Everyone says that diamonds are the most lovable and precious stone for women. But what if a stone appears just like diamond even with more brilliance and less expensive? Sounds interesting, right?
Here in this blog, we’ll talk about Moissanite, an alternative of diamond. To know further about moissanite, give this blog a complete read. So before we move forward, let’s get started with…
What Exactly Moissanite Is?
Moissanite is one of the rarest and naturally occurring lab-grown minerals which is made up of silicon carbide. It is extremely rare in nature and was discovered over a century ago at a meteorite strike site in Arizona and has the same appearance as diamonds.
Later, scientists created a thermal growing process to make silicon carbide crystals that ended up making moissanite in a laboratory. Research has revealed that moissanite is naturally found as inclusions in diamonds, xenoliths, kimberlite, and lamproite.
As we have discussed this, let’s move forward to…
Can Moissanite Walk Parallel With A Diamond?
The answer to this question is very clear, “YES!” Moissanite can walk along with a diamond in every usual way. Moissanite meets diamond’s every properties including, brilliance, color, sparkle, durability and hardness. The only difference between both the stone is just their affordability.
A natural diamond's cost is a result of several factors, including labor, mining equipment, manufacturing, cutting, polishing, production, and retail prices, given its difficult acquisition procedure. However, moissanite imbues your colorless moissanite ring with the brilliance of a diamond without the costly price tag.
Besides the cost differential, moissanites are easily mistaken for diamonds. The two are not distinguishable from one another with the unaided eye. Gemologists can check for moissanite with a diamond tester or by looking at it under a 10x magnification. The authenticity of Moissanite is confirmed and verified when it passes the diamond tester.
Does Moissanite and Diamond Looks Similar?
Because of its chemical and physical similarities to diamonds, moissanite has a diamond-like appearance. The difference cannot be seen by the naked eye unless moissanite is examined at a 10x magnification. When exposed to light, the nearly colorless or slightly gray, green, or yellow tinge that occurs in moissanite can be seen.
The GIA even recognized moissanite as the gemstone that most closely resembles a diamond in terms of characteristics, look, and properties. Still, moissanite is a class apart, even though it was formerly referred to as a "space diamond."
The distinction between moissanite and diamond is availability, notwithstanding their natural origins. Because natural diamonds are abundant and can be mined, they occur naturally on Earth's surface.
However, in the late 1800s, a meteor containing the material crashed on Earth, leading to the discovery of moissanite, also known as silicon carbide. Because natural moissanite occurs just once in a lifetime, it is created artificially in laboratories, which makes it environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Because moissanites are identical to diamonds in terms of shapes, sizes, and cuts, even skilled jewelers occasionally find it difficult to distinguish between the two. Additionally, as a result of ongoing technological advancements, moissanite is being manufactured with increasingly advanced tools and machinery, improving both its composition and look.
So how you can identify between moissanite and diamond? let’s check this out!
How To Spot The Difference Between Moissanite and Diamond?
Trained professional, such jewelers, can quickly distinguish between moissanite and diamond by examining them under a 10x magnification. Similar to diamonds, moissanite has very minute inclusions, however since diamonds do not have inclusions, it is simpler to identify the stone.
Let’s check how to spot the difference!
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Brilliance and Refraction:
Take note of both stones' brightness if you'd like to try telling the difference with your unaided eyes. The two gemstones have a similar fire, although they nonetheless have a slightly differing brilliance rate. Any direction of light entering a diamond stone will not cause it to divide, identifying it as a singularly refractive stone.
Conversely, light passing through moissanite divides into two rays, which results in a double refractive index. Because of its twofold refraction, moissanite exhibits a rainbow-like or disco ball-like display of colors and fire.
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Use A Diamond Tester:
By measuring the amount of heat that passes through a stone, diamond testers can determine whether or not it is a true diamond. Gemstones that are not moissanite will have trouble passing the test since heat moves through them more slowly.
However, moissanite can be distinguished from diamonds because to its similarity in heat absorption capability and ability. Some diamond testers analyze gemstones using electricity in addition to heat tests; however, electrical indicators only identify whether a stone has the characteristics of a diamond, not the name of the stone.
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Size of the Gemstone:
A similarity between moissanite and diamond is the direct correlation between their colors and sizes. More color visibility occurs in larger stones, which facilitates faster and simpler distinction. Unlike diamonds, moissanite stones particularly the center stone in colorless moissanite engagement rings have a set weight per carat. It is simpler to distinguish the two stones since skilled jewelers or shoppers can distinguish differences in the two stones' weight, size, and color.
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Color:
One of the other key difference between the two stones is their color. Diamonds are often colorless and flawlessly white. A diamond is always colorless, even though they might have different tints of white. Conversely, moissanite comes in three different forms: colorless, nearly colorless, and colored, like cyan blue, yellow, green, or gray.
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Price Point of View:
As per the price point, diamonds are sourced naturally, they are usually expensive. On the other hand, even if moissanite price vary according to the gemstone’s cut, clarity, color, shape, and size, the final price will always be more reasonable than a diamond.
Wrapping Up With:
Instead of just being a cheaper substitute for diamonds, colorless moissanite is an equally beautiful gemstone. You won't be able to tell the difference between them unless you have specialized equipment or see a jeweler. And here in this blog, we have discussed various ways to spot the difference between the moissanite and diamond.
Moissanite is a cost-effective or less expensive alternative to diamond due to breaks, chips, durability, and resistance to scratches. In addition to this, it is ethically sourced which makes it conflict-free option. So are you ready to explore your ideal moissanite ring?