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DIAMONDS Your Guide to Buying
What is Moissanite
What is Moissanite?
Created moissanite is silicon carbide formed as a single crystal. Moissanite is a naturally occurring mineral found in very limited quantities in the earth. Discovered in 1893 by Dr. Henri Moissan, the jewel was later named in his honor. The natural quantities of moissanite are too small to create jewelry. So what you see in the retail store is man-made. Single-crystal moissanite is manufactured through a patented thermal growing process, the specifics of which are proprietary. The process is very difficult and is performed by only one company in the world. Charles & Colvard created moissanite is measured at 9.25 on the Mohs scale-harder than all other materials used as gemstones, except diamond.
This product is a unique lab-created jewel with properties people expect to see in fine jewelry. Moissanite is a much higher quality product than CZ (cubic zirconia) and so the price is higher. Moissanite is not graded on the GIA color scale. It is available in a near-colorless form that is brilliant and highly dispersive.
| |
Brilliance |
Fire |
Luster |
Mohs
Hardness |
Specific Gravity |
Created Moissanite |
2.67
|
0.104 |
20.4% |
9.25 |
3.21 |
Diamond |
2.42 |
0.044 |
17.2% |
10 |
3.52 |
Cubic Zirconia
|
2.17
|
.060
|
8.25
|
N/A
|
5.80 |
|
Ruby
|
1.77
|
0.018
|
7.4%
|
9
|
4.00 |
Sapphire |
1.77
|
0.018
|
7.4%
|
9
|
4.00
|
Emerald |
1.58 |
0.014 |
4.8% |
7.5 |
2.72 |
In the late 1980s the synthesis of moissanite was achieved and in 1997 the manufacturer of synthetic moissanite, Charles & Colvard, began to market created moissanite jewelry and moissanite loose stones. An average one carat diamond costs approximately $1500 dollars whereas a one carat moissanite loose stone may cost between $100 to $200 dollars depending on the cut. The Charles & Colvard Certificate of Authenticity ensures that every Charles & Colvard created Moissanite jewel is an original product which has been manufactured in controlled facilities by highly-skilled specialists using the latest technology. Moissanite jewels are released for sale only after having met stringent quality control specifications.
Every Charles & Colvard created Moissanite jewel is precisely hand-cut by a master gem cutter to create maximum brilliance.
While round brilliant continues to be the most popular cut for Moissanite, fancy cuts such as castle, cushion, heart, marquise, octagon, oval, pear, princess, radiant, square brilliant, triangle and trillion are also available in limited quantities.
Is Moissanite resistant to scratching?
Yes. Moissanite is durable and tough. It is extremely resistant to scratching and abrasion. Of course, a diamond is the hardest gemstone used in jewelry but Moissanite, with hardness of 9.25 is harder than all other gemstones including ruby and sapphire.
How can Moissanite be distinguished from other colorless jewels?
There are three (3) methods for distinguishing Moissanite:
1) Test using a specialized detection device.
2) Determine if doubling of facet junctions is visible through magnification.
3) Look for needle-like or micro-pipe type inclusions that typically are perpendicular to the table facet and are visible only under magnification.
Is it true that created Moissanite can test positive as diamond using conventional testing equipment?
Yes. Believe it or not, most jewelers have a difficult time identifying Moissanite from Diamond. Many of the standard diamond detector devices confuse the two gems, so additional testing equipment needs to be used. Whenever you bring a piece of Moissanite jewelry in for repair, always let the jeweler know that it is Moissanite, they may just assume it?s a diamond and lead to confusion.
Why is Moissanite sold by millimeter and not by carat weight?
In order to fit available settings. By having standard millimeter sizes Moissanite can be used in a greater variety of jewelry designs without having to have pieces customized. The specific gravity of Moissanite is 3.21 grams per cubic centimeter, so 6.5 mm round brilliant Moissanite jewel is approximately 0.88 carats.
How do you clean Moissanite?
You can clean Moissanite the same way you would diamond.
www.gia.edu
the Gemological Institute of America is the world?s foremost authority on diamonds.
Contact GIA 800-421-7250
agslab.com
AGS Laboratories is among the best known and well respected diamond grading laboratories in the world.
www.eglusa.com
EGL USA is one of the world's premier independent gemological laboratories.
pgglab.com
PRECISION GEM GRADING LABORATORY
• Diamonds Buying Guide
• Diamond Rings
• How to read a Diamond Certificate
• How to tell a Diamond is real
• Gold coins, jewelry
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