What's Moissanite?

Moissanite is a popular and highly regarded gemstone that is often used as a diamond alternative in jewelry. Here's a description of moissanite:

1. **Composition**: Moissanite is composed of silicon carbide (SiC). It is a naturally occurring mineral, but gem-quality moissanite used in jewelry is typically lab-created due to its rarity in nature.

2. **Hardness**: Moissanite is one of the hardest known minerals, ranking just below diamonds on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. It has a rating of 9.25 on the Mohs scale, making it exceptionally durable and suitable for everyday wear in jewelry.

3. **Brilliance and Fire**: Moissanite exhibits remarkable brilliance and fire, which refers to its ability to disperse light into its spectral colors. This means that moissanite can sparkle and exhibit colorful flashes, making it an attractive choice for engagement rings and other jewelry.

4. **Color**: Pure moissanite is typically colorless, but it can also be found in various shades, including near-colorless and fancy colors like yellow and green. Colorless moissanite is the most popular choice for diamond substitutes.

5. **Clarity**: Moissanite is usually eye-clean, meaning that it has few to no visible inclusions or blemishes to the naked eye. This makes it an appealing choice for those seeking a clear and flawless gemstone.

6. **Affordability**: One of the key advantages of moissanite is its affordability compared to natural diamonds. It offers a visually similar appearance to diamonds at a significantly lower price point.

7. **Sustainability**: Lab-created moissanite is considered an environmentally responsible choice, as it doesn't involve the mining process associated with natural diamonds. It is a more sustainable and ethical option for those concerned about the environmental and social impact of the jewelry industry.

8. **Cut and Shape**: Moissanite can be cut into various shapes and sizes, just like diamonds. Popular shapes include round brilliant, princess, oval, and cushion, among others.

9. **Versatility**: Moissanite can be used in various types of jewelry, including engagement rings, earrings, pendants, and more. It can be set in a variety of metals, such as platinum, white gold, yellow gold, or rose gold.

In summary, moissanite is a lab-created gemstone known for its exceptional hardness, brilliance, and fire. It offers an affordable and sustainable alternative to natural diamonds and is favored for its versatility and ethical considerations in the jewelry industry.