The Science of Sparkle: Understanding the Brilliance of Moissanite

Moissanite is a gem that has been in the limelight over the last few years and is considered an alternative to diamond. While Moissanite is a beautiful stone, what separates it from its diamond counterparts and makes it shine so brightly? In this blog post, we will consider the genesis, characteristics, and positive aspects of moissanite, and compare this gemstone to a diamond in terms of brilliance, durability, and price.

What is Moissanite?

Moissanite is a rare mineral that was discovered in 1893 by the French chemist Henri Moissan. He collected small silicon carbide crystals from the crater of a meteorite in Arizona, and at first he thought they were diamonds. Nevertheless, at a later stage, he understood that they were a new popular mineral that had not been found before. He named Moissanite after him.

However, natural Moissanite is not that available and it is extracted in the microscopic amount only which is the reason why most Moissanite used in jewelry is lab-created. Scientists have developed a way to grow large, high-quality crystals of silicon carbide, which can be carved and polished into exquisitely shaped gems.

What Makes Moissanite Sparkle?

Sparkle is one of the most attractive properties of moissanite, which distinguishes it from the others. Moissanite has a higher refractive index than diamonds, thus they are better at bending light and making colors appear sharper. The dispersion power of Moissanite is higher than that of diamonds, hence it splits light into various colors, and as a result, more fire is produced.

The sparkle of a gemstone is also influenced by its cut, which determines how well it reflects and refracts light. Moissanite can be shaped into different forms and styles, the round, oval, cushion, princess shape, and pear, being the most popular ones. The brilliant cut, which is the favorite in moissanite, has many facets that can increase the stone’s brilliance and fire.

How Does Moissanite Compare to Diamonds?

Moissanite and diamond are both beautiful gems that can be worn as an engagement ring, earrings, necklaces, and other jewelry. Although they both vary in some core aspects, this is the factor that may change your preference and pocket.

Here are some of the main factors to consider when comparing Moissanite and diamonds: Here are some of the main factors to consider when comparing Moissanite and diamonds:

Price

If you are looking for a ring with a lower budget compare to a diamond but that sparkle like a diamond Moissanite will be the best choice

Durability

The Moissanite is very hard and resistant to scratches, chips, and cracks. It is rated 9.25 on the Mohs scale of hardness and that makes it almost as hard as diamonds, which rank 10. Nevertheless, this distinction holds no practical importance since both gems are wearable on a daily basis and can stay for a lifetime under normal maintenance.

Color

A feature of Moissanite is that it is colorless or near-colorless, meaning that it does not have any apparent yellow or brown tints. Yet such moissanites may display a little yellow, green, or gray tone in them, especially, when they are in larger sizes, under certain lighting conditions. Unlike diamonds, which range from colorless to light yellow or brown, even though there are fancy colors such as pink, blue, or black. The color of a diamond determines its price for the colorless diamonds are very rare and hence are more valuable compared to the colored ones.

Ethics

Moissanite is a sustainable choice, as it does not involve any mining, conflict, or environmental harm.

Moissanite is created in controlled lab settings that use minimal resources and produce no waste or pollution. Diamonds, on the other hand, may harm the environment and human rights, as some of them are sourced from areas with poor labor conditions, violence, and corruption. Although there are initiatives to ensure that diamonds are conflict-free and ethically sourced, such as the Kimberley Process, they are only sometimes effective or transparent.

Final Thoughts

Moissanite is a lab-grown gemstone that offers a stunning sparkle, high durability, a pocket-friendly price, and a clean conscience. So, if you are looking for a beautiful and affordable alternative to diamonds, Moissanite can be the perfect choice for you.

To learn more about Moissanite and see some of our amazing Moissanite jewelry, visit Nooi Jewelry. We would love to help you find your dream Moissanite piece.