Moissanite The Glitter Gem

Photo: Instagram from LaurenJewelry

Moissanite, a naturally occurring mineral in nature, was named in honor of Henri Moissan, the French chemist who discovered it in 1893. While a diamond is common, a pure carbon in nature that is heated by the Earth over billions of years; a moissanite is a combination of silicon and carbon (a/k/a silicon carbide - SiC) that is likewise heated by the Earth over billions of years to produce the rare gem. In fact, there are so few moissanites in nature that all moissanites on the market are lab created gems. (If anyone ever finds mineable silicon carbide in nature, moissanites will cost more then diamonds.)

Registering at 9.25, the gemstone is 2nd to diamonds on Moh's Scale of Hardness, making it a good choice for an engagement ring (as well as other jewelry!) since like a diamond, it is beautiful and durable. What's more, a moissanite has twice the brilliance and fire of a diamond, so it will sparkle and light up a room like no other gem! Side by side, moissanites look much like diamonds, but not exactly once you know their characteristics. A moissanite isn't an imitation diamond, but gorgeous in its own right!

What makes a moissanite especially attractive is its affordable price. At about $400 per carat (compared to $4,000 per carat for a similar diamond), the stone costs up to 90% less than a diamond.

This is partly due to the mineral's rarity in nature and the need to create it in a lab for jewelry. And just like lab created diamonds, a lab made moissanite has the same chemical makeup, hardness and optical value as its counterpart in nature. A moissanite costs less per carat than both natural and lab created diamonds because of  (1) the consistency of the produced stone; (2) demand; as well as, (3) the clever DeBeers marketing strategy of 1947 ("A diamond is forever") that lingers with us even today. Yet in reality, while diamonds are common in nature, moissanites are very rare, gorgeous and last forever too!

Photo: Wikipedia

Charles & Colvard was the 1st scientists to create "near colorless" ... and later "colorless" moissanites, which they began selling in 2015. Called Forever One, these colorless moissanites are similar to GIA-certified E color diamonds. A colorless Forever One stone costs about $600 per carat, a tad more than a near colorless one. Still a great savings for a brilliant white stone. A similar grade diamond would cost $4,000+ per carat -- rising exponentially per carat once you pass 2 carats.

Moissanites outshine diamonds because at 2.65, the stone has a higher refractive index (i.e, the way light comes into and out of a stone) than a diamond does at 2.42, with greater fire (colored light) and brilliance (white light). The unique sparkle of moissanite is especially notable in sunlight and with bigger stones.

Some people love the flashes of color, called a "rainbow," or "disco ball" effect, while others claim the greater sparkle makes the stone look "fake," when compared to a diamond. It comes down to personal taste ... and to a degree the longer popularity of diamonds. We like the familiar ... until the "new" becomes the familiar.

Moissanite is sold as a diamond alternative, an excellent gemstone choice for people who either worry about the ugly history of diamond mining, or desire a huge stone and effect on a budget.

Priced lower than diamonds by far, these gorgeous white stones can put the sparkle on your fingers, or neck without breaking the bank. In the photos above, can you tell the moissaites and diamonds apart? Watch this YouTube video for the answers to see if you are correct. And, Savvy Shoppers always shop around to get the best price!


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