Different Types of Diamonds
What is Moissanite
Moissanite is a naturally occurring silicon carbide mineral, initially discovered in 1893 by Henri Moissan in the crater left behind after a meteor strike. After Moissan discovered the gemstone, he mistook the rare mineral for a natural diamond; years later, in 1904, scientists realized the mistake and found the mineral to be of an entirely different composition, this one being of silicon carbide. Little to Moissan Knolodge, artificial silicon carbide had been synthesized in a lab two years before his discovery by the American chemist Edward G. Acheson. Until the 1950s, no other natural source of moissanite had been found other than in meteorites; then, in 1958, moissanite was found in the upper mantle of the Green River Formation in Wyoming, and in the following year, 1959, moissanite was found in inclusions in a rock kimberlite from a diamond mine in Yakutia in Russia.
Moissanite, meaning "gemstone of the stars," is extremely rare in its natural form. Today, it is exclusively grown in highly controlled laboratories with extremely advanced technology worldwide. Moissanite is not a diamond but a mineral alternative to natural diamonds. Compositionally, moissanite and diamonds are entirely different. Diamonds are composed of pure carbon and take thousands of years to form, giving them the rarity we see today. All diamonds and their counterparts are given rankings based on refractive index, shape, size, color, and much more; one thing we see in all diamonds is what jewelers call "fire." Fire is the rainbow of light refracted from the diamond underneath the light. Beneficially, moissanite has a much higher refractive index, one that doubles a natural diamond, giving it the "fire" that moissanite is known explicitly to possess. Another notable difference between diamonds and moissanite is their ranking on Moh's hardness scale; diamonds rank as a 10, topping off the list as the hardest mineral known to man, and moissanite ranks 9.25. This slightly less "hard" mineral makes moissanite very suitable for everyday use and exceptionally durable.
Moissanite Versus Natural Diamonds
Moissanite Offers a host of advantages over diamonds. It is more affordable, highly durable, and has a greater refractive index, giving it a unique 'fire' that is its signature. Additionally, it has a smaller carbon footprint as it is grown in a lab, eliminating the need for mining. Below, we compare and contrast a moissanite mineral and a Diamond.
Color
Moissanite
Most moissanite will be grown colorless with perfect clarity, but laboratories can add hues to the mineral, giving them colors such as teal, grey, green, yellow, and black.
Diamonds
Natural diamonds occur in the colorless range, but trace elements like nitrogen and boron can turn them pink, blue, or yellow.
Brilliance
Moissanite
Moissanite is slightly more brilliant than diamonds and does feature more than twice the amount of fire. However, if the moissanite is larger than 1 carat, the difference can be spotted with the naked eye due to a moissanite refractive index of 2.64 to 2.69.
Diamonds
Diamonds are slightly less brilliant and feature two times less fire than moissanite, though they still exhibit scintillation and dispersion. Their refractive index ranges from 2.417 to 2.419.
Durability
Moissanites
Moissanite ranks 9.25 on the Mohs scale, making it appropriate for everyday wear.
Diamonds
Diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring mineral, topping off the Mohs scale at a 10, making them ideal for engagement rings.
Below is the Mohs Hardness Scale for comparison
Price
Moissanite
Moissanite is dramatically lower in price than diamonds of the same carat weight. Much like diamonds, its price is based on the carat and clarity (even though it is lab-grown); however, unlike diamonds, it is also priced based on shape and whether the gemstone is colorless or near-colorless.
Diamonds
Natural diamonds are the most expensive mineral because they are mined from the Earth and take billions of years to form. They are much rarer than moissanite and lab diamonds. In addition to their rarity, diamonds are priced based on the 4Cs (Cut, Clarity, Carat, and Color) and shape.
Sourcing
Moissanite
Moissanite is grown in high-technology laboratories by professionals. Once they are grown, they are cut and polished.
Diamonds
Natural diamonds form deep in the Earth. Massive mining operations are needed to mine them. Once they have been mined, they are cut and polished.
Benefits of Moissanite
Mining is Free
Moissanite is grown in labs with minimal environmental impact
Value
Moissanite is significantly less expensive per carat than many other gemstones.
Durability
Moissanite ranks 9.25 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it appropriate for everyday wear.
