Moissanite History

Moissanite is a rare gem that has almost all of the qualities of a Diamond. Moissanite was discovered  by Nobel Prize-winning French chemist, Dr. Henri Moissan. He was looking for crystalline chemical compositions ideal for efficient electrical conductivity. During the search, Dr. Moissan discovered silicon carbide a remarkable and extremely rare mineral in a meteorite crater in Arizona. It was then named “moissanite” in his honor.

In the late 1990s, researchers from the Research Triangle Park in North Carolina developed and patented a process for creating pure silicon carbide (SiC). This was used in the development of diverse products that included semiconductors, LED lighting and extremely hard drilling tools and abrasives.

It was then that the vision and innovation of Charles & Colvard—the original creator of moissanite—came to fruition. 

Moissanite vs Diamond

	Moissanite	Diamond
Fire	0.104	0.044
Brilliance	2.65-2.69	2.42
Luster	20.40%	17.20%
Hardness	9.25-9.50	10
Cutting Polish	Excellent   Excellent	Excellent   Excellent
Source	Man-Made	Natural
Price (1CT)	70 to 200$	1000 to 5000$

Moissanite is one of the hardest gemstones on earth, and in the gemstone world, second only to diamonds in durability. It is much harder than stones such as sapphires, emeralds or rubies and an excellent option for daily wear. Moissanite can withstand daily exposure and is highly resistant to scratching or breaking, ranking at 9.25 on the Mohs scale.

 

What is Moissanite Made of ?

Moissanite is made of the mineral silicon carbide. Strong covalent bonding holds the crystalline structure together, similar to diamonds. This is why moissanite is very hard and able to withstand high pressure and temperatures.

Is Moissanite a Diamond ?

Many people often ask this question from jewelers, requesting for a ‘moissanite diamond’ for their jewelry. Moissanite is not a diamond. Far from it. While it may look like a diamond, a moissanite and a diamond are very different in almost every aspect.