Moissanite Diamond Education
Moissanite Diamonds:
Moissanite, discovered by French chemist Henri Moissan in 1893, is a captivating gemstone renowned for its brilliance and durability. Initially found in a meteorite crater in Arizona, natural moissanite is exceptionally rare.
Today, most moissanite in jewelry is lab-created through advanced methods, mirroring its natural counterpart. Its exceptional hardness, ranking close to diamonds on the Mohs scale, ensures lasting beauty. Composed of silicon carbide, moissanite exhibits remarkable fire and sparkle, rivaling diamonds. Ethically sourced and more affordable, it has become a popular choice, particularly in engagement rings. The controlled creation of moissanite in labs ensures its availability and allows for stunning, responsibly-sourced gemstones to adorn fine jewelry pieces.
Moissanite Color Grading:
Moissanites are color-graded on a scale that ranges from colorless to faintly tinted. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) uses a grading scale from D (colorless) to K (faint color) to assess the color of moissanite. Unlike diamonds, moissanites often exhibit a slight yellow or greenish hue, especially in larger stones. The color grading is based on the amount of color visible to the naked eye. D-grade moissanites are considered colorless, while those in the G to K range may show faint color. It's important to note that the color scale for moissanites is different from that of diamonds, and certain individuals may prefer the unique characteristics of moissanite's color spectrum.
The 4 Cs:
The 4Cs represent the essential criteria used to evaluate and describe the quality of a diamond. They are:
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Carat Weight:
- Refers to the diamond's size or weight.
- One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams.
- Moissanite are measured in millimeters, and may vary depending on the cut.
- Larger diamonds generally have a higher carat weight.
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Cut:
- Describes how well a diamond's facets interact with light
- The cut grades are Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, and Excellent.
- A well-cut diamond reflects light brilliantly, creating sparkle and brilliance.
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Color:
- Grades the absence of color in a diamond.
- The scale ranges from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown).
- Colorless diamonds are more valued, as they allow more light to pass through.
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Clarity:
- Evaluates the presence of internal and external flaws (inclusions and blemishes).
- Graded from Flawless (no imperfections visible under 10x magnification) to Included (imperfections visible to the naked eye).