Welcome to Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry! Today, we're diving into the sparkling world of moissanite, the perfect choice for those seeking to have a stunning colorless stone in their engagement ring that is kind on both the environment and your wallet. This gemstone has been capturing hearts for its beauty, affordability, and eco-friendly attributes. If you're in the market for an engagement ring that shines as bright as your love, keep reading to discover why moissanite might be your perfect match.
What is Moissanite?
Moissanite is a gemstone born from the stars. Originally discovered in a meteor crater, moissanite is now expertly lab-created to deliver a gem that rivals the brilliance of diamonds. Known for its exceptional fire and brilliance, moissanite is a top contender for those looking to invest in a beautiful and ethically sourced engagement ring.
What is Moissanite Made Of?
Moissanite can be natural or lab-created. In its raw form, it consists of silicon carbide (SiC) and comes from meteorites, making natural moissanite extremely rare. Instead, most jewelers use synthesized, lab-created gems made from silicon carbide crystals grown in controlled environments using high heat and pressure. Whether natural or synthetic, the unique properties of moissanite make it a popular gem.
How is Moissanite Made?
A newer gem to the jewelry industry, natural moissanite has been on the scene since 1893. That’s when its namesake, Henri Moissan, discovered microscopic particles of what he at first believed were diamonds in a crater found in Arizona at the scene of a meteorite strike. With more testing and inspection, he realized that what he was viewing was something never seen before, and the moissanite definition was born.
Natural Moissanite Formation
Natural moissanite is a cosmic particle. Unlike diamonds, which are made of carbon, moissanite consists of silicon carbide, properties that originate in space under high-pressure and heated conditions that bond silicon and carbon atoms. It takes a very specific environment to forge this crystal, and then we must wait until a meteorite lands on Earth to find it naturally. Rarely, we can find a similar version of moissanite within rocks like kimberlites and lamproites.
Synthetic Moissanite Formation
Because of the scarcity of natural moissanite, scientists have learned how to make this gem in labs, and that’s where most of the gems found in jewelry come from. This process not only makes it more affordable, but it takes away the “is moissanite ethical” question. No mining is necessary, and you can easily trace the origins of your gemstone.
The Beauty of Moissanite
One of the most remarkable features of moissanite is its brilliance. This gem exhibits a higher refractive index than diamonds, meaning it bends light more effectively to create a dazzling sparkle. This brilliance, combined with its exceptional clarity, makes moissanite a standout choice for engagement rings.
The unsurpassable brilliance of moissanites, shown in direct sunlight.
Why Choose Moissanite?
1. Eco-Friendly and Ethical
Moissanite is a lab-created gemstone, meaning it doesn't require mining. This process significantly reduces the environmental impact compared to traditional diamond mining. For environmentally conscious couples, moissanite offers a different way to symbolize your love.
2. Budget-Friendly
One of the most appealing aspects of moissanite is its affordability. Moissanite engagement rings are often a fraction of the price of natural diamond and lab-grown diamond rings, allowing you to get a larger, more brilliant stone for your budget. This cost-effectiveness doesn't compromise on quality or beauty.
3. Durability
Moissanite is incredibly durable, making it perfect for daily wear. With a rating of 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale, it’s second only to diamonds in terms of hardness. This durability ensures that your moissanite engagement ring will withstand the test of time.
Moissanite Quality
Although most of the moissanite gems you’ll see today are synthetic, the quality varies. The best stones receive Excellent or Very Good ratings, depending on their 4C ratings that determine the gem’s brilliance, fire, and color grade. The popularity of lab-created moissanite is, in part, due to its similarity to diamonds, so gems with a colorless or near-colorless appearance (labeled in the D-I range) are considered of the highest quality. Look for quality moissanite with an FL-VS clarity range for minimal flaws, and shop at jewelers who provide grading and certification.
What are the 4Cs?
What is moissanite evaluated with in terms of the 4Cs? Similar to its near-twin diamonds, we measure this gem by cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. The main difference is that carat weight is shown in millimeters because it’s not as dense as a diamond, so it can be the same size but weigh less.
Moissanite Cut
“Cut” refers to how a gem is shaped and faceted. Skilled cutters use techniques to turn a rough gem into a breathtaking, sparkling jewel full of visual appeal. Moissanite cut is judged using:
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Faceting: how the gem maximizes light for sparkle and brilliance,
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Proportions: how the gem is cut for table size, crown height, girdle thickness, depth, pavilion depth, and other measurements
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Symmetry: the overall appeal of the symmetrical elements and how they interact with light
Moissanite Color
Moissanite is frequently mistaken for diamonds because of its near-colorlessness. But this gem can be found in many hues. Colorless ranges from a grade of D-F, while warmer grades are labeled G-I and J-K. “D” is the most colorless, and therefore, most valuable, and more color is visible the further down the grading range you go.
Moissanite Clarity
As with diamonds, clarity is graded from Flawless to Included. Near flawless means there are eye-clean stones with no visible internal flaws (inclusions). Flawed can mean there is either an inclusion or an external blemish, or both.
Carat Weight
Moissanite gems are measured by size instead of weight because they have a lower density than diamonds. To find a comparable gem for your ring, you’d take the diamond's carat weight and look for its moissanite counterpart. As a general rule, 1 carat of diamonds is equivalent to a 6.5 mm moissanite.
A 6.5mm moissanite, for example, is comparable in size to a 1-carat diamond but weighs less.
Moissanite vs. Diamond: A Comparison
While diamonds have long been the traditional choice for engagement rings, moissanite offers a compelling alternative. Here's a quick comparison:
- Brilliance: Moissanite has more fire and brilliance than diamonds.
- Price: Moissanite is significantly more affordable.
- Durability: Both stones are highly durable, but diamonds are slightly harder.
- Ethics: Moissanite is lab-created, ensuring no environmental damage or ethical concerns, however, you still need to consider the energy requirements for production.
Tips on Selecting a Moissanite
The question of, “Moissanite what is it and how can you tell if it’s good quality,” is important to ask before you shop.
The four C’s will help you know whether the moissanite gem you’re looking at is worth the price tag or not. Start by determining your budget and style preference, and search for moissanite jewelry within that umbrella. Be sure to shop at reputable jewelry stores that provide grading reports and use ethical sourcing.
Once you’ve found jewelry within your budget and preferences, use these tips to narrow down the perfect stone for you:
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Valuable stones are well-cut for optimal light interplay and brilliance, making round and oval the most sought-after.
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Colorless grades of D-F give you that diamond-like appearance.
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Look for clarity grades of a VVS1 or VVS2 to show that there are minimal visible flaws.
You can always increase gem quality and adjust the price range by searching for different band materials, such as moving from 18k gold to 14k.
Custom Moissanite Engagement Rings in Seattle
At Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry, we specialize in creating custom moissanite engagement rings that reflect your unique style and love story. Whether you prefer a classic solitaire, a vintage-inspired design, or a modern setting, our team is here to bring your vision to life. We can set a moissanite into any style you see on our website.
Visit Us in Seattle
Ready to see the brilliance of moissanite for yourself? Visit our Seattle showroom to explore our collection of moissanite engagement rings. Our knowledgeable staff is here to help you find the perfect ring that aligns with your values and budget.
Final Thoughts
Moissanite engagement rings offer a beautiful, affordable, and ethical alternative to traditional diamond rings. Perfect for the modern couple, moissanite combines exceptional brilliance with eco-friendly credentials. Visit Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry in Seattle to discover the magic of moissanite and find the perfect ring for your love story.
Thank you for exploring the world of moissanite with us. We look forward to helping you find the engagement ring of your dreams!
Moissanite FAQ
How is moissanite made?
Moissanite can be natural or synthetic. Natural moissanite is made of silicon carbide, formed under high pressure and heat. This material comes from cosmic meteorites that have entered Earth. Lab-created moissanite uses the same chemical composition to create gems under high pressure and heat in a controlled environment.
How long does moissanite last?
Moissanite has a high scratch-resistance (9.25 on Mohs hardness scale, almost as high as diamonds), and will last through daily wear without fading or chipping. With maintenance and care, your moissanite jewelry can become a family heirloom for generations.
Is moissanite a precious stone?
No, moissanite is not considered to be a precious stone, which is a label given to diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. Instead, it is semi-precious. The difference depends on tradition, rarity, and value. Since moissanite is now mainly created in labs, it is not considered precious.
Does moissanite get cloudy?
As with any gem, moissanite can get externally dull, but it will not permanently cloud. Cloudiness is based on an internal chemical breakdown. Moissanite is durable enough to resist this damage. However, surface dullness from exposure to daily wear happens, and can be easily cleaned to bring the gem back to its brilliance.