What is Moissanite? A Buyer's Guide to Moissanite Jewelry

What is Moissanite

Moissanite is a lab-grown "silicon carbide" (not to be confused with lab-grown diamond) that is notorious for its remarkably similar appearance and properties to diamonds. Top-quality moissanite can be nearly colorless and free of visible inclusions—two desirable qualities of colorless gemstones.

Moissanite is birefringent. Light entering a gemstone is split in two as it is refracted outwards, resulting in a greater brilliance and "fire" than a diamond. On the Mohs hardness scale, Moissanite measures 9.5 out of 10. Since moissanite is very durable, it is suitable for everyday wear.

Where Does Moissanite Come From?

Moissanite was first discovered by Henry Moissan in 1893 in a crater in Arizona and named after him. Moissan initially mistook it for a diamond, but later realized it was a rock in itself.

Moissanite in nature is so rare that all moissanite on the market is lab-made. Naturally occurring moissanite is found only in a few places in upper mantle rocks, mainly in meteorites. This connection to outer space is why the stone is sometimes called "space diamond" or "stardust."

What is Moissanite Made Of?

Moissanite is made from the mineral silicon carbide. Strong covalent bonds hold the crystal structure together, similar to diamonds. This is why Moissanite is very hard and able to withstand high pressure and high temperature.

Benefits of Moissanite

Moissanite is gaining traction as consumers become more open about alternative gemstones for engagement rings and less concerned with the status quo. Moissanite offers an affordable and beautiful alternative to diamonds without compromising on cut, color or clarity. When you increase the carat weight, the price of moissanite does not rise as dramatically as diamond. Because of this, moissanite is a good choice if you have "champagne on a beer budget"

Is Moissanite A Diamond?

Many people often ask this question to jewelers asking for "moissanite diamonds" for their jewelry. Moissanite is not a diamond. far away. While it may look like a diamond, moissanite and diamonds are very different in almost every way.

Check out our article The Difference Between Moissanite and Diamond.

Is Moissanite Tacky and Fake?

The answer to this question is simple, no. Many people mistakenly believe that moissanite is a fake gemstone, but this is the same as thinking that ruby is fake.

It's important to note that moissanite itself is a stone that happens to look like a diamond. In other words, moissanite is a diamond look, not a diamond imitation.

A high-quality, carefully set

moissanite jewelry

is as elegant and refined as any other gemstone.

Moissanite Durability

Moissanite is one of the hardest gemstones on earth, second only to diamonds in the gemstone world in terms of durability. It is much harder than gemstones like sapphire, emerald or ruby, making it an excellent choice for everyday wear. Moissanite can withstand daily exposure and is very resistant to scratching or breaking, with a Mohs scale of 9.25.

Moissanite is the second hardest gemstone used in jewelry and is one of the hardest substances on earth.

Moissanite is also very tough, which means it won't chip or split easily. It can withstand high temperatures and still retain its luster.

Shape and Size

Like diamonds, moissanite is cut in all shapes and sizes. More traditional shapes like round, oval and cushion are more readily available, while fancy shapes like marquise, emerald or radiant cuts may require custom cuts. Unlike diamonds, moissanite is not small enough to be used in a "mele," a small stone used for paving or halo designs.

It is important to remember that moissanite and diamond have different molecular weights. So 1.00 carats. Moissanite and 1.00 carat. Diamonds come in different sizes. We recommend working from a "diamond equivalent" carat weight to ensure that the moissanite size (in millimeters) matches your ideal carat weight diamond.

Moissanite Jewelry

Moissanite is great for any type of jewelry and suits every style. Whether you want minimalism or minimalism, moissanite is the perfect match. Moissanite is beautiful when you want to dress up and add some glamour due to its intense sparkle.

You can find moissanite stud earrings that look similar to diamond stud earrings at a much lower price. For a more elegant look, opt for moissanite drop earrings. In the light, these glitters are beautiful.

Moissanite tennis bracelets are another elegant and sophisticated option for casual or formal wear. Just like diamond tennis bracelets, they're not cheap, but they do look good. Moissanite tennis bracelets are just as beautiful as diamond tennis bracelets.

Moissanite necklaces and pendants are available in a wide variety of styles and designs. They tend to go with any outfit and are suitable for any occasion.

Moissanite Engagement Rings

While moissanite is popular in all types of jewelry, they are becoming the center stone of engagement rings for many young couples. From a practical standpoint, moissanite is durable, beautiful, ethical, and affordable. They are also unconventional, and with so many couples looking to be different and off the beaten track, moissanite offers just that.

Moissanite is suitable for any type of ring setting. They don't need protection as they are durable enough and can be set in delicate styles such as solitaire or tension settings. Just like diamonds, they work with any metal color, be it yellow, rose or white gold.

Moissanite diamonds, like diamonds, fit into any ring setting.

Although Moissanite may seem traditional, it is actually very edgy and very modern, which is one of the reasons why they are so attractive to the modern couple.

Check out our article a buyer's guide to moissanite rings.

What is The Best Moissanite Cut?

Although moissanite is graded only by its color, cut is an important factor because a properly cut stone can enhance the lustre of moissanite. Since moissanite has different optical properties than diamonds, the stone must be cut accordingly.

Moissanite can be cut into any common gem shape, but by far the most popular shape is the round brilliant. This classic cut tends to maximize the brilliance of the gemstone and is also very versatile.

Other popular moissanite cuts are princess, cushion, radiant, marquise, pear and heart.

Cuts that include broad, open facets like emeralds and Asschers are also beautiful for moissanite, but make sure the stone has no hue and is cut proportionally.

Choose a Moissanite Color

When purchasing moissanite, you will have three color categories to choose from: colorless (D-E-F), near colorless (G-H-I), and light (J-K range). Colorless gemstones command a premium and are more popular.

Moissanite tends to have shades of green, yellow, or brown, so it's important to look at the gem carefully before buying to make sure it doesn't contain any undesirable colors.

moissanite color
If you're looking for colored moissanite, it can be hard to find. Currently, sites like HER'S sometimes stock blue, green and pink moissanite, but this is rare.

Moissanite Flash

Moissanite has an extraordinary luster and is one of the most dazzling gemstones. Moissanite has what's called the "rainbow effect," a glowing, colorful sparkle that appears when the stone is viewed in light, especially natural light. This is due to the very high refractive index of moissanite (2.65).

While this is not usually noticeable in smaller stones, large moissanite can exhibit a strong rainbow effect. If you prefer to avoid this, then a smaller stone may be better for you.

Moissanite Clarity

Because moissanite is made in a laboratory, there is a lot of control over the final product. Even so, most moissanite tends to contain some faint inclusions. These are usually small thread-like inclusions that form during the gem making process. In general, though, the flaws are only visible under a magnifying glass, and the stone looks clean.

Moissanite Price and Resale Value

While moissanite is often chosen as an alternative to diamond, don't expect it to be cheaper than cubic zirconia. While moissanite is a relatively affordable gemstone, high-quality moissanite can still command premium prices. Making moissanite is a laborious and resource-intensive process, and it's not cheap.

The resale value of moissanite is uncertain at this stage, and as it is still a relatively new gemstone for jewelry, it is difficult to estimate resale value as the technology for making it continues to advance and expand. That being said, resale of moissanite will usually set you back about 50% of what you paid for, similar to diamonds.

How to Clean Moissanite Jewelry

Moissanite is an easy-to-maintain stone due to its durability. Over time, the buildup of dirt and grime can cause a gemstone to be cloudy or dull. However, washing moissanite with a soft cloth, mild soap and water is the best way to restore its luster.

When storing moissanite jewelry, make sure to keep it in a separate pouch or box. This is to ensure that the moissanite will not scratch the softer gemstones and cause damage to other jewelry items. Likewise, keep moissanite away from diamonds, which are harder and will scratch them.

In general, protect your moissanite gemstones from harsh chemicals. You can use an ultrasonic cleaner for your moissanite jewelry, but make sure the setup is strong enough to withstand the harsh vibrations of the cleaner. For example, putting a paving setup into an ultrasonic cleaner is not recommended because small stones may be squeezed out due to the pressure.

Moissanite Problem

This gemstone has many benefits that make it a near-perfect choice for your jewelry. The main problem with this gem may be society's perception of it.

For some, moissanite will always be a "fake" diamond and will never have the rank and prestige that a precious gemstone does. While you may love the science of gemstones, someone might snub your moissanite jewelry. Others may worry that moissanite will never become a family heirloom like sapphire or diamond.

Is this a real problem? We'll leave it to you to decide.

Another problem is that diamonds are generally considered a good investment, while moissanite is not, which means that the money you spend on moissanite is basically wasted.

But is this true?

As is widely believed, a diamond is overpriced and once you buy it you lose more than half of its value. In fact, as mentioned in this article, diamond rings are listed as the purchase with the most decreasing value.

Since moissanite is usually only around 10% of the price of a diamond, this means you can save 90% of your diamond purchase. Right there, you save a ton of money. Don't forget that you can resell your moissanite for about half the price.

Where to Buy Moissanite?

Moissanite can be hard to find in brick and mortar stores, so searching online will give you more options.

HER’S has a range of moissanite jewelry at various price points with international GRA certificates. When shopping for moissanite jewelry on HER’S, do your due diligence to avoid getting ripped off. You're sure to find some great pieces here.