Imagine a gemstone that comes from the stars instead of from Earth. Sounds pretty special, right? This rare mineral was discovered in Arizona by Henri Moissan in 1893 while examining rock samples from a meteor crater. Henri Moissan initially believed the crystals to be diamonds, but he officially identified them as silicon carbide – 2 years later, they discovered the ability to synthesize the chemical components to produce Moissanite in a lab.
In its natural form, Moissanite is extremely rare & has only been discovered in a small variety of places – including found in the inclusions in mined diamonds.
Natural moissanite deposits have also been found around the world in Wyoming and in certain parts of Russia. However, due to the limited supply of naturally occurring moissanite on earth, the moissanite used for jewelry nowadays is produced in a lab environment.
Unlike some other gemstones, which can degrade in appearance over time, moissanite does not become cloudy with age.
Over time, dirt, oils, and other substances can build up on the surface of moissanite, making it appear cloudy. However, this can be cleaned away without affecting the true appearance of the gemstone.
Yes. Moissanite is a very strong, long-lasting gemstone. Studies in high-pressure research have shown that moissanite is highly resistant to breaking & chipping. Moissanite should last for your entire life without losing its appearance or incurring damage. If you choose a setting that’s made from a high-quality metal such as platinum or gold, a moissanite ring will last for a very long time.
The most effective way to tell moissanite apart from a diamond is to use a loupe to look through the top, or the crown, of the jewel at an angle. You will see two slightly blurred lines that indicate double refraction, an inherent quality of moissanite. Double refraction is easier to see in some shapes than in others.
Moissanite will not lose its sparkle as time passes. The clarity & color of the stone won’t change through the years. Dirt & grime are the only common elements that may inhibit a ring’s sparkle until it is cleaned. Damaging the surface of moissanite can inhibit sparkle, as it would for any gemstone.
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