There are different gems around the world today. Among them is moissanite, a gemstone that has become very popular over the last decade. According to MoissaniteCo.com, moissanite is a great alternative to diamond. That is why they call it the diamond of diamonds because of its unique properties. However, it is important to note that it is not a diamond despite their close resemblance.
Moissanite is among the hardest natural substances on earth. It is mainly composed of silicon carbide. Most importantly, the hardness of moissanite makes it ideal for jewelry applications. Moissanite is a brilliant gemstone that comes in a variety of colors. However, the most common color of moissanite is white.
Its high durability makes it perfect for everyday wear. This gemstone is available in many different shapes including round, square, heart-shaped, pear shape, cushion cut, princess cut, emerald cut, or oval. The price of moissanite varies depending on the quality. A higher quality moissanite will cost more than a lower quality one.
So, what Is Moissanite?
A moissanite stone is an extremely hard material with incredible strength. Dr. Henri Moissan who named it after himself discovered it in 1879. Over the years, this gemstone became widely used in jewelry making due to its amazing qualities.
After research around this gem, researchers found its main composition to be Silicon Carbide (SiC). Since establishing the formula, it became possible for manufacturers to create moissanite stones with various colors and cuts. That is why you can find various sizes and shapes of moissanite in the market today.
Following various comparisons including diamond, moissanite is the hardest naturally occurring mineral on Earth. It is much harder than any type of diamond. In addition, it is more durable than diamond. Due to its hardness, moissanite is able to withstand extreme temperatures without losing its brilliance. It can even survive underwater.
Jewelers have used Moissanite in jewelry making for some time now. They use it to make rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, pendants, and watches. Due to its exceptional characteristics, people consider moissanite as the “diamond of diamonds.” Its comparison to diamond is due to their striking resemblance and closely matching qualities.
How Does Moissanite Differ From Diamond?
If you see them for the first time, it is not easy to different a Moissanite from a diamond. However, they are different and with enough research and knowledge, you can tell their differences. Here is what to look for in order to differentiate moissanite from diamonds:
- Physical structure and composition. Diamonds mainly comprise carbon atoms while moissanite gems mainly have silicon carbide in them. These two gems differ when it comes to their physical structure. Diamonds are crystalline solids whereas moissanite are amorphous solids. Both have atoms arranged in hexagonal crystal lattices.
- Color. The color of moissanite ranges from light yellow to white. In contrast, diamonds are usually white but also come in other shades such as yellow or brown.
- Cutting style. Diamonds are cut into specific shapes like pear, marquise, cushion, radiant, emerald, etc. Manufacturers mostly cut moissanite stones into round, oval, rectangular, and square shapes.
- Carat weight. People measure diamonds in carats, which is equal to 200 milligrams. On the contrary, they weigh moissanite gems in grams, which is equal to 1/10th of a carat. Most importantly, moissanite gems are lighter than diamonds making them a perfect choice for most jewelry items.
- Durability. Moissanite is much stronger than diamonds. It is resistant to scratching, breaking, chipping, and cracking. In fact, moissanite is so strong that it can take up to 500 times the force of gravity. While diamonds are only able to withstand about 100 times the force of gravity, moissanite can easily handle over 1000 times the force of gravity!
- Cost. Moissanite is less expensive than diamonds. This makes it a great option for those looking to buy affordable jewelry.
- Hardness. Moissanite is significantly harder than diamonds. Its hardness is 10 points higher than that of diamond in Mohs scale.
Final Thoughts
Moissanite is one of the best choices for engagement rings. It is an excellent investment because it lasts longer than diamonds. It is also available at reasonable prices. With that, it is obvious to see why moissanite is becoming popular among consumers.