We often get the question, “Is moissanite a diamond?” The answer is no. Moissanite is a rare, naturally occurring mineral also known as silicon carbide. Named after Nobel Prize-winning chemist Dr. Henri Moissan, moissanite was first discovered in 1893 at the site of a massive meteorite strike in Arizona.
Moissanite is a naturally occurring crystal made from silicon carbide that is used as an inexpensive alternative in jewelry and engagement rings. Simply put — moissanite diamonds are fake diamonds.
Moissanite is a rare, naturally occurring mineral also known as silicon carbide, which was first discovered by the Nobel Prize-winning chemist, Dr. Henri Moissan, at the site of a massive meteorite strike in Arizona. This intriguing new stone was named “moissanite” in his honor.
The truth is that moissanite is not a synthetic diamond or the often dreaded cubic zirconia, it's a totally separate gemstone that is naturally occurring, though extremely rare and found in meteorites. Because of its beauty and durability, it's one of the few gemstones that's incredibly well suited to fine jewelry.
Does Moissanite have resale value? Yes! High end Forever One Moissanite rings have a healthy resale market. “We have seen a significant increase in both the amount of listings of moissanite rings as well as the amount of sales.” says Mara Opperman of IDoNowIDont.com, the engagement ring resale marketplace.
Can a jeweler identify moissanite? Certainly, a skilled jeweler or gemologist ought to be able to recognize moissanite. Even though moissanite and diamond can appear to be quite similar, a skilled professional can recognize a few variances.
They're Way Too Shiny. Moissanite has a crazy amount of sparkle. Its refractive index is higher than a natural diamond's, producing more shine and a special kind of fiery rainbow brilliance. While some people go crazy for these sparkles, others turn up their noses at them.
Unlike faux diamonds and other gemstones, moissanite is also an effective conductor of heat. For this reason, when using a diamond tester that detects thermal conductivity, moissanite will pass as a diamond.
Yes, some diamond simulants can pass a diamond tester.
For example, moissanite, a man made gem, may pass as a diamond on a standard tester pen. This is because moissanite also has very high thermal conductivity! Other diamond simulants, such as CZ, will not pass the tester.
Moissanite is cheaper than diamonds because it is created in a lab. Rather than going through countless hands and endless red tape, it is created on-demand in the exact quantity, quality, and location that the company requests. This is a tremendous cost-savings for jewellery shops and brands.
We've got good news for you: moissanite does not get cloudy! However, chemical buildup and dirt can start to dull its shine; same as with diamonds and other precious stones. If you keep your moissanite clean, it'll be crystal clear forever.
Moissanite is harder and more durable than cubic zirconia, so it is less likely to chip and crack when in a ring setting. Choose cubic zirconia if you are shopping for earrings or a pendant, as this type of jewelry is less likely to be damaged. People are less likely to get a close-up look at earrings or pendants.
Moissanite is a manmade stone that looks like diamond. Its significance is that it tests as 'diamond' on standard diamond testers. Therefore, if you have a low-cost diamond-only, you will also need a Moissanite tester (though it's far simpler to get a 'Multi' tester that tests for both).
Hardness. At a 10 on the Mohs scale, diamond is well-known as the hardest material. Nothing but a diamond can scratch another diamond. With a hardness of 9.25, moissanite is the second-hardest material used a gemstone.
Moissanite is very durable, with a hardness of 9.25 on the Mohs scale, making it resistant to scratches and chipping. Lab diamonds are the most durable, so if you are likely to knock or scratch your gemstone, lab diamonds will hold up best over time!
Using a jeweler's loupe for magnification, moissanite can be identified by the doubling of junction facets. In layman's terms, facets are flat surfaces cut into gemstones in order to best reflect light, and facet junctions are where these surfaces meet.
Most people cannot tell the difference between moissanite and diamonds. The GIA has even stated that moissanite is “much closer to diamond in overall appearance and heft than any previous diamond imitation.”
Moissanite has a similar resale value to diamonds
Purchasing a moissanite engagement ring comes with much lower risk than purchasing a diamond ring. For starters, the initial cost of buying a moissanite engagement ring is significantly lower than a diamond engagement ring.
It is copper in the metal that turns your finger green. There is no copper in Moissanite. Most engagement ring settings are made of white gold, yellow gold, platinum, or palladium. Usually, these metals will not turn your finger green.
Moissanite also has the most brilliance of any gem in the world. Brilliance is measured by the amount of light reflected back at your eye. In other words, moissanite is measurably more beautiful than diamonds. In addition to its surface toughness, moissanite can also withstand much higher temperatures than diamonds.
Moissanite disperses light very well and has higher light refraction than Diamond and will appear more brilliant. Additionally, Moissanite is less likely to attract grease or dirt over time than a Diamond due to its crystalline structure which should help keep the 'sparkle' longer between cleanings.
Most people cannot readily differentiate between a moissanite and a diamond with the naked eye. Moissanite is near-colorless and has a similar refractive index compared to diamond. However, a gemologist can tell the difference between the stones with a loupe by observing the refraction patterns.
Moissanite is relatively popular and sales of moissanite jewelry are in the millions. However, compared to cubic zirconium which looks just as good, it's much more expensive. Also pressuring moissanite sales are synthetic Diamonds that look exactly like natural Diamonds and are just as hard.
The most obvious difference between moissanite and diamonds is their brilliance, with moissanite possessing more brilliance than a diamond. “It has more fire and brilliance than any other gemstone, meaning it has more sparkle,” reveals O'Connell.
As one of the hardest substances on earth, it is the perfect option for your engagement ring stone. Highly scratch-resistant and sparkly, moissanite stones will never tarnish or become cloudy – and we can guarantee this with a lifetime warranty!