Moissanite History and Facts
First of all, what is moissanite?
Moissanite is also known as silicon carbide. In nature, silicon carbide is created over millennia by a combination of extreme heat and pressure. Researchers re-create those conditions in a controlled, profoundly accelerated process which produces durable, super-hard crystals with a minimum of ecological impact…and absolutely no mining. In research laboratories, scientists perfected the innovative process that creates silicon carbide crystals, with such purity that it rivals any earthly gemstone for fire and brilliance. These gems are more durable than diamond, emerald, ruby or even sapphire.
Secondly what moissanite Do We Offer:
Charles and Colvard "Forever Classic" is faint near colourless J-K range.
These are always supplied with a certification of authenticity and a limited lifetime warranty.
Charles & Colvard "Forever One"™, in the colourless D-E-F range
These are always supplied with a certification of authenticity and a limited lifetime warranty.
Moissanite "Truly Pure" moissanite is in the near colourless G-H range.
These are always supplied with a certification of authenticity and a limited lifetime warranty.
Moissanite "Perfectly Pure" is in the Colourless D-F Range
These are always supplied with a certification of authenticity and a limited lifetime warranty. However a full Birmingham Assay office Certification is supplied which includes a full gem stone report that is uniquely numbered. This number is also engraved on the girdle of the stone. This is only supplied for specific stone sizes as per the chart below:
CUSHIONS: 4.5mm and over EMERALDS: 6x4mm and over HEARTS: 5.0mm and over MARQUISES: 8x4mm and over OVALS: 6x4mm and over PEARS: 6x4mm and over ROUNDS: 5.0mm and over SQUARE: 4.5mm and over TRILLIONS: 5.0mm and over
Please see "What Do You Receive" detailed in the bottom menu, if you wish to see any images of these certificates and reports.
How did moissanite get its name?
Natural silicon carbide is incredibly rare on Earth; in fact, it first gained fame when very tiny particles were discovered by the Nobel Prize-winning French chemist Dr. Henri Moissan, at the site of a massive meteorite strike in Arizona USA. This intriguing new stone was named Moissanite, in his honour and Henri Moissan spent the rest of his life attempting to re-create this rare mineral, which is among the hardest materials on Earth.
Is moissanite natural or man-made?
Moissanite does occur in nature; however, all crystals are extremely small and very scarce. Today, moissanite is grown through a proprietary and thermal growth process, it is then fashioned into beautiful gems.
Is moissanite a brand of diamond or a simulated diamond?
No. Moissanite is not a brand or simulated diamond, either scientifically or chemically. Moissanite is a unique, colourless and near-colourless gem with its own set of chemical properties, and that exhibits more fire and brilliance than any other gemstone.
How do you create moissanite?
A thermal growing process is used to create single-crystal raw moissanite gems. The process is lengthy, complicated, and expensive, which limits the output (it takes 2-3 months for the creation of a single gem). This manufacturing process and moissanite’s use as a gem currently make it one of the leading ethical sources for gemstones.
In creating moissanite, what steps are taken to ensure the product is of the highest quality?
Years of development have led to a rigorous process to produce created moissanite, which follows exacting specifications and very high standards of quality control. The Certificate of Authenticity certifies that every gem is an original product manufactured in meticulously controlled facilities by highly skilled specialists. Post production, all created moissanite undergoes stringent testing for quality and purity, along with full grading, before being released for sale.
Are moissanite gems hand-cut or machine cut?
Because hand-cutting is the only real way to release the brilliance that intensifies a gem’s fire, each Moissanite gemstone is hand-cut by master gem cutters.
Is moissanite an ideal cut stone?
Carefully and precisely hand-faceted, each created Moissanite gemstone is cut according to the exact angles and proportions specific to moissanite to maximize its brilliance and enhance its incredible fire. While ideal cut diamonds reflect hearts & arrows, moissanite stones are cut ideally to reflect more light than any ideal cut diamond.
How is moissanite graded for clarity?
The grading facility is managed by a graduate and certified gemmologist. Each gem is studied by a trained gem examiner using a 10x jeweller’s loupe for any inclusions that may affect moissanite’s optical performance
Brilliance
What property of moissanite makes it sparkle with such exceptional brilliance?
The most significant optical property affecting a gemstone’s brilliance, or sparkle, is the Refractive Index, or RI. The RI of moissanite ranges from 2.65 to 2.69, meaning it displays more brilliance than diamond (with an RI of 2.42) or any other popular gemstone.
Will the brilliance of moissanite ever fade?
No. All our stones are certified for authenticity and uniquely numbered to allow the buyer to register their purchase, which guarantees that every Moissanite gemstone will maintain its brilliance and fire for its lifetime.
Fire (Dispersion)
What gives moissanite its fire?
A gemstone’s fire is determined by a quality called dispersion. Dispersion refers to the prism effect that occurs when pure white light enters a non-opaque object, breaks into spectral (rainbow) colours, and reflects back to the viewer. Moissanite’s dispersion is 0.104 and has 2.4 times the fire of diamond (0.044), and much more dispersion than ruby (0.018), sapphire (0.018), and emerald (0.014).
Do other gemstones have more fire than Moissanite?
No, Moissanite’s fire exceeds that of all popular gemstones, including diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald. Fire can be measured scientifically; with a dispersion of 0.104, moissanite has 2.4 times the fire of diamond. No other gemstone or jewel compares to Moissanite regarding fire.
Colour & Clarity
Will moissanite fade or change colour over time?
No. There are no likely situations in which the colour of moissanite will be permanently changed. Moissanite does undergo a temporary colour change when exposed to extreme heat (for example, from a jeweller’s torch during jewellery repair), but with proper bench techniques there will be no lasting damage, and the gem will return to its normal colour once it cools.
Is moissanite graded on the GIA diamond colour grading scale?
Charles & Colvard currently have two grades of moissanite available both "Forever One"™, the first is a colourless D-E-F range and second is a near-colourless G–H–I range. Please note all our "Forever One" stones are the D-E-F colourless.
The Charles & Colvard "Forever Classic" is no longer in production, although we do have some available, on certain products within our store and this grade occupies, the faint and near colourless J–K range
We also offer a "Truly Pure" moissanite and this occupies the near colourless G-H range, with the "Perfectly Pure" being D-F Colourless.
All our stones carry a certificate of authenticity and a limited lifetime warranty.
Does moissanite have inclusions?
Yes. Moissanite has needle-like inclusions that can be seen under magnification; however, they are not visible to the naked eye, and do not affect the clarity of the stone. It’s worth noting that nearly every gem has some sort of inclusion. They are unique characteristics which occur in the formation of the crystalline structure.
Hardness (Resistance to Scratching) & Toughness (Resistance to Breaking)
Is moissanite resistant to scratching?
Yes. Moissanite is durable, tough, and extremely resistant to scratching and abrasion. With a hardness of 9.25, moissanite is harder than all other gemstones except diamond.
Does moissanite break easily?
No. Moissanite is one of the toughest known gemstones. Studies in high pressure research have shown that moissanite is highly resistant to breaking and chipping.
Is moissanite heat resistant?
Yes. Moissanite exhibits more heat resistance than many other gemstones, including diamond. Tests prove that at 2000ºF (higher than the equivalent intensity of a house fire) moissanite gems remain intact and as brilliant as the day they were created. This heat tolerance makes moissanite unlikely to suffer damage during jewellery repair.
Identifying Moissanite
How can moissanite be distinguished from other colourless gemstones?
There are five (5) methods:
1. Use a tester specifically designed to distinguish moissanite from diamond.
2. Determine if doubling of facet junctions is visible through magnification.
3. Use a jeweller’s loupe to examine the girdle of the stone. Only Forever One and Perfectly Pure moissanite stones are engraved on the girdle for easy identification.
4. Examine for needle-like inclusions, typically perpendicular to the table facet, which are visible in moissanite under 10x loupe magnification.
5. Examine for specific refractive and gravity indices.
Is it true that moissanite can test positive as diamond using some conventional equipment?
Yes. The physical properties of created moissanite are very similar to those of diamond, and moissanite will test positive as diamond using a thermal diamond tester.
Are fancy cuts available?
Yes. Moissanite is available in various shapes and dozens of sizes. The most popular cut continues to be the round brilliant cut, but fancy cuts such as cushion, emerald, pear, heart, marquise, baguette, oval, radiant, triangle, and square brilliant are available as well.
Why is moissanite sold by millimetre rather than by carat weight?
The carat is the traditional unit of measurement for a diamond’s weight. Moissanite is not measured in carats because it weighs approximately ten percent less than diamond. For example, a 6.5mm round diamond would weigh 1.0 ct, while a 6.5mm round moissanite would weigh only 0.88 ct. The two stones would be the same size – 6.5mm in diameter. All stones for sale are listed with their size in mm and/or the diamond equivalent weight (DEW) in carats.
Moissanite Repairs & Care
How should I care for my moissanite jewellery?
You may clean moissanite the same way you would diamond or any other fine gemstone. As with any fine jewellery item, an ultrasonic cleaner can be used; however, be gentle with your valuable treasures – do not simply toss all your jewellery in at once, as this could lead to chipping. You can also clean your moissanite jewellery using a commercial (non-acid based) jewellery cleaner, or with mild soap and water using a soft toothbrush.
Can moissanite withstand repairs and sizing?
Yes. Moissanite is an extremely stable material. It is durable, tough, and highly resistant to scratching, abrasion, breaking, and chipping. Its high heat tolerance makes moissanite very unlikely to experience damage during jewellery repair.
Can moissanite gemstones be re-set into new jewellery?
Yes. Re-setting your moissanite gemstone into a new piece of jewellery can be done by an experienced jeweller. Jewellery designers and manufacturers create their designer jewellery collections featuring created Moissanite using techniques very similar to those practiced by bench jewellers.