About Moissanite

What is Moissanite?

Moissanite is a rare mineral that was discovered in 1893 by Dr. Henri Moissan, a French scientist. The Nobel Prize-winner was the first to find tiny amounts of this natural silicon carbide within a meteorite.

Moissanite, also known by its chemical name, silicon carbide (SiC), is a naturally occurring mineral found in very limited quantities or as minute particles in the earth. It was discovered in 1893 by Dr. Henri Moissan, a French scientist. The Nobel Prize-winner was the first to find tiny amounts of this natural silicon carbide within a meteorite. Dr. Moissan began studying geological fragments of a meteorite taken from a meteor crater (Canyon Diablo) located in Arizona. In these fragments, he discovered minute quantities of a shimmering material. After extensive research, Dr. Moissan concluded that this material was a new mineral, silicon carbide. In 1905, well-known Tiffany & Co. gem expert and mineralogist, George Kunz suggested the jewel be named moissanite in Dr. Moissan's honor.

The rarity of natural moissanite crystals large enough for jewelry prohibits their use.

Hardness of Moissanite

Moissanite has a hardness of 9.25 on the Mohs scale, compared to 10 for diamond, which is the earth's hardest substance. It became obvious to those who saw it that moissanite would be popular in jewelry, but naturally occurring pieces of moissanite are too small and scarce to make that possible.

Synthetic Moissanite

Synthetic moissanite can be grown in labs, but some gemologists do not feel that current synthetic versions used in jewelry are true moissanite.

Moissanite is not a substitute for diamond scientifically, chemically or emotionally. Synthetic moissanite is a unique near-colorless jewel (chemical composition: SiC) that stands on its own and has superb fire and brilliance as compared to any other jewel and offers the value, quality and fashion that self-purchasing women demand.

Moissanite costs considerably less than commonly desired gemstones and jewels, including diamond.

Testing for Moissanite

Most people and some jewelers cannot tell the difference between the colorless moissanite being sold today and a colorless diamond, so there's worry that fraudulent or inaccurate sales could take place after an initial moissanite purchase. And if a jeweler can't distinguish the two, how can a consumer be expected to tell the difference?

Lab instruments are available to help jewelers detect synthetic moissanite and other types of stones that are often fraudulently or unknowingly represented as diamonds.

We do sell electronic testers which will allow you to distinguish diamond from synthetic moissanite - please look at Moissanite Testers section of our website and the cost of the tester usually is less than what one mistake can cost you.

Buy jewelry made from what's sold as synthetic moissanite because you love it, not because of the marketing hype. Ask the seller as many questions as it takes to make you feel comfortable with your purchase and always deal with a reputable jeweler who can tell you exactly what you are buying.