Moissanite offers a brilliant, ethical, and affordable alternative to diamonds, sharing many of their desirable properties but with distinct advantages.
- Origin: Moissanite was first discovered in 1893 by French chemist Henri Moissan in a meteorite crater. This gem, often considered “star-born,” is a rare naturally occurring mineral; today, all available moissanite is lab-grown, providing a sustainable and ethically sourced option.
- Hardness & Durability: On the Mohs scale of hardness, moissanite scores between 9.25 and 9.50, closely trailing diamonds at 10. This makes it highly resistant to scratches and suitable for daily wear. Moissanite also surpasses diamonds in fire and brilliance, thanks to its high refractive index. It reflects light with an intense sparkle and emits a subtle rainbow effect, particularly in larger stones.
- Ethical Sourcing: Unlike mined diamonds, moissanite’s lab-created origins ensure it is free from any social or environmental conflicts. This ethical and sustainable choice allows you to wear beautiful jewelry with a clear conscience.
- Pricing: Moissanite is significantly more affordable than diamonds, making it a popular choice for engagement rings. Diamond prices vary by the "4Cs"—cut, clarity, color, and carat weight—while moissanite pricing is influenced by size and color alone. For a comparable cost, one can obtain a larger, higher-quality moissanite than a diamond, adding extra value without compromising beauty.
- Color & Clarity: Moissanites are available in “colorless” (equivalent to D-F diamonds) and “near-colorless” (similar to G-I diamonds). Only colorless moissanites are used in our collections for optimal brightness. Regarding clarity, most moissanites are graded “VSI” (very slightly included), matching the standards of high-quality diamonds.
- Size & Shape: Moissanite stones are not measured in carats due to their density differences with diamonds; however, a 6.5mm moissanite weighs 0.88 carats but appears similar in size to a 1.0-carat diamond. Moissanite also comes in all classic shapes like round, oval, and princess, retaining the elegant options available with diamonds.
