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Moissanite: Imitation Diamonds from Space Feature Spectacular Fire

One of the hottest new trends in jewelry, moissanite was borne from the stars to earth by a meteorite. Contained in a meteor crater discovered in Canyon Diablo, Arizona, the crystal was studied by French scientist Dr. Ferdinand Frederick Henri Moissan, a Nobel Prize winner for chemistry. Dr. Moissan, after which the crystal is named, observed the stone's sparkle and mistakenly thought it to be diamonds. However, with further study, he realized this new discovery was actually composed of a rare mineral form "silicon carbide" unlike diamonds which are made of carbon.

In fact, the crystal in the natural form is rarer than diamonds, having only been discovered in a small variety of places. In terms of hardness, it is only second to diamonds on the Mohs scale and harder than rubies and sapphires, as well as cubic zirconia, which can be damaged relatively easily. The crystal's remarkable dispersion, or fire, creates a brilliance that outshines even the diamond. Its ability to break light into many spectral colors gives it 2.4 times the fire of a diamond.

However, because moissanite's occurrence in nature is so rare, it made it impossible to produce enough to create jewelry like its counterparts, which are mined from places around the world. Instead, the properties of silicon carbide were synthesized in a lab, making it the only commercially viable source of the mineral.

In addition to moissanite's brilliance and availability via lab production, it possesses a lower specific gravity than diamonds, making it 13 percent lighter than diamonds by volume, according to jewelry sources. These unique properties translate to a larger gem of equivalent carat weight and clarity. For example, a one carat round brilliant cut diamond cut to ideal proportions is generally 6.5mm wide, while a one carat moissanite measures approximately 6.7 in diameter. Its clarity compares to a VS diamond with I-J-K color in the diamond grading scale.

With such high grading properties, the gem is the new choice for many women who love the brilliance and beauty of diamonds. Resistant to scratching, abrasion, breaking and chipping, it stands the test of time. Women around the world are discovering the "other diamond," including celebrities Brooke Shields, Minnie Driver, Marc Anthony, and Nancy O'Dell of Access Hollywood. Its sparkle is also making appearances in some of today's biggest fashion and lifestyle magazines such as Vanity Fair, Vogue and Destination Weddings.

It is also finding favor with those who prefer a green and responsible approach to the world and their jewelry. For those who shy away from diamonds because of environmental or social justice concerns, moissanite offers an attractive Earth-friendly alternative.

For engaged couples who love the look of diamonds but may be concerned about the cost, the crystal is also is gaining recognition as an affordable choice for engagement and wedding rings. While it is less expensive than diamonds, it is just as durable and features more brilliance than a diamond. When considering the gem, make sure to examine a moissanite ring under a variety of lighting conditions, as some can appear slightly green or gray rather than colorless.

Care for moissanite jewelry is similar to the care given other fine pieces. Take precautions not to wear jewelry while doing rough work to avoid sharp blows. The jewelry may be cleaned in a similar manner as other pieces, including the use of jewelry cleaner and an ultrasonic cleaner.

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