variety of colors. Moissanite is available in a range of colors, including white, yellow, and pink. This means that you can find a moissanite gemstone that matches your style and taste.

6. It is a modern gemstone. Moissanite is a relatively new gemstone, as it was only discovered in 1893. This makes it a unique and modern choice for those who want something a bit different than diamond.

7. It is hypoallergenic. Moissanite is a hypoallergenic gemstone, which means that it is less likely to cause an allergic reaction when it comes into contact with your skin. This is an important factor for those who have allergies or sensitive skin.

Conclusion

Moissanite is a beautiful and affordable diamond alternative that has many benefits. It is much less expensive than diamond and is more durable and brilliant than diamond. It is ethically sourced, available in a variety of colors, and is hypoallergenic. All of these factors make it an attractive choice for those who are looking for a unique and modern piece of jewelry.