WHAT IS MOISSANITE
THE BASICS
Moissanite is silicon carbide. A rare mineral first discovered in a meteorite crater in 1893 by French scientist Henri Moissan. Natural moissanite is extremely rare. The stones you see today are lab-grown.
It ranks 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale. Only diamond is harder at 10. Hard enough for daily wear. Resists scratching better than most gemstones.
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
What makes moissanite distinctive is how it handles light. The numbers tell the story.
REFRACTIVE INDEX: 2.65
Higher than diamond at 2.42. Light bends more when entering the stone. This creates stronger brilliance. More light reflects back to your eye.
FIRE DISPERSION: 0.104
2.4 times higher than diamond at 0.044. Light splits into rainbow colors. You see more color flashes. The signature sparkle that sets moissanite apart.
DOUBLE REFRACTION
Light splits into two rays inside the stone. Creates a facet doubling effect when viewed through the pavilion. Not visible from the top in well-cut stones.
BRILLIANCE
Exceptional light return. Sparkles in low light where diamonds can look dull. Performs well under artificial lighting. Maintains fire in varied conditions.
DURABILITY
9.25 on the Mohs scale means moissanite resists scratching in normal wear. Only diamond, sapphire, and ruby are harder. Suitable for engagement rings worn daily.
Heat resistant up to 1,100°C. Will not burn, discolor, or change structure during jewellery repair or resizing. More thermally stable than many gemstones.
Does not cloud or lose sparkle over time. Maintains optical properties indefinitely. Clean the same way you clean diamonds.
COLOR GRADES
Modern moissanite comes in near-colorless grades. Quality has improved significantly from early stones.
DEF COLOR RANGE
We stock only DEF color grades. Equivalent to colorless diamonds. Some stones may show faint yellow or gray tints under certain lighting. The high fire usually masks subtle color.
LIGHTING CONDITIONS
Moissanite can show different tints under different light sources. Warm lighting may bring out yellow tones. Fluorescent light can show gray or green. Natural daylight shows truest color.
SIZE CONSIDERATIONS
Larger moissanite stones may show more color than smaller ones. Stones over 2 carats can display more noticeable tints. Similar to how large diamonds show more color.
HOW IT'S CREATED
All moissanite is lab-grown. Natural moissanite is too rare for jewellery. The lab-grown version replicates the mineral's chemical structure exactly.
Created through thermal growing processes. Silicon and carbon combine at high temperatures. Takes weeks to grow a single crystal. Then cut and polished like diamonds.
Controlled environment means consistent quality. Fewer inclusions than natural diamonds. Predictable color and clarity. No mining required.
VALUE
Moissanite costs 80-90% less than equivalent diamonds. A one-carat moissanite costs what a quarter-carat diamond costs. The price difference grows with size.
This price gap comes from production costs, not quality. Growing moissanite takes less time and resources than finding and mining diamonds. The lower cost is permanent, not a market fluctuation.
Moissanite does not hold resale value like diamonds. Consider it for the stone itself, not as an investment. Buy for how it looks, not what you might sell it for later.
WHO CHOOSES MOISSANITE
BUDGET-CONSCIOUS BUYERS
Get a larger stone for the same budget. A 2-carat moissanite costs less than a 0.5-carat diamond. Choose between size and other priorities.
ETHICAL SHOPPERS
No mining means no environmental impact or labor concerns. Clear supply chain. Know exactly where your stone comes from.
SPARKLE SEEKERS
Want maximum fire and brilliance. Prefer the rainbow flashes moissanite creates. Like that it sparkles more than diamonds in low light.
PRACTICAL WEARERS
Value durability for active lifestyles. Want a stone that can handle daily wear without worry. Appreciate low maintenance and lasting beauty.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Can you tell moissanite from diamond?
Experts can tell the difference. Moissanite shows more fire and has double refraction. Testing equipment identifies it immediately. Most people cannot tell by looking.
Will moissanite get cloudy?
No. Moissanite maintains its clarity permanently. Any cloudiness is dirt or oil buildup. Cleans easily with soap and water. The stone itself does not change.
Is moissanite a fake diamond?
No. Moissanite is not a diamond substitute. It is its own gemstone with different properties. Calling it fake implies it is trying to be something it is not. It is real moissanite.
Does moissanite test as diamond?
Old thermal testers cannot tell the difference. Modern testers identify moissanite correctly. Any gemologist can distinguish them under magnification. Be transparent about what you own.
READY TO SEE MOISSANITE?
We can show you moissanite in person or discuss your questions. See how the fire and brilliance compare to diamonds.