About moissanite we know that it is a precious stone that is gaining ground in the world of jewelry, mainly as an alternative to diamonds. Above all, due to the unique look and beauty that this stone exhibits, many people choose it for their wedding and engagement rings. In fact, it is one of the gemstones that look like diamonds, so to untrained eyes, differentiating between a moissanite and a diamond is almost impossible.
However, beyond its beautiful and diamond-like appearance, there are still some incredible facts about moissanite that you may not know. So if you love gemstones as much as we do or are just considering purchasing a moissanite for your wedding or engagement ring, you won’t want to miss out. So we invite you to discover them below.
1. Moissanite came from a meteorite
It seems incredible to think that there are precious stones that come from outer space. But this stone is one of the few in the world of jewelry that does not originate on our planet. Since this gem that bears the name of the Nobel Prize winning chemist, Dr. Henri Moissan, was first discovered in 1893 in the crater of a meteorite that fell to earth.
Dr. Moissan initially thought he had discovered diamonds, but after analyzing his sample in the lab, he discovered that it was made of silicon carbide. It was thus that he realized that he had found something completely new, a mineral that he named moissanite.
2. Natural moissanite is rarer than diamonds.
In the gemstone world, rarity is the availability or perceived availability of a gem. In the case of natural moissanite we are dealing with one of the rarest gems found in nature, even rarer than diamonds.
In fact, since its discovery only natural amounts of moissanite have been discovered so small that they are not suitable for use in jewelry. Which is not surprising considering that this is due to its link to meteorites and pre-solar grains also known as stardust. So, due to its rarity, efforts were needed to synthesize the mineral for use in industry and commerce.
Fortunately, after a century of research, the process of producing moissanite in a laboratory was perfected. Therefore, the moissanite available today is created in laboratories. Although only a few companies in the world are capable of growing Moissanite crystals suitable for use as a precious gem. However, although it is artificially created it is indistinguishable from natural moissanite.
3. Moissanite is more brilliant than diamonds!
A gemstone’s ability to reflect white light is known as its brilliance. The amount of light a gem reflects is its refractive index (RI). Although moissanite resembles diamonds, in this department moissanite is superior. This is because they have a pattern of facets that allows them to reflect and refract even more light than diamonds, giving them more brilliance and more fire.
You know that lovely sparkle that makes gemstones stand out? Well, one thing you should know about moissanite is that it beats them all. It’s also less likely to attract dirt and grime than a diamond and stays brighter between cleanings. Very convenient, right?
4. Moissanite is conflict free and environmentally friendly
Unlike mined jewelry, moissanite is fully traceable and ethically produced. Because moissanite is grown in a lab, it does not involve the quasi-slave labor that the diamond industry does, nor does it fuel conflict. This makes it friendly to the environment! Therefore, many consumers looking for a more socially responsible form of fine jewelry will appreciate the guarantee that moissanite offers.
5.It is an incredible value
One would think that the most brilliant jewel in the world would also be the most expensive jewel. Fortunately, it is not! Moissanite will last a lifetime and will maintain its brilliance, fire and luster forever.
Lab-grown minerals of all kinds prove to be more affordable than their mined counterparts. They are 90% less expensive than a conflict free diamond and 70% less than a lab created diamond, but the characteristics are almost the same. Without a doubt, the lifetime of pleasure you receive when wearing a moissanite is immense compared to the investment you have made. Expect it to also increase in value over time. That’s an incredible value!
6. It has superior heat resistance.
Moissanite has superior heat resistance properties to many other gems, offering the distinct advantages of using moissanite in fine jewelry. First, Moissanite jewelry can be cast in place, allowing the jewelry designer to offer innovative, exact-fit designs. Second, Moissanite jewelry is less likely to sustain heat damage during jewelry repair operations. Finally, Moissanite jewelry can survive the extreme temperatures found in typical home fires.
7. Moissanite has two lovely nicknames.
Thanks to its celestial origin story, moissanite has two charming nicknames among jewelry enthusiasts: Stardust and Space Diamond.
8. Moissanite is incredibly durable.
One thing to know about moissanite that will make you love this gemstone is that it has excellent durability. Since it has a score of 9.25 on the Mohs scale of hardness, which makes it perfect for everyday use. Well, it is more difficult to scratch than almost all precious stones, surpassed in this line only by the diamond with a score of 10.
9. Moissanites are not color graded.
Although moissanites are labeled «colorless,» the gems can still cast a yellow or grayish hue in certain lights. Here again, the larger the moissanite, the more noticeable the color.
Undoubtedly, some of these data on moissanite allow us to understand why they are becoming more and more popular in the world of jewelry and why it is possible that in the future they will take the throne from the diamond as the queen of precious stones. And what do you think?