What You Should Know Before Buying a Moissanite Gemstone
If you are thinking of an ideal alternative to diamonds, you have come to the right place. Moissanite provides several top-quality features at a lower price than its counterpart. But, how did this gemstone gain a worldwide presence? It all began in 1893. Henri Moissan, the famous French Chemist, Pharmacist, and Nobel Prize winner, discovered particles of this mineral, also known as Silicon Carbide (SiC), in Canyon Diablo, Arizona.
The natural formation of this natural compound is so rare that scientists grow it in the lab to produce large crystals that are further cut into smaller gemstones. Although moissanite bears semblance to diamonds, there are dissimilarities in its physical, optical, and thermal properties. On the Mohs hardness scale, moissanite has a rating of 9.5, making it the only closest mineral to diamond and the second toughest gemstone in the world. Hence, it offers you a lifetime of companionship.
It Gets More Interesting
Still, on the topic of hardness, moissanite is resistant to wear and tear. You do not have to worry about your gemstone having scratches, chips, and cracks. It can also withstand heat, making it easy for you to wear all through the day without the need to take it off now and then. In terms of optical display, the crystal reflects more light than its counterpart (diamond), thanks to its double-refractive properties. When light rays pass through it, they bend and divide into two to form a broader colour spectrum known as the rainbow effect. Consequently, you can tell a moissanite ring from a diamond ring, as the former sparkles more than the latter.
Debunking the Fake Diamond belief
“Are moissanite gemstones fake diamonds or replicas?” you may ask. Some individuals have held this notion for too long, likening moissanite to the Ring Pop candy. Moissanites are not diamonds or replicas. They are a set of unique gemstones grown in the lab and are not related to their counterparts. Most jewel users find these three options when selecting the ideal gem for their accessories: naturally-mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, and moissanite stones. Just like other precious minerals, you need the right cut, colour, and clarity to bring out the optimum appearance (fire) in a moissanite stone.
Moissanite Gemstones Have an Ethical Background
Unlike blood diamonds with a grisly background hinged on civil unrest and human rights violations, moissanite rocks have a clean historical record. Hence, you do not have to worry about purchasing a gemstone mined with questionable work ethics. How about lab-grown diamonds? Although these gemstones do not have a dark history, they do not come cheap, as well. While you may need to spend $560 on a one-carat moissanite gemstone, you may end up paying $300 to $400 extra for a diamond equivalent.
Even when you think it still sounds like a good deal, you pay more for less, as lab diamonds are on par with a moissanite crystal or slightly lesser. Moissanites are unique and offer you a lifetime service, regardless of its exposure to weather elements. You can clean your gemstone easily, using a bowl of warm soapy water and a small brush. Your shiny rock will always look brand new.
