This stunning jewel has a brilliant past. Fifty thousand years ago, a meteorite crashed into the Arizona desert, creating what is now known as Meteor Crater. Scattered across the desert, the fragments of this meteorite concealed a dazzling secret waiting to be uncovered.
In 1893, Nobel Prize-winning scientist Henri Moissan began studying fragments of the meteorite from nearby Diablo Canyon. Within these fragments, Dr. Moissan discovered minute quantities of a sparkling new mineral with an unparalleled fire and brilliance. Through extensive research, he identified this mineral as silicon carbide.
In 1905, the mineral was named Moissanite in honour of Dr. Henri Moissan. Despite this incredible discovery, the naturally occurring quantities of Moissanite were so minute that it would take another century for this stunning mineral to emerge as the brilliant gemstone we know today.
Moissanite's hardness ranks second only to diamond, and its natural availability on Earth is extremely scarce. However, scientists have developed a cost-effective method to synthetically create Moissanite in the lab. This innovation has significantly reduced the cost while maintaining the same exceptional quality, making Moissanite jewellery both accessible and breath taking.
Moissanite vs. Diamond: A Sparkling Comparison
When choosing between Moissanite and diamond, it's essential to understand the key differences and similarities that make each gemstone unique.
Brilliance and Fire
Moissanite is renowned for its exceptional brilliance and fire, often surpassing that of diamonds. It has a higher refractive index (2.65 - 2.69) compared to diamonds (2.42), resulting in a more intense sparkle. Moissanite also exhibits greater dispersion, producing more vibrant flashes of colour.
Hardness and Durability
Both Moissanite and diamond are incredibly durable, making them ideal for everyday wear. Diamonds are the hardest known mineral, scoring a 10 on the Mohs scale. Moissanite follows closely with a score of 9.25, making it highly resistant to scratching and suitable for a variety of jewellery.
Clarity and Colour
Lab-created Moissanite generally features fewer inclusions and blemishes compared to natural diamonds. While diamonds are graded on a colour scale from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow), Moissanite is typically near-colourless, often comparable to diamonds in the D-F range.
Cost and Value
One of the most significant differences between Moissanite and diamond is the cost. Moissanite is significantly more affordable than diamonds, offering a budget-friendly option without compromising on beauty or durability. This makes Moissanite an attractive choice for those looking to maximize their investment in fine jewellery.
Ethical and Environmental Considerations
Moissanite is lab-created, which ensures an ethical and environmentally friendly production process. In contrast, diamonds can sometimes involve ethical and environmental concerns related to mining. Choosing Moissanite allows consumers to enjoy stunning jewellery with a clear conscience.
In summary, both Moissanite and diamonds are beautiful and durable choices for jewellery, each with unique advantages. Moissanite stands out for its brilliance, affordability, and ethical sourcing, while diamonds are prized for their unparalleled hardness and traditional value, naturally occurring magnificence & inheritability.
Here at 'Must Have Jewels' we offer both Earth mined Diamonds & Lab created Moissantes
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