| It is said that diamonds are a girl's best friend. | | | | in rock samples from a meteor crater in Canyon |
| They are one of the most beautiful and most | | | | Diablo, Arizona. The trade name moissanite was |
| expensive jewels available today. However, there | | | | given in honor of Moissan later on in his life. |
| may be a gem that could possibly take it's place. | | | | Because the natural mineral is incredibly scarce, |
| In the late 1990's, moissanite came on the scene | | | | scientists have been trying to recreate silicon |
| and has created quite a stir throughout the entire | | | | carbide for years. In 1995, Cree Inc (a corporation |
| jewelry world. What is this jewel and how does it | | | | that manufactures semiconducting materials and |
| compare to fine diamonds? Let's take a look at | | | | devices) partnered with Charles & Covard to |
| the differences. | | | | develop a way to produce large gem quality |
| DIAMONDS | | | | crystals which can be faceted into jewels with fire |
| The word diamond is derived from the Greek | | | | and brilliance. In 1998, lab created moissanite made |
| word "Adamas", which means indestructible. | | | | it's official debut. To the untrained eye, it is almost |
| Formed deep within the earth and under extreme | | | | impossible to differentiate between fine diamonds |
| conditions, the first delivery of diamonds occurred | | | | and moissanite. However, it does have it's |
| 2.5 billion years ago, with the most recent being | | | | differences. |
| 45 million years. Made up of carbon atoms, this | | | | - Cut - Moissantie stones are cut to exact angles |
| enduring and everlasting stone is the hardest | | | | and proportions through a method of computer |
| substance on earth. Considering the amount of | | | | modelling. As a result, a grading scale is not |
| time and energy it takes to produce a single | | | | necessary since they are designed specifically to |
| stone, it's no wonder these gems are highly | | | | maximize brilliance. Unlike fine diamonds, which are |
| coveted. There are 4 characteristics that | | | | isometric, moissanite is hexagonal, which means it |
| determine the beauty and worth of a diamond | | | | is doubly refractive. Upon closer inspection, the |
| and they are known as the 4 C's. | | | | gemstone will show double facet edges, whereas |
| - Cut - Refers to a gemstone's geometric | | | | a diamond's cut edges are singular in appearance. |
| proportions and how it has been cut. When a | | | | - Color - These stones additionally can not be |
| stone is cut, facets are created, which bring out | | | | graded using the standard GIA color grading scale. |
| it's brilliance. Additionally, they are cut to primarily | | | | They have a slightly darker color, which resemble |
| retain weight and this is why you see a variety of | | | | I-K colored diamonds. In terms of tint, they can |
| cuts all in the same diamond shape. The grading | | | | be off white to a very pale yellow to greenish in |
| system used to determine the cut of a stone are | | | | hue. |
| ideal, very good, good, fair and poor. | | | | - Clarity - There is no variation of clarity in |
| - Color - Fine diamonds can range from colorless | | | | moissanite. For the purpose of comparison to |
| (white) to light yellow. The less color a stone has, | | | | natural diamonds, they are equivalent to a VS |
| the more valuable it is. This is because off white | | | | clarity stone. |
| gemstones absorb light, which maximizes brilliance. | | | | - Carat - Moissanite gravity is about 13 percent |
| The color scale runs from D to Z, with D being | | | | lower than diamonds, and since most jewelry is |
| the most rare and ends with Z. | | | | defined by carat weight, Charles & Covard |
| - Clarity - This is the measurement of a diamond's | | | | also provide a corresponding millimeter size that is |
| flaws. This can include blemishes (external) and | | | | equal to diamond weight. Moissanite has a gravity |
| inclusions (internal) imperfections. Clarity levels | | | | of 3.2 grams per cubic centimeter, therefore a 6.5 |
| range from flawless, very very slight (VVS), very | | | | mm stone equals approximately 0.87 carats. |
| slight (VS) and slightly included (SI). | | | | When these factors are all taken into |
| - Carat - This term is used to express the weight | | | | consideration, fine diamonds and moissanite |
| of a diamond. 1 carat is equal to 200 milligrams or | | | | appear almost identical. Both are clear stones that |
| 0.2 grams. | | | | emit a brilliant fire. So which one is a better buy? |
| MOISSANITE | | | | When it comes down to it, it's really a matter of |
| Discovered in 1893 by Noble Prize winner Dr. | | | | individual choice. |
| Ferdinand Henri Moissan, silicon carbide was found | | | | |