The technology and benefits of Moissanite versus Diamonds

Brilliant, durable and near-colorless diamond and moissanite are often compared at About Time Watch & Jewelry. However, under closer inspection, you can see that these two type of stones have many key differences. The most significant difference is that moissanite and diamond are two entirely different jewels that also have distinctly different chemical compositions, physical characteristics and optical properties. Moissanite's chemical composition is composed of silicon carbide and diamond is composed of carbon. While both strongly sparkle, moissanite actually has even a higher brilliance than diamond when you compare refractive indices. Moissanite's specific measurement of brilliance or refractive index (RI) of 2.65-2.69 is about 10% higher than diamond's RI of 2.42. Also, not only does moissanite have a higher brilliance than diamond, but the dispersion (fire) of moissanite is measured at 0.104 which is nearly two and a half times more than diamond's (0.044). Strangely interestingly is that diamond has a natural affinity to grease and therefore it easily attracts grease which builds up on diamond's surface and can reduce appearance. Moissanite is less likely to attract grease and continues to sparkle brightly even when it hasn't been cleaned in a long time. Another benefit of moissanite is it is more durable than diamond and less likely to cleave into two pieces when force is applied.

Moissanite has significantly more heat resistance when compared to diamond – when diamond and moissanite are both placed in a high temperature oven and the oven is increased and a flow of oxygen is introduced, as the oven reaches 1100°C, the diamond catches fire and begins to vaporize. Even if the heat to the oven is turned off, the diamond will continue to burn until it has completely vaporized. The moissanite jewel remains unaffected like the day it was created.

If all of this is not enough, the real sad part is that in today's world commonly promoted engagement ring diamonds are lower in quality, and moissanite's exceptional cutting is clearly evident. The facts are that moissanite out shines many diamonds, moissanite is a superior choice for beautiful, unique jewelry.

Below are the scientific parameters on Moissanite;

Strength

1. The diamond is the hardest element on Earth which rates a 10 on the Mohrs scale (the industry standard for measuring gem strength). Moissanite is second rating at 9.25 on the Mohrs scale.

Fire

2. Fire refers to a gem's ability to disperse white light into spectrum colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet). Moissanite manufacturer Charles & Colvard shows reports that its stone's fire has a dispersion of 0.104, which is almost 2.4 times higher than a diamond.

Brilliance

3. Brilliance is how well a stone reflects white light, Charles & Colvard ranks moissanite at a refractive index of 2.65-2.69 and ranks the diamond at 2.42.

Girdle

4. A girdle is the edge that encircles the crown of a cut stone. Gridles are usually almost never polished on a diamond, but on moissanite they are always polished.

Color

5. A study and report by the Diamond Nexus Labs states it is not possible to create a pure white moissanite, which can appear slightly green or gray. Although very rare and extremely expensive, pure white diamonds do exist. Common diamonds that people wear almost always have a yellowish cast.

Cost

6. Estimates at the time of this writing are that moissanite costs around $525.00 per carat. Diamond costs depends on its cut, color, clarity and number of carats. The most expensive one ever sold was bought in Hong Kong in 2007 by London's Moussaieff Jewellers. It paid $7.98 million for a 6.04 diamond. Cost per carat? $1.32 million.

Toughness

7. Both moissanite and diamonds are extremely tough gems. They can last for generations since they are usable for everyday wear.