Moissanite Diamond - What You Need To Know
As moissanite rapidly grows in popularity, many are mistaken in thinking moissanite is just a variation of diamond, often referring to the stone as ‘moissanite diamond’ because of the uncanny visual similarities.
In reality, moissanite is actually a real gemstone, with its own unique characteristics and benefits. From the chemical composition of the stones - a moissanite stone is silicon carbide (SiC) and a diamond is carbon (C) – to the appearance, these two stones are quite different and ‘moissanite diamonds’ don’t exist.
Moissanite was discovered in 1893 by scientist, Dr Henri Moissan Dr Moissan. He was examining rock samples from a meteor crater. At first, he mistakenly identified the gemstones as diamonds. It wasn’t until 1904 that Dr Moissan realised the rock samples were not diamonds, they were in fact silicon carbide which we now know as moissanite.
Today, naturally occurring moissanite is exceptionally rare, and therefore all moissanite on the market is lab created in controlled conditions.
From an appearance perspective, moissanites vs diamonds do look very similar, however there are some key differences. Moissanite has a higher Refractive Index, or Brilliance, which is the term generally used to describe the white light return - the foundation of a stone’s brightness and sparkle. Moissanite also has a higher fire dispersion, which is the coloured or rainbow sparkle that you can see when the stone is exposed to light.
Moissanite is also nearly as durable as diamond, measuring a 9.25 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, compared to diamond which measures at a 10, meaning moissanite is the perfect choice for your engagement ring. With moissanite, higher clarity and carat size is achievable at a much lower price point, and you have the added bonus of it being a much more ethical option too.
If you’re searching for an affordable, ethical alternative to a diamond ring, Moissanite is the perfect choice, and here at The Moissanite Company, we utilise the highest quality Moissanite paired with impeccable craftsmanship to bring your forever ring to life. Get in touch today to receive a no-obligation quote from one of our jewellery experts.
