What Is Moissanite And How Is It Different From Diamonds

Moissanite (commonly known as magic star stone), extracted from meteorite, is a molecule combined with carbon and silicon, which can be manufactured manually. It is a super hard material with a hardness of 9.5. The refractive index of synthetic magic stone is slightly higher than that of diamond (2.648 ～ 2.691), and the dispersion is also good (0.104). In particular, its thermal conductivity is 2.3-4.9 watt/K-cm, which is a little close to the diamond’s 26 watt/K-cm [1] compared with other diamond counterfeits. The price is one tenth of that of diamonds, so it is considered to be the best substitute for natural diamonds.

What is moissanite

As a natural element mineral, moissanite is the second hardest gem in the world. The natural moissanite is a meteorite from outer space. In 1894, a French Nobel Prize winner, Dr. Henri Moissan, found a kind of carbon silicon bound particle from the meteorite falling in Arizona, the United States, which was extremely bright, and the outside of the material was very similar to diamonds, but there was no such component on the earth, so scientists began to develop it. In 1905, to show respect for Dr. Henri Moissan, this newly discovered gem was named moissanite. The stone is an artificial gem.

The natural moissanite can be traced back to the late 19th century. The word “moissanite” comes from Dr. Henri Moissan, who found this mineral in the Arizona crater in 1904. Moissanite (a kind of silicon carbide) is also known as carborundum. Most of it is artificially synthesized. Natural Moissanite is very rare, only appears in the crater, and its color is mostly dark green and black. It has been mainly used as abrasive for many years. In recent years, it has been researched and developed for applications in the electronic field, such as light-emitting diode materials. The color of synthetic moissanite is mostly I or below, and some moissanite has light green hue, which indicates that the appearance of moissanite is very similar to that of diamond.

Moissanite color: colorless, blue, green, yellow green, yellow
Gloss: glass, sub metallic luster
Transparency: transparent to opaque
Hardness: 9.5
Cleavage: [0001] Not obvious
Fracture: shell
Stripes: grayish green
Density: 3.218 – 3.22 g/cm ³
Category: natural element mineral
Molecular weight: 40.10 u
Crystal system: hexagonal crystal system

What is the mossanite price

Generally speaking, the price of moissanite is determined by 4 “C”. The better the quality of 4C is, the higher the price is. Generally speaking, when the clarity, color and cutting of one carat of moissanite are VS1, H and excellent, the price is about 600 dollars.
A one carat (0.2g) diamond will cost at least 4000 to 6000 dollars, while the market price of a 6.5 mm diameter moissanite is only about 400 to 600 dollars.
As a synthetic gem, Moissanite is greatly affected by the process, and is more authoritative in the industry. Charles Kova Company of the United States has a relatively high synthetic quality.

The difference between moissanite and diamond

Specific gravity: moissanite is lighter than diamond, that is, their specific gravity is different. The specific gravity of diamond is 3.52, while that of moissanite is only 3.22. For non inlaid materials, it is easy to distinguish them with methyl iodine specific gravity solution (specific gravity 3.32).
Hardness: the hardness of moissanite is less than that of diamond, so the diamond hardness tester will leave scratches on the surface of moissanite, while the scriber will not leave scratches on the surface of diamond.
Conductivity: According to the report of GIA, 80% of moissanite is electrical conductor (only blue and blue gray IIb diamonds among natural diamonds have conductivity). Common white/light yellow diamonds are non-conductive, so you can use a conductivity meter or a moissanite meter to identify diamonds and moissanite.
Refractive index: the refractive index of moissanite is different from that of diamond, and the reflective characteristics of moissanite are also different from that of diamond. Experienced diamond appraisers can distinguish the two; In addition, moissanite has birefringence, so it is not difficult to see the ghost of moissanite prism and bottom tip through careful observation. At this time, the ghost will still appear when the observation angle is changed.
Two axis optical characteristics: because of the two axis optical characteristics of moissanite, the observation of its ghosting characteristics depends on the observation angle. When viewing the ghosting from the main facet of the mesa, it is obvious. Although the mesa is perpendicular to the c axis of the moissanite crystal axis, the ghosting effect will be reduced. Focusing on the bottom tip, you can still see the reflection ghosting of the mesa and the crown facet, which is completely different from the crown reflection of a single refraction diamond.
Polishing grain: the waist polishing grain of moissanite is parallel to each other, which is completely different from diamond. Moreover, due to the difference of different directions, the polishing direction should be constantly adjusted during diamond polishing, while the moissanite can be polished along the same direction. This is particularly evident between adjacent facets.
Cutting: The edges of most cut moissanite are relatively blunt, which is completely different from diamonds with sharp edges.
Inclusions: The inclusions of diamond are different from that of moissanite. There are some inclusions in all identified moissanite, which are arranged in parallel in needle shape. Fine parallel arranged reflection rays can be seen in some moissanite.

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Is Moissanite Stone Worth Buying

Moissanite not only has the basic characteristics of diamond, but also has higher luster, fire color and brightness than diamond, which is more suitable for jewelry. In foreign countries, moissanite stone has been known as a “diamond” brighter than diamonds. Although moissanite stone combines the advantages of diamonds, its market price is only about one tenth of that of diamonds. In recent years, we introduced moissanite stone into China, and it was immediately pursued and loved by the people. Moissanite stone can not only set off noble temperament and taste, but also has a high cost performance ratio. Compared with consumers, high-end diamonds are the representative of collection, while moissanite stone is the best choice for fashion and beauty.

Moissanite is very popular in China these years. Moissanite not only has the basic characteristics of diamond, but also has higher luster, fire color and brightness than diamond, which is more suitable for jewelry. Moissanite diamond rings and moissanite necklaces are very popular among young people. It is said that for a period of time there was a situation of demand exceeding supply.

Moissanite is a kind of silicon carbide, which is rarely found in nature. Most of it is artificially synthesized on the market. In the early days, people mistakenly thought it was a diamond because it was very similar to diamonds in appearance and other data. However, with the continuous development of moissanite, there are already some relevant international certificates. That is to say, the purchase of moissanite stone is the same as the purchase of diamonds. There will be relevant certificates. You should pay attention to the purchase of moissanite stone in the future.

Moissanite gem is the only characteristic material that is a gem of different diamonds. Although its appearance and internal crystal are very similar to diamonds, its chemical composition is different. Diamonds are the crystal of carbides. The main component of Moissanite is silicon carbide. Moissanite gem has the best fire color and higher refractive index. The light it refracts emits is iridescent, Under the optical instrument, the fire color emitted by the moissanite is 2.4 times higher than the diamond, and the fire color light emitted by it is more eye-catching. Refractive index, glossiness and refractive index of gems refer to the color and brightness reflected by light entering gems. If gems have high refractive index, they will reflect higher fire colors.
Fire color refers to the optical effect of gems, which means that the intensity of the reflected light of gems is refracted to produce bright colors that other gems cannot reach.

Moissanite Diamond Characteristics

(1) Moissanite stone is the second hardest gemstone in the world (9.25 Mohs).
(2) Moissanite stones are bidirectional refractions, showing colorful firelight. The brightness is 2.5 times higher than that of diamonds, and it remains unchanged.
(3) Because of its excellent thermal conductivity, the common diamond tester cannot identify the moissanite gem.
(4) Only one tenth of the price of diamonds, enjoy the same, and truly value for money.
(5) It takes up to 5 to 6 months for each moissanite gem to develop crystals. Like natural gemstones, its crystals have different inclusions. With patented cutting technology, each gem is artificially cut and unique.