Moissanite – the gemstone that really is out of this world
Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but Moissanite is the sassy, flamboyant friend who is always the most interesting person in the room.
Moissanite was first discovered in 1893 by the French Nobel laureate, Henri Moissan. Moissan was examining rock samples from a meteor crater in Arizona and initially believed the brilliant crystals to be diamonds before properly identifying them as silicon carbide.
Those crystals had been brought to earth over 50,000 years previously as part of the meteorite that crashed into the Arizona desert.
Moissanite is naturally occurring on earth, but in such minute qualities that it has taken over a century to harness the technology to create this stunning mineral in lab settings.
The Moissanite gemstones used in jewellery may be lab made, but it is the exact same chemical composition to the mineral from outer space.
Moissanite vs Diamonds
For some people, an engagement ring without a diamond is unthinkable and while we celebrate luxury and opulence passionately, the beauty of a Moissanite gemstone shouldn’t be dismissed.
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Durability
For some people, an engagement ring without a diamond is unthinkable and while we celebrate luxury and opulence passionately,the beauty of a Moissanite gemstone shouldn’t be dismissed.
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Clarity
Moissanites are labmade, their average clarity level is far higher than naturally produceddiamonds with their inherent blemishes and inclusions.
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Brilliance
Moissanite has ahigher refractive index than a diamond, meaning that it has more brilliance andsparkle in comparison. Moissanites brilliance, with slight fiery rainbowflashes compared to a diamonds whiter light reflection are one of the few waysto notice the difference between the two gemstones.
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Colour
Modern production techniques have meant that Moissanite is now completely colourless. Previously, Moissanite would carry a slight yellowish or green tint. Diamonds have a large range of colouring from colourless to light yellow or brown before moving into fancy colour diamonds (pink, blue, red, green, brown, or yellow)
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Price
This is the most noticeable difference. Diamonds can range dramatically in price, but a Moissanite gemstone can be up to 80% cheaper for a comparable size.
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Ethical & Environmental Impact
Lab made Moissanite have a substantially smaller environmental impact. A far lower carbon footprint, zero mining impact and a controlled production process makes Moissanite a powerfully ethical and environmentally friendly choice for an engagement or wedding ring.
Moissanite offers a budget friendly, stunning alternative to a diamond. It’s got more sparkle, will stand the test of time and is truly, out of this world!