Unlocking the Secrets of Moissanite Diamonds

Moissanite Diamonds: A Brilliant and Ethical Alternative to Natural Diamonds

The world of gems is constantly changing and what has really caught up in recent years is moissanite diamonds.

An outstanding alternative to natural diamonds, moissanite provides top-notch value, brilliance, and ethical appeal.

In this definitive guide we will be exploring the universe of moissanite diamonds where we will be covering their origin, characteristics, benefits and uses.

Come along as we explore the brilliance and beauty of moissanite diamonds and learn why they have won the hearts of jewelry enthusiasts around the world.

Moissanite is a unique gemstone that has become a top choice as a natural diamond alternative.

It is made of silicon carbide and was first introduced to the world by French chemist Henri Moissan in 1893 which he had discovered in an Arizona meteorite crater.

Scientists had first thought it to be diamond because of its beautiful brilliance and fire.

Moissanite occurs naturally in very small amounts which makes it very rare.

The same superior optical properties of natural moissanite are now available through laboratory growth by technology.

Such laboratory grown moissanite have transformed the jewelry industry by giving a cheap and ethical alternative to natural diamonds.

Advantages of Moissanite

Moissanite boasts a number which makes it an attractive choice for individuals looking for a natural diamond alternative. Some of the key advantages of moissanite include:

1. Affordability: The biggest benefit of moissanite is its affordability which is relatively low compared to natural diamonds. Moissanite is a created stone, i.e., it is produced at a lower cost.

This allows people to get a larger and more noticeable stone within their budget.

2. Exceptional Brilliance and Fire: Moissanite has superior optical properties that give it exceptional brilliance and fire.

Its refractive index is higher than that of diamonds which produces an incredible play of colors.

Its brilliance and sparkle can rival or even exceed that of diamonds, and it is a very noticeable and visually stunning gemstone.

3. Durability: Moissanite is renowned for its exceptional hardness which is 9.25 on the Mohs scale. The high rating makes it extremely scratch-resistant and resistant to abrasions.

Its durability enables moissanite to resist everyday wear and tear making it an excellent choice for engagement rings and other everyday wear jewelry.

4. Found in a Wide Range of Colors: Moissanite is available in a range of colors from near colorless to fancy colors.

While near colorless moissanite has a strong similarity with a diamond, the fancy colors moissanite provide a unique and vibrant alternative.

This variety of colors allows people to select a moissanite that will complement their taste and style.

5. Ethical and Environmentally Friendly: Moissanite is a lab-grown stone, i.e., it is grown in a laboratory.

This does away with issues related to unethical mining like environmental damage and exploitation of workers.

Opting for moissanite guarantees that you are acquiring a gemstone that is ethically sourced and environmentally friendly.

6. Availability in Large Size: Moissanite is easily available in large carat sizes unlike natural diamonds.

This makes it perfect for those who want a larger more dramatic stone without the expensive price of large diamond sizes.

The availability in large size also offers people more design flexibility and the option to make statement pieces of jewelry.

7. Low Maintenance: Due to its exceptional durability, moissanite does not require much care. It is resistant to chipping, cracking and discoloration which makes it a low maintenance gemstone for everyday wear.

Cleaning with soap and water on a regular basis is all that’s usually required to keep moissanite diamonds sparkling.

All of these advantages combined make moissanite a great choice for anyone looking for an affordable, brilliant and ethical gemstone alternative.

Color: Moissanite comes in a range of colorless to near colorless and fancy colors.

Considering Moissanite Diamonds Quality

While moissanite shares similarities with diamonds, it also has its own grading system that you will need to be aware of. These are the significant factors that you should examine to consider the quality of moissanite:

Moissanite color grading follows the same scale as diamonds with D being colorless and going down the scale to lower grades with more color content.

Colorless or near colorless moissanite is much sought after for its diamond-like quality.

Clarity: Moissanite is very clear since it’s lab created. It will generally have less inclusions compared to natural diamonds.

Clarity is graded the same as diamond using a range from FL (flawless) to I3 (included). Most of the moissanite is eye clean, i.e., you cannot notice inclusions to the naked eye.

Cut: A moissanite’s cut plays a large role in its brilliance and overall attractiveness. A well-cut moissanite will maximize its ability to reflect light which produces great sparkle and fire.

The ideal cut for moissanite features exact proportions and angles that are designed to increase its optical properties.

Carat Weight: Moissanite diamonds are measured in carats, the same as diamonds. The carat weight is the size of the moissanite.

Moissanite is available in various carat weights like large which are cheaper compared to large diamonds. Choose the carat weight based on your personal style and budget.

Optical Properties: Moissanite has unique optical properties which make it different from diamonds. It has high brilliance and fire due to its high refractive index.

When light enters a moissanite it is broken and reflected back in a prism of spectacular color. It is moissanite’s bending and reflecting of light that gives it its amazing beauty.

moissanite diamonds
Lab Certification: Ensure your moissanite comes from a reputable laboratory. Laboratory reports from prominent gem laboratories like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) provide moissanite grading reports.

These reports give details about the quality, color, clarity, and cut of the moissanite which is very useful in the assessment of the gemstone’s features.

It is also interesting to note that moissanite has its own grading standards which are different from those of diamonds.

One needs to take the moissanite-specific grading into consideration while assessing its quality.

By analyzing the color, clarity, cut, carat weight, optical properties and certification of a moissanite you can make an intelligent choice and pick a quality moissanite that reflects your sense of style and taste.

While buying moissanite jewelry keep in mind that the quality could vary between manufacturers so it is ideal to go to a well-known source.

Moissanite Diamonds Vs Real Diamonds

Synthetic moissanite is a created mineral that does a great job of imitating diamonds.

It’s made in a laboratory and also has the name silicon carbide.

Moissanite diamonds are molecularly the same as the ones that are mined from the earth. They simply take a few days to form instead of millions of years.

Moissanite has been on the market since the 90’s as a diamond jewelry alternative and does have its own set of loyal followers.

Moissanite is actually more refractive than natural diamonds, which provides it with more brilliance and fire than real diamonds.

This would render moissanite wedding bands more attractive than natural ones.

Why is moissanite made? Well with the outrageous price of real or natural diamonds having a cheaper alternative is possible for most people.

Not quite diamond? Alternatives to diamond rings Blown your budget? Get alternatives to diamond rings Diamond Enhancers Is an enhanced diamond better than an one that isn’t Is it even legal to enhance diamonds?

Besides the cost, the quality of the moissanite can be controlled so that you get high quality diamonds consistently.
That is a big plus because part of the reason natural diamonds are expensive is that you can’t dictate nature. You take what you get and have no say over the quality of the diamonds you receive from the ground.
Because they are so close, it is very hard to tell the difference between cut synthetic diamonds and real diamond.

Even utilizing a regular diamond tester will not suffice. The reason is it uses diamonds thermal properties to distinguish them from another stone.

Both of these stones are very good conductors of heat.
However, there is a specialty tester developed by GemTrue.

The Arete which has the ability to detect Silicon Carbide posing as a real diamond.

Popular Uses of Moissanite

Moissanite diamonds are very versatile gemstones that has made them increase in popularity for various uses. Some of the popular uses of moissanite include:

1. Engagement Rings: Moissanite diamonds are a popular choice when it comes to engagement rings due to its beauty, durability and affordability.

It gives a great alternative to diamonds that feature a wonderful sparkle and fire that matches traditional gemstones. Moissanite engagement rings are the choice of numerous couples as a cheaper option without sacrificing elegance and beauty.

2. Wedding Bands: Moissanite diamonds are also used in wedding bands for women and men. Its durability is suitable for everyday wear and its fiery brilliance adds a touch of glamour to wedding ring settings. Moissanite wedding bands can be crafted in a variety of styles like solitaire, eternity and pave settings.
3. Jewelry: Besides engagement rings and wedding bands, moissanite is also used in a wide range of jewelry pieces that also include earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and pendants.

Its lower cost makes it possible to have larger gemstone sizes which makes it a great option for statement jewelry.

Moissanite jewelry is very versatile and allows people to enjoy the beauty and brilliance of the gem in a variety of designs and settings.

4. Fashion and Cocktail Rings: Moissanite’s dazzling brilliance and vibrant colors make it a perfect choice for fashion and cocktail rings. These rings typically feature larger moissanite in eye-catching settings that create a dramatic fashion statement and add a dash of glamour to any outfit.

That moissanite is inexpensive allows people to try out different styles and designs without burning a hole in their pocket.

5. Anniversary Gifts: Moissanite diamonds also make great anniversary gifts. Whether it is a moissanite studded pendant, earrings or ring it is a considerate and beautiful way to mark important milestones in a relationship.

Moissanite diamonds’ durability and brilliance guarantee that these anniversary gifts will be treasured for years to come.

6. Custom Designs: Moissanite’s versatility extends to custom jewelry designs as well. Most people go for custom designed jewelry that includes moissanite diamonds. Custom designs allow for personalization which is the process of creating unique jewelry that expresses some tastes and style.

From ornate designs to modern and minimalist moissanite diamonds can be set in a variety of custom designs

Caring for Moissanite Diamonds

Care of moissanite is quite easy and straight forward. While moissanite is a hard gemstone it does require proper care and maintenance to keep it looking its best.

Here are some basic tips for care of moissanite:

Cleaning: Regular cleaning is key to maintain the shine and sparkle of moissanite. You may clean moissanite with mild soap and warm water.

Just put the jewelry in the soapy water for a brief moment then use a soft brush to brush away any debris or residue.

After a good rinse, pat it dry with a lint free clean cloth.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Although moissanite is a hard gem it is still prone to damage from harsh chemicals. Stay away from bleach, chlorine and other abrasive cleaning agents which can cause discoloration and damage the gem. It is best to take off moissanite jewelry before doing chemical based activities like cleaning, going to the pool in a chlorinated water, or using beauty products.

Storage: Proper storage is important to prevent moissanite from getting scratched. When not wearing your moissanite jewelry store it in a soft pouch or a separate compartment in a jewelry box to keep it away from other hard jewelry pieces.

Also avoid extreme temperature changes: While moissanite is resistant to high heat it does react to extreme temp changes which can cause thermal shock and damage the stone. Steer clear of putting the jewelry right under hot water or in extreme cold.

Professional Inspections: We recommend having your moissanite checked by a professional jeweler periodically. They can check the setting to make sure the stone is secure. Also they can look for any wear or damage and do the needed repair or maintenance.

Be aware of what you are doing: While moissanite is a hard gem it is best to take it out of jewelry when doing activities which may put it at risk of damage like heavy lifting, sports, or rough work.

By following these care tips your moissanite jewelry will stay beautiful and maintain its shine for many years.

What is The Future of Moissanite Diamonds

The future of moissanite looks very promising as it grows in the world of gemstones and jewelry. Here are some of the key points that point to a very positive future for moissanite:

1. Increasing Demand: The demand for moissanite is on the rise as more people learn of its unique features and benefits. Moissanite’s brilliance, durability and affordability make it a great alternative to traditional gemstones like diamonds. Also as the market for ethical and sustainable options in jewelry grows moissanite diamonds present a very attractive choice.
2. Tech Growth: Moissanite production has seen great growth thanks to tech advances which has brought in better quality moissanite. Manufacturers have improved the lab growth processes which has brought in more consistent quality and greater availability.

These improvements have lessened the gap between natural and lab grown gemstones making moissanite a very real option for those looking for a diamond alternative.

3. Trend Evolution: As fashion and jewelry trends change moissanite is doing very well. Its play of color very much like a diamond makes it very appealing for a wide range of jewelry pieces like engagement rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets. With a large range of cuts and settings available moissanite gives great freedom in creating very personal jewelry pieces.
4. Ethical and Sustainable: Moissanite’s ethical and sustainable appeal is very high. Unlike diamonds which are often linked to ethical issues in terms of mining practices and conflict zones moissanite is a lab grown stone which is produced in a controlled environment thus eliminating the environmental and ethical issues associated with traditional gemstone mining. This ethical appeal puts moissanite diamonds forward as a responsible choice for those looking for an alternative to mined gemstones.
5. Affordability: One of moissanite’s greatest assets is its affordability which is a big draw for a wide range of consumers which may have thought diamonds out of reach.
6. Innovation and Research: The field of moissanite research and development is very active with continuous work to improve its properties and expand its uses. Researchers and manufacturers are looking into ways to improve moissanite’s color range, clarity and durability which will play into the growth and acceptance of moissanite in the jewelry industry.

Overall the future of moissanite looks very bright as more people become aware of its beauty and what it has to offer as a gemstone for those looking for fine and ethically produced jewelry. Moissanite is to grow in popularity as it becomes a more known choice.