What is Moissanite?

Moissanite is a gemstone composed of silicon carbide (SiC) and is known for its exceptional brilliance, fire, and durability. It was first discovered in 1893 by French chemist Henri Moissan, who found microscopic particles of the gem in a meteorite crater in Arizona. Initially mistaken for diamonds, these crystals were later identified as silicon carbide.

Due to its rarity in nature, moissanite available in the market today is primarily lab-created. Through a process of synthesis, scientists have been able to recreate and produce moissanite gemstones, making them more widely accessible.

Moissanite is often used in jewelry as an alternative to diamonds. It has a similar appearance to diamonds but differs in terms of composition and properties. While diamonds are composed of carbon, moissanite is composed of silicon and carbon. Despite these differences, moissanite has gained popularity for its impressive sparkle and affordability compared to diamonds.

Durability

Moissanite is extremely durable, tough and second only to diamond in its resistance to scratching and abrasion. It scores a 9.25 on the Mohs Hardness Scale.

Brilliance

The most dominant feature of moissanite is its brilliance. When we refer to the brilliance of moissanite, we’re also referring to its sparkle. Known for its high refractive index of 2.65, moissanite is quantifiably the most brilliant gemstone on earth!

Fire (Dispersion)

One of the most distinguishable elements of a moissanite gemstone is its fire or dispersion. Dispersion is caused as light radiates through the gemstone on different wavelengths—each wavelength produces beautiful flashes of color throughout the gemstone.

Moissanite Vs Diamond

Moissanite, composed of silicon carbide, offers remarkable brilliance and affordability, ranking at 9.25 on the Mohs scale. In contrast, diamonds, composed of pure carbon, are renowned for their exceptional brilliance, hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), and rarity, making them a symbol of luxury.

Property	Moissanite	Diamond
Composition	Silicon carbide (SiC)	Carbon (C)
Brilliance & Fire	High, often more colorful	Exceptionally high
Hardness (Mohs scale)	9.25 (second only to diamond)	10 (the hardest)
Cost	Affordable	Expensive
Color Grading	Near colorless	Colorless
Clarity	Typically eye-clean	Generally high clarity
Origin	Lab-created and rare natural	Mined from the Earth
Ethical & Environmental	Ethical and eco-friendly	Environmental concerns
Durability	Very durable	Extremely durable
Rarity	Relatively abundant	Rarest natural gemstone

Moissanite Vs Cubic Zirconia

Moissanite, with its silicon carbide composition and high brilliance, stands as an affordable yet stunning choice for jewelry. Cubic Zirconia (CZ), made of zirconium dioxide, shares its brilliance but is more affordable, with a Mohs hardness typically ranging from 8 to 8.5, making it a popular and cost-effective alternative.

FUN FACT

Moissanites are much more heat resistant compared to most of the other gemstones in the world. It can withstand upto 2000 degrees celsius!

Property	Moissanite	Diamond
Composition	Silicon carbide (SiC)	Zirconium dioxide (ZrO2)
Brilliance & Fire	High, often more colorful	High
Hardness (Mohs scale)	9.25 (second only to diamond)	8-8.5
Cost	Affordable	Cheap
Color Grading	Near colorless	Can have color
Clarity	Typically eye-clean	Varies
Origin	Lab-created and rare natural	Lab-created
Ethical & Environmental	Ethical and eco-friendly	Few environmental concerns
Durability	Very durable	Durable
Rarity	Relatively abundant	Common

Should I buy moissanite?

Whether you should buy moissanite depends on your preferences and budget. Moissanite offers an affordable and ethical alternative to diamonds without compromising on beauty and durability. It's a great choice for engagement rings, jewelry, and gifts.