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What is moissanite?
Moissanite is a common diamond jewelry substitute, like you've heard of "cubic zirconia", with diamond-like qualities. Although it is difficult for the average person to tell the difference, an experienced jewelry expert can easily distinguish moissanite from a real diamond. Moissanite's unique chemical structure allows it to have more facets than diamonds, even when cut into the same shape.Compared with diamond, moissanite has a stronger fire number, which makes it sparkle with colorful light. Moissanite is sometimes referred to as "Disco's flashing ball" because of its particularly strong fire rate.
Interestingly, moissanite is valued by their size, not by carat weight like diamonds. This is because moissanite is much lighter in weight than diamonds, 1 carat of diamonds is equal to 6.5 moissanites.
Unlike other diamond substitutes that darken and dull over time, Moissanite is atomically as stable as diamond, making it impossible to change color or lose its optical properties over time. In fact, considering that moissanite has a higher heat resistance than diamond, it can be said that it is more atomically stable. So you can choose with confidence that it will shine for a lifetime.
Origin of moissanite
In 1893, French chemist Dr. Henri Moissan (1852-1907) discovered natural crystals that looked very similar to diamonds in rock samples from a crater in Arizona, USA. Because its luster and hardness are very similar to diamonds, it was once mistaken for diamonds. This is the first Moissanite discovered.Later, through research, it was found that this natural crystal was composed of silicon carbide, an element that had not yet appeared on the earth at that time. Later in 1905, the crystal was named after Dr. Moissanite, that is, moissanite. However, natural moissanite comes from the Milky Way. It is an extremely rare mineral on earth and only exists in a few craters. Therefore, all moissanite on the market today is grown in the laboratory.
A Brief History of Moissanite
In 1893, Dr. Moissan discovered a natural crystal very similar to diamond for the first time in Arizona, USA, which was later called moissanite.
In 1904, Dr. Moissan concluded that the composition of the crystal was silicon carbide, a new mineral that had never appeared on earth.
1905 Gemologist George Kunz named the crystal moissanite in honor of Dr. Moissanite.
1995 Cree Inc., a silicon carbide company in the United States, developed synthetic moissanite from silicon carbide crystals. In the same year, one of Cree's principals established C3. That same year, a diamond cutter, after observing samples of moissanite crystals, suggested that properly cutting the crystal could create brilliant new jewelry. Scientists at CREE and C3 have started a three-year study, hoping to bring the brilliance and brilliance of moissanite to consumers.
In 1996, American C3 Company obtained the patented moissanite production technology and exclusively produced moissanite. It is also the first company in the world to produce moissanite.
In 1998, C3 in the United States introduced moissanite into the market as a "diamond substitute". During this period, moissanite was obviously yellowish, but it still achieved quite brilliant results in the international jewelry market within 3 years. Promoted to the trend of young people.
1999 American C3 company changed its name to C & C
In 2012, C & C of the United States followed the market trend and developed a relatively white moissanite, which is G-H color relative to the diamond color.
In 2013, the US C & C patent technology expired, and all countries in the world can produce moissanite independently. In the same year, moissanite was produced independently in China and India, and moissanite was also introduced into the Asian market, becoming the upstart of fashion jewelry in the market of all classes.
In 2014, moissanite made in China began to sell well on online shopping platforms such as Taobao and Tmall. At the same time, some negative situations, such as false declaration of origin and false certificates, also appeared in the market one after another.
In 2015, American C & C launched the whitest moissanite. Contrasting diamonds are D-F in color. In the same year, moissanite began to be widely recognized in many Asian markets, and then became popular.
In 2018, the agent of C & C of the United States participated in the Hong Kong International Jewelry Show and officially appeared in the Hong Kong jewelry market.
What are the advantages of moissanite?
Moissanite has a Mohs scale of up to 9.25 and a melting point of 2,730 °C, making it a heat-resistant material that is frequently used in commercial and industrial applications. Moissanite is also a very popular choice in gemstone jewelry because of its striking similarity to diamonds, its low price, and its ease of cutting into different shapes. Moissanite has a higher refractive index (the speed at which light travels through the material) than diamond, so it shines better in dim lighting.
What are the disadvantages of moissanite?
Moissanite has many disadvantages that depreciate it, the most important of which is that synthetic moissanite used in jewelry decoration is neither rare nor precious. On the contrary, diamonds are cherished because of their rarity. Moreover, some people will be overwhelmed by the strong "Disco sparkle ball" effect of moissanite, especially in sunlight or fluorescent light, the light refracted by moissanite will be particularly dazzling.
Stay tuned to MomentWish to answer your questions about moissanite and let you know more about moissanite.
