Moissanite may be lesser known than diamond or other popular gemstones, but it is increasingly becoming a favorite jewelry choice for women worldwide. From engagement rings to anniversary gifts to commemorative keepsakes, moissanite jewelry has something special to offer every woman who wears it.
Moissanite is an exceptional gemstone that offers the best of both worlds in the jewelry world. It can be used to make rings, necklaces, and earrings that look just like diamond jewelry but costs much less. It’s been called the diamond alternative because of how closely it resembles diamonds in every way—from color to brilliance to durability—but also because of its popularity as an engagement ring stone and its ability to be used in wedding bands.
A moissanite ring is one of the most exquisite pieces of jewelry you can own, but it’s also one of the cheapest. It’s been around for more than 20 years, and during that time, it has undergone many changes and upgrades to reach its current form as one of the hottest gemstones available today.
Here’s everything you need to know about this new-generation diamond and how it compares to other popular choices, such as emerald and opal.
What Is Moissanite?
Henri Moissan discovered moissanite in 1893 while investigating rock samples from a meteor crater in Canyon Diablo, Arizona. He initially misidentified the crystals as diamonds, but in 1904 he identified them as silicon carbide. Edward G. Acheson had created artificial silicon carbide in the lab barely two years before Moissan’s breakthrough.
Moissanite is a naturally occurring mineral, a type of silicon carbide, which can’t be found in nature in large enough quantities to be cut into even a one-carat gemstone, says Don O’Connell, president, and CEO of Charles & Colvard, the original creator of moissanite
What Can It Be Used For?
Moissanite can be used for jewelry, including engagement rings, wedding bands, pendants, and earrings. It is also a great choice for those looking for an alternative to diamonds. Moissanite was launched to the jewelry market as a diamond substitute in 1998 when Charles & Colvard secured the first patents to make and market lab-grown silicon carbide gemstones. By 2018, all patents on the original process had expired worldwide.
Benefits of Wearing Moissanite Over Diamonds
- In general, moissanite jewelry may have greater brilliance than a diamond. It has more fire and brilliance than any other gemstone, which means it sparkles more.
- Moissanite is also less expensive than diamonds, so that you can get a bigger, better quality stone for your money.
- Moissanite is available in various colors, so you can find the perfect gem to suit your style.
How Does Moissanite Compare To Other Gemstones?
Moissanite is often compared to diamonds, but it is quite different. Moissanite is not as hard as diamonds, so that it can be cut and polished more easily. This also means that moissanite jewelry will not last as long as diamond jewelry. However, moissanite is much cheaper than diamonds, so you can buy a piece of moissanite jewelry for a fraction of a diamond piece.