How is Moissanite Made?

While you may have heard that "diamonds are made under pressure," little is known about the process behind the production of ethical lab-grown moissanite.

Moissanite was first discovered in 1893 by scientist Dr. Henry Moissanite. He was examining rock samples from Meteor Crater, and at first, he misidentified the gemstone as a diamond. It wasn't until 1904 that Dr. Moissan realized that the rock samples were not diamonds, they were actually silicon carbide (SiC) which we now call moissanite.

Check our article: The Difference between Moissanite and Diamond

Today, naturally occurring moissanite is very rare, so all moissanite on the market is lab-created under controlled conditions. Using heat and pressure, silicon and carbon combine to create moissanite. The moissanite is then carefully cut into the desired shape and facet style to fit into the ring.

HER'S Jewelry's moissanite is hand-cut – this allows each stone to be perfectly faceted and cut to precise proportions, ensuring its optical performance is second to none.

There are many benefits to creating these beautiful stones in a lab. Not only can color and clarity be controlled to produce the highest quality gemstones, but it's also a more ethical choice. Conflict-free and minimal impact on our beautiful planet.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

How do you ensure the product and quality of the moissanite produced?

Each moissanite is produced to strict specifications and high quality control standards. HER'S Moissanite has the most comprehensive warranty, covering chips and scratches as well as color changes and clouding.

What makes moissanite "shine"? What properties of moissanite give it such extraordinary brilliance?

The refractive index (RI) of a gemstone is the most important optical property that affects its potential brilliance (sparkle). Moissanite has an RI of 2.65 – 2.69, which is brighter than diamond (RI 2.42) or any other popular gemstones like ruby ​​(RI 1.77) and sapphire (RI 1.77). I heard it and my eyes stayed there for a while.

Will Moissanite's brilliance fade?

No, but if this happens for some odd reason, you can grab your warranty card and use its magic to replace your stone.

How is the clarity of moissanite graded?

Using a 10x jeweler's loupe, inspect each gemstone for inclusions that could affect its optical properties.

Does moissanite have inclusions?

Some moissanite have needle-like inclusions called microtubules. They can be seen under a magnifying glass and cannot be seen by the naked eye. Higher quality moissanite has almost no microtubules. When crystals grow too fast, a stone with more microtubules is created.

Does moissanite have color?

Yes! We now have several gorgeous colors, but none are coated. The coating scratches off easily, so we only sell moissanite that is truly colored. They also now come in greens, greys, muted yellows and green-blues. Ah, don't tell anyone, but if you're interested, we have a small private stash of dark and medium green NEOs. They are kind of magical.

Will moissanite change color or fade over time?

The color of moissanite does not change permanently. During jewelry restoration, moissanite undergoes a temporary color change when heated (jeweler's flashlight). However, with proper tabletop technique, no damage can be done, and the moissanite will return to its normal color after the gem has cooled to room temperature. If you are a jeweler, do not quench hot stones. #crunch

What shapes are available?

While round cuts remain our most popular cuts, fancy cuts such as cushion, oval, emerald, princess, radiant, pear, heart, trillion and more! Let's put it this way - we can get all the shapes your favorite moissanite craves. How about an old European cut round or slit emerald? Shield cutouts, Old Mine Cut cushions, square radiators, you name it.

What Makes Moissanite Fire?

Moissanite has 2.4 times the dispersion, or fire, of diamonds (0.044) and much higher dispersion than rubies (0.018), sapphires (0.018) and emeralds (0.014), which gives it gorgeous depth and sparkle.

Will My Moissanite Catch Fire?

Do not. Take that warranty card again, if you have any problems.

Is Moissanite Scratch Resistant?

Yes. Moissanite is strong and durable. It is very resistant to scratches and abrasions. Not long ago I tried scraping it off a shabby dude with a rough jeweler's wheel and nothing, not a single mark. Diamonds are the hardest gemstones used in jewelry, but moissanite has a hardness of 9.25, which is harder than all other gemstones, including rubies and sapphires.

Is Moissanite Easy to Break?

According to measurable scientific studies in high pressure studies, moissanite is extremely resistant to crushing and chipping. In fact, moissanite is one of the hardest jewelry known to man and has stood the test of time.

Is Moissanite Heat Resistant?

Yes. Moissanite has heat resistance properties that outperform many other jewelry. Tests proved that at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit (higher than the equivalent intensity of a house fire), Moissanite was still intact and as brilliant as the day it was created. The high heat resistance also makes moissanite less likely to suffer thermal damage during jewelry restoration.