The decision between modern beauty and old-fashioned tradition drives many fine jewelry purchases. When making such a decision, it's crucial to have a complete understanding of the facts related to each type of gem you're considering. We hope we can help you bridge the gap to a more informed purchase that you'll cherish for a lifetime.
What is Moissanite?
We often get the question, “Is moissanite a diamond?” The answer is no. Moissanite is a rare, naturally occurring mineral also known as silicon carbide. Named after Nobel Prize-winning chemist Dr. Henri Moissan, moissanite was first discovered in 1893 at the site of a massive meteorite strike in Arizona. Scientists in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina later developed the thermal growing process that creates silicon carbide crystals, which are fashioned into moissanite gemstones. More information about moissanite remarkable qualities read our post, What Is Moissanite? Answered by the Creators, themselves.
Diamonds are traditional, white gems with sparkle and fire that has made them a sought-after luxury jewelry item both for their beauty and their rarity. But, if you’re searching for a gemstone that will stand out from the crowd, look no further than Forever One colorless moissanite. Our process not only allows us to offer beautiful, socially responsible jewelry at an incredible value, but also ensures the quality of your moissanite gems.
Moissanite vs. Diamond
What’s the difference between diamonds and moissanite?
While diamonds are created from the compression of coal and minerals over many hundreds of years in the earth, moissanite comes from the stars. Originally, this rare gem was found in fragments of meteorite in pieces so small that cutting a gemstone from them was impossible. After many years of work, this rare, natural mineral was successfully grown in a lab. This process allows Charles & Colvard to create some of the most brilliant and beautiful colorless gems, rivaling the traditional beauty of diamonds in clarity and size – and outshining diamonds with their brilliance and fire.
Brilliance Refractive Index (BRI) the measurement of a gemstones ability to slow down, bend and reflect light.
Fire Dispersion is when a light is split while passing through a gemstone, causing a rainbow-like effect.
Hardness MOHS Scale is a qualitative scale characterizing the scratch resistance of various gemstones and minerals.
As demonstrated in the chart above, moissanite has a greater refractive index and therefore contains more fire and brilliance – the internal play of light inside the gem – than diamonds. How is this achieved? We cut our moissanite in a unique way that emphasizes the natural beauty and sparkle of the gemstone. Our expert gemcutters examine each individual stone and determine the cut that would yield the most beautiful moissanite gemstone. From this, we use specialized cutting techniques specific to moissanite to enhance each stone's fire and brilliance.
Moissanite is Second to Diamond in Terms of Hardness
Another benefit of moissanite is that it comes in second only to diamonds on the hardness scale – surpassing other gemstones including ruby, sapphire and emeralds. Even with a slight difference in hardness, don’t think moissanite isn’t tough. Our Forever One moissanite is rated “excellent” in durability, which means it can withstand the demands of daily wear.
Moissanite is Environmentally and Socially Responsible
Charles & Colvard introduced Forever One, the first colorless moissanite created gemstone, in September of 2015. Forever One is the epitome of created moissanite, and it’s helping change the way the industry thinks about environmental responsibility, and the way buyers think about fine jewelry. Forever One moissanite is lab-grown, so there is no mining involved in the creation process. It is not harmful to the earth, and it is not involved in any conflict trade. We are proud to say that our gems are eco-friendly and sustainable, and it is part of our corporate mission to continue to provide socially responsible choices in the jewelry industry at the revolutionary value.
Forever One is the culmination of two centuries of research and two decades of continuous innovation and is now available in two color grades: colorless (D-E-F) and near-colorless (G-H-I)*. The difference between the two is barely discernible with the naked eye, but we want to ensure excellence with every stone we grade. We pride ourselves on our stringent grading process. We have trained experts hand-grade each piece of Forever One moissanite, which ensures the quality of the products our customers receive. Our grading scale guarantees our colorless D-E-F gemstones are just that, colorless. Near-colorless G-H-I is made from the same materials, however, it has a slight icy blue hue when exposed to light at just the right angle.
Jewelry with Revolutionary Brilliance
Moissanite jewelry is not limited to specific styles, so when considering moissanite vs. diamonds, you will still have a huge array of luxury designs to choose from. Whether you want modern designs or traditional or vintage looks, Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite comes in all of the same cuts, settings, and configurations in which diamonds can be featured.
The difference is, of course, that distinctive moissanite brilliance, along with its eco-friendly beginnings. Each stone is carefully inspected for flaws, clarity, and brilliance to ensure that every moissanite gem is as beautiful and brilliant as the special person who will wear it.
We stand behind our products, which is why Charles & Colvard provides a Limited Warranty on your purchase of Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite® jewelry and gem(s) that are 4mm in size or larger. Additionally, Charles & Colvard® provides a Limited Lifetime Warranty that applies to your purchase of Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite® gem(s) that are 4mm in size or larger. To learn more about our warranty and how it applies to our jewelry and gems, click here.
When you are comparing moissanite vs. diamonds – there is no real comparison. Despite their beauty, diamonds fall short of moissanite’s value and sparkle every time. Head on over to our shop and check out some of our latest designs, you’re sure to love them.
The Today Show Considers Moissanite a Jewelry Industry Game Changer
Still deciding between moissanite engagement rings vs diamonds? Consider this: “When The Today Show’s Jeff Rossen placed a diamond and moissanite ring side-by-side, most people failed to tell the difference, yet moissanite costs a fraction of what a diamond does.”
*Color grades are based on the Gemological Institute of America’s color grading scale.
