Moissanite is a rare mineral that first appeared in meteorites. It has grown in popularity over the years as an engagement ring gemstone due to its near resemblance to diamonds.
Nobel Prize-winning scientist Dr. Henri Moissan discovered this beautiful stone in 1893. Many people initially mistook it for a diamond. Fortunately, it did not take long for scientists to identify this new mineral and name it after Moissan.
Moissanite, unlike traditional gemstones like sapphire, ruby, and emerald, does not grow naturally in the Earth’s crust. It’s made in the laboratory where silicon carbide is formed by combining intense heat and extreme pressure at temperatures of 1,200 degrees Celsius.
As a result, moissanite is one of only a few minerals created by manufacturers using non-organic ingredients.
Where moissanite comes from
Natural moissanite has been around for nearly a century, dating back to the discovery of small amounts in meteorites in 1893. Today, this gem remains one of the most popular and stunning diamond substitutes.
It has a stunning sheen and bright appearance. Moissanite occurs rarely in nature. Only a few places in the world generate commercial quantities of it.
While this is the case, moissanite’s prominence and demand in the jewelry business have resulted in lab-grown solutions that are highly valuable.
Physical attributes that make moissanite valuable
Color:
Classic Moissanite is the earliest generation of moissanite. Then came Forever Brilliant, and now it’s Forever One Moissanite. The third generation (Forever One) is colorless. It appears yellow or green, depending on the illumination. The color becomes less evident as the Moissanite size decreases.
Hardness:
Moissanite has a Mohs hardness score of 9.25. This Moissanite hardness factor is excellent as it outperforms all other gemstones. This score makes moissanite an excellent unit when you are looking for high-quality jewelry that will last for a long time.
Brilliance:
Moissanite’s faceting pattern differs from diamonds. Moissanite has the brilliance of a disco light. The diamond’s brilliance reflects light in various ways, and the combination of all three creates a glitter that is very distinct from moissanite.
How does moissanite compare to other gems?
Clarity: Moissanite is incredibly rare, with only one in every 25,000 carats being considered gem quality. Manufacturers hand-sort these moissanite stones to ensure the highest quality gemstones. Most moissanite jewels are nearly flawless and cut like diamonds, with a high polish, excellent symmetry, and proportions.
Appearance: Moissanite stones are sometimes misidentified as diamonds due to their striking resemblance. But moissanite gems have significantly more fire, brilliance, and scintillation than diamonds at a much lesser price.
Hardness: Moissanite stones have somewhat higher hardness than diamonds, which is described as scratch resistance.
Ethical features that play into the value of moissanite
Environmental friendliness: Since the stone is made in the laboratory, there is no digging or ecological damage involved for you to get it.
Nonconflict: Unlike most naturally occurring stones, moissanite is made in the lab without any conflict. This not only makes the piece peaceful to own but also promotes world peace and harmony as there are no people hurt or exploited for it to be got.
Why is the market attractive to Moissanites?
Due to the fact that most consumers are conscious of the environment and want to buy as many environmentally safe products as possible, the demand for moissanite has significantly gone up, and it’s projected that it will continue rising.
So, is moissanite valuable?
Moissanite is extremely valuable, not just for its glittering physical features but also for its ethical sourcing, affordability, and growing appeal in the gemstone industry.
With an increasing shift toward conscious consumerism, the value of moissanite will only rise, establishing it as an extravagant and wise gemstone option for consumers today and in years to come.
How to pick good moissanite
Just because moissanite is valuable doesn’t mean you should buy just any piece you come across. You should take your time and find the most ideal unit.
Because most moissanite on the market now is of excellent quality, you don’t have to worry too much about selecting one that emits the most fire—all do.
High-quality branded moissanite will have similar qualities, allowing you to focus on your stone’s shape and size.
Moissanites are graded on the same color scale as diamonds, which ranges from D (Colorless) to Z (Light Color). Moissanite’s color grades are divided into three simple groups depending on its (lack of) color.
When making the purchase, don’t be concerned about the moissanite’s color, as most selections will be colorless. Most people go for colorless moissanites, and as long as they are high-quality, you can be confident that your stone will have a bright, clear glitter that will elicit plenty of admiration from family and friends.
Finally, clarity is essential for diamonds but less critical when selecting moissanite for your engagement ring. Gemologists use the same clarity scale for moissanite and diamonds as for color. Each grade reflects a stone’s inclusions, accounting for kind, size, quantity, and visibility.
The most significant component in clarity is that inclusions are not visible to the human eye. This means they should be eye-clean, with no apparent inclusions, and any little ones they may have will have no effect on how your moissanite looks unless you intend to examine it under a microscope.
Choosing a form and cut for your moissanite is about personal taste, but it’s one of the most exciting selections you’ll make.
Because moissanite is lab-created and has a high clarity grade, it can be cut into almost any shape imaginable, including brilliant and step cuts. Some forms are more popular than others, but moissanite emits a high level of fire and sparkle in nearly every cut.
Parting shot
Moissonite is a valuable gem that you should consider for your next purchase. When buying the unit, ensure that you do your research and ensure that you buy from a reputable store.
Besides taking time to buy a high-quality unit that will last for a long time, remember to take good care of the piece so that it gives you a good service.
