What Is Moissanite?
Made from carbon and silicon, moissanite is a lab-grown gemstone celebrated for its clarity, sparkle, and durability. Superior to similar stones in terms of brilliance, it’s also more eco-friendly and socially responsible –– just to name a few.
A beautiful and timeless option, moissanite jewelry is designed to stand the test of time, which makes it the perfect addition to your collection that can be passed on for generations to come.
If you’ve been thinking about purchasing your first moissanite piece, now’s the perfect time to do so!
Where Do Moissanite Gemstones Come From?
Moissanite was first discovered in 1893 by the Nobel Prize-winning French chemist Henri Moissan. As he studied leftover particles caused by a meteorite crash in Arizona’s Canyon Diablo, Dr. Moissan discovered a silicon carbide –– an extremely rare mineral that sparkles like a crystal –– which was later named “moissanite” in his honor.
Today, moissanite stones are lab-grown from the same material under very precise and special conditions that replicate the beauty and brilliance of the natural mineral. While natural moissanite is incredibly rare –– more so than diamonds –– lab-made moissanite is much easier to find and use in jewelry creation, and a lot more affordable for shoppers to purchase.
What Is The Difference Between A Moissanite Stone And A Diamond?
To the naked eye, moissanite gemstones and diamonds are nearly impossible to tell apart –– even professional jewelers have a hard time distinguishing between diamonds and premium moissanite without a detailed inspection.
The main difference between moissanite and diamonds is in their composition: while moissanite gems are made from recreated silicone carbide within a specialized facility, diamonds are made by applying temperature and heat to carbon.
Other slight differences between moissanite gemstones and diamonds include the following:
While moissanite is completely colorless with a tint that depends on lighting, diamonds are assessed by color on a scale from D-Z.
While diamonds score a 10 on the Mohs scale in terms of hardness, moissanite comes in a close second at 9.5. However, moissanite is also less prone to breaking than traditional diamonds.
Since the moissanite stone is human-grown in a lab, it’s comparable to the high quality of diamonds in terms of color and clarity. Specifically, moissanite is comparable to a nearly flawless VVS clarity - DEF color diamond.
Moissanite has a higher refractive index than diamonds, with a value of 2.69 compared to diamonds' 2.42 ––– giving it much greater brilliance and sparkle. In comparison, sapphires have a refractive index of 1.77.
At Tiamo Gem, our custom jewelry design process ensures that the beauty of the moissanite stone always shines through –– which makes it nearly impossible to tell apart from a traditional diamond, and comes at a much more affordable price tag.
Moissanite Is Ethical And Socially Responsible.
Moissanite Is Ethical And Socially Responsible.
Unfortunately, a lot of people are unaware of the environmental destruction and social havoc that is a direct byproduct of the diamond mining industry. From carbon emissions to deforestation, water waste, and the release of life-threatening toxins into the environment, the diamond mining industry is one of the most harmful and devastating ones out there.
This, along with the inhumane labor conditions that miners are forced to endure, is reason enough to opt for moissanite instead.
Since these precious stones are lab-grown, there is no need for any of the practices that take place within traditional diamond mining procedures. On the contrary, purchasing moissanite jewelry means you can still have a unique, beautiful, and long-lasting piece without the guilt.
Moissanite Pricing: High-End Luxury At An Affordable Price
A modern-day alternative to diamonds, Tiamo Gem’s moissanite jewelry exceeds expectations in terms of quality and design –– without the high-end price tag. However, their lower price point doesn’t reflect or take away from the quality or longevity of the stone.
Approximately one-tenth of the cost, moissanite is more affordable than mined diamonds all because of marketing: the lab-grown gems simply aren’t as widely-bought yet!
Should You Choose Moissanite Jewelry?
When it comes to choosing the perfect piece of jewelry to celebrate a special occasion, like an engagement ring or an anniversary pendant, we believe that moissanite is the perfect option for budget-mindful shoppers.
Moissanite gemstones are popular with connoisseurs for their brilliance, clarity, and hardness –– which makes them outshine diamonds (sometimes literally) without the need to compromise in terms of design, brilliance, ethics, or durability.
At Tiamo Gem, we’re proud of our commitment to designing and creating ageless and luxurious moissanite jewelry and moissanite rings for every moment and budget. Let’s work together to uncover the beauty of moissanite as we bring your dream piece of jewelry to life!