Although often compared to a diamond for its similar appearance, there is no such thing as a moissanite diamond. In the same way that an emerald or a sapphire is different to a diamond, moissanite is a real gemstone with its own unique beauty and chemical properties. As a sparkly, affordable and responsible choice, moissanite is rapidly becoming a gemstone of choice for those who want a break in tradition, or just simply love the unique sparkle that this gemstone has to offer.
Benefits of Moissanite
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Mining Free
Moissanite is lab created with minimal environmental impact.
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Value
Moissanite is less expensive per carat than many other gemstones.
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Durability
Moissanite is a 9.25 on the Mohs scale of hardness, so it’s suitable for everyday wear.
Moissanite is Its Own Unique Gemstone
With origins literally out of this world, moissanite has a unique story of discovery. First unearthed in an Arizona meteor crater by Henry Moissan in 1893, the French scientist first assumed he’d discovered diamonds. However, he soon realised that the microscopic particles were made of silicon carbide and were an entirely new discovery – a gemstone that would share his name: Moissanite.
Natural moissanite particles are extremely rare but luckily for us, modern science allows them to be beautifully replicated in controlled laboratory environments. As a lab grown stone, this makes moissanite both an affordable option, as well as one that is responsible for the planet. Since moissanite does not require mining, you can be rest assured that your stone’s source is easily traceable and was created without the concerns associated with traditional gemstone mining.
Moissanite Has Unique Physical Properties
Although moissanite can give the illusion of a diamond appearance, it is its own unique gemstone with subtle physical differences that separate it from a diamond and other white gemstones. This includes differences in chemical makeup, hardness, clarity, colour and brilliance.
Chemical Makeup
Unlike diamonds, which are made from carbon, moissanite is made from silicon carbide. As an extraordinarily rare, naturally-occurring mineral, moissanite in today’s jewellery is grown in controlled laboratory environments. Moissanite is grown using the Physical Vapour Transport (PVT) process. This intricate method involves sublimating silicon carbide in a vacuum, transforming it into a vapour that delicately deposits onto a seed crystal. The process starts by heating silicon carbide powder in a graphite crucible at high temperatures, causing it to sublime in a vacuum. The silicon carbide vapour then moves to a cooler part of the crucible, where it settles onto a seed crystal, forming a brilliant moissanite gem.
Hardness
The hardness of a gemstone is measured using the Mohs scale, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the hardest. On this scale, moissanite measures 9.25 and is second only to diamond, which has a score of 10. As one of the hardest minerals on earth, moissanite is extremely durable and will last a lifetime of everyday wear, without ever fading or dulling in its appearance.
Clarity
As many know, diamonds are graded according to the 4 C’s: Cut, Clarity, Colour and Carat. As a lab grown stone, the cut and clarity of moissanite rarely varies. This means that moissanite stones will almost always be close to flawless in clarity, with very small imperfections or blemishes that can only be seen under magnification. At Jenifer Maison Fine Jewellery, our stones have a nearly perfect clarity grading of VVSI-2 (very very slightly included), ensuring your moissanite will always have a clear, bright sparkle. Just like the uniformity of the cut and clarity of moissanite stones, moissanite is uniformly graded as colourless (unless you opt for a coloured moissanite). Like diamonds, moissanite is a white gemstone but the difference in appearance will be seen in the way it interacts with light and its unique properties.
Brilliance and Fire
Moissanite has a higher refractive index than a diamond, meaning that when light enters a moissanite stone, it will bend more than within a diamond. This means there will be more small flashes of white light (brilliance) and greater levels of dazzling colour (fire). When exposed to sunlight, a moissanite stone will sparkle brightly and may exhibit a rainbow, almost “disco-ball” effect. Compared to a diamond’s subtle blue, grey and white light pattern, moissanite’s sparkle is more colourful – often the very quality that our clients fall in love with!
As a lab grown stone, moissanite will cost significantly less than a mined diamond, and is even more affordable than lab grown diamonds. Mined diamonds vary hugely in quality and are priced according to their cut, clarity, colour and carat. Moissanite, on the other hand, has very little variation in cut, clarity or colour and is priced according to size. This means that with moissanite, you can have the size and style that you always dreamed of without breaking the bank. Although there are certainly visual and physical similarities between moissanite and diamonds, there is no such thing as a moissanite diamond. As its own beautiful gemstone, moissanite has origins that are literally out of this world and its own stunning fire that outshines that of a diamond. With moissanite, you will never have to sacrifice quality for price and can rest assured knowing your moissanite stone will retain its sparkle for a lifetime.
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Moissanite FAQs
Is moissanite worth buying?
Moissanite is a brilliant choice for those seeking an alternative to a lab diamond engagement ring. It offers exceptional clarity and is hand-selected and inspected by our expert quality control team to ensure the best quality, just like our lab grown diamond collections.
Can moissanite pass diamond tester?
Yes. Due to its similar properties to diamonds (both lab grown and mined or natural diamond rings), moissanite can pass a diamond tester. However, our specialised equipment can distinguish between moissanite and diamonds, ensuring you know exactly what you're purchasing.
Is moissanite the best fake diamond?
Moissanite is not a fake diamond but a gemstone that offers stunning lab grown beauty. It's perfect for those looking for the same level of sparkle and clarity found in diamonds, but at a more accessible price point.
Do moissanite rings look fake?
No, moissanite rings are crafted to exhibit a sparkle that, to the naked eye, is akin to that of diamonds. They offer timeless beauty and are an aesthetically identical choice for those who admire the appearance of mined diamonds.
Does moissanite lose its sparkle?
Moissanite retains its sparkle indefinitely, much like our lab grown and rings. Its clarity and carat weight remain intact, ensuring a lifetime of brilliance.
Can you shower with a moissanite ring?
Yes, you can shower with a moissanite ring. However, the more you come in contact with soaps, dirt and chemicals, the faster oils and dirt can build up on the surface of your ring.This can be easily cleaned off but to ensure a longer-lasting sparkle, we recommend avoiding washing dishes or doing heavy housework whilst wearing your ring.
Can you scratch moissanite?
No, you can't scratch moissanite. As it is one of the most durable substances on earth, moissanite is highly resistant to scratching or breaking. With a hardness rating of 9.25 – 9.5, moissanite is harder than all other gemstones besides diamonds, and can only be scratched by a diamond or another moissanite stone – which is unlikely to occur!
Why should I purchase a moissanite engagement ring from Jenifer Maison Fine Jewelry?
Have you been dreaming of the perfect engagement ring but aren’t sure where to start? Look no further than a unique Jenifer Maison moissanite ring. We have a wide selection of moissanite rings with many characteristics, so you can find your dream ring to match your style. The durability of moissanite means you can create the perfect ring that will have the sparkle, fire, and brilliance that lasts forever. Our expert jewellers combine our stunning gems in any shape with beautiful ring settings to capture your vision impeccably. Our free ring sizer lets you know your ring size before scheduling a virtual appointment . As a world-leading brand, you can rest assured that you don't have to wait any longer for the modern engagement ring you've been looking for.
We sell a variety of moissanite gems, including oval cut, round brilliant, and other classic shapes and new styles in settings such as pavé and solitaire. Shopping with Jenifer Maison Fine Jewelry for yourself or your partner means you can be assured that you will get the dream ring in style, guaranteed.