Understanding Moissanites

Let’s give them a little credit. Moissanites are their own gemstone, they aren’t a diamond nor trying to be. However, as some seek the diamond look without the price tag then yes, they are often chosen for this reason. 

The “romantic story” behind Moissanites is that they are actually “from out of this world” well this is what I like to say. In 1893 a French Scientist named Henri Moissan discovered what he thought was a Diamond inside a meteorite crater in Arizona but it was actually silicone-carbide, an extremely rare mineral. 

Now, not to dampen the mood, but Henri spent the rest of his life trying to recreate pure silicon carbide without success. It wasn’t until the late 1990s that researches figured it out and patented the technology. 

Besides Moissanites being a stunning gemstone, they are particularly hard (9/10 Moh scale) making them a perfect option for fine jewellery. 

Polarising to the above, where we are discussing Moissanites away from Diamonds, Moissanites are typically graded in a similar manner to that of Diamonds. We have seen a recent increase in suppliers providing a GRA report which details the colour, clarity, cut and carat of Moissanites, which is nice!

Colour

Moissanites are naturally white, however can sometimes have a green, yellow or greyish hue, so it is important to clarify that the Moissanite that you are purchasing is the highest grade of colourless (D colour), just in case!.

Clarity

Clarity refers to the presence or visibility of imperfections within a diamond/gemstone. As most Moissanites are completely man-made, the clarity of Moissanites are all generally flawless however once again this is something to check before purchasing. 

Cut 

Not referring to the shape of the Moissanite itself, but how well the Moissanite has been cut, proportioned along with its symmetry and polish. This really comes down to the quality or the Moissanite supplier, as some will prefer to cut a larger stone and keep the imperfections, whilst others will cut in such a way that removes any imperfections to provide a flawless Moissanite. 

Carat 

Carat, being the traditional measuring unit of Diamonds and gemstones, it is important to note that it isn’t “apples for apples” when comparing the carat of Diamonds and Moissanites. As an example a 1ct round diamond which usually measures 6.5mm would weigh 0.85ct as a Moissanite, this is a stone with the same visual presence of a 6.5mm. 

Price

In our experience when designing an engagement ring and using a round-cut stone as an example, most people desire a stone with a visual size of around 5.5mm and larger. Again if we use a diamond as an example, this would be a 0.6ct diamond (or 0.54ct Moissanite). For a Moissanite of this size in a classic solitaire setting in 18k gold, prices usually start from $3,100 for the finished piece. 

In summary, Moissanites are an incredible gemstone in their own right. For engagement rings, Moissanites serve as a great option for those wanting a white stone that's robust without the price tag of a diamond, or for those wanting an engagement ring on the larger side of the scale again without the price tag. For everyday jewellery that's a little more elevated but perhaps a trending design, Moissanites serve as a way to design and create high-quality, long-lasting pieces without the large financial commitment.