5 Differences Between Diamonds and Moissanite
Moissanite has been classified as a scarce and rare mineral since its discovery in a meteorite crater in 1893, adding to its appeal to both jewelers and consumers. Moissanite is regularly used as an alternative to diamond in jewelry, and many people cannot tell the difference between the two gemstones. However, it is possible to distinguish them from each other. If you are wondering whether to use moissanite to make jewelry or if you want to learn more about the stone and its synergy with a diamond, here are 5 key points. differences between diamond and moissanite:
Moissanite is a diamond?
No, moissanite is not a diamond. To know what moissanite really is, you must first study its origin, chemical formula, and also its refractive index. However, at the moment it is a completely different mineral than diamond.
Moissanite may seem almost identical to diamond, but they are definitely not the same. If you’re wondering if moissanite is actually a natural gemstone, the truth is that it is. However, given how rare moissanite is, it is mostly produced synthetically.
Moissanite Meaning
Is moissanite a valuable mineral? The price you pay for moissanite can vary considerably. The cost of moissanite is only a small fraction of the cost of a diamond. The price of moissanite stones really depends only on the size. A moissanite stone typically sells for 10 to 15 percent of the price of a diamond of the same cut and clarity.
hardness
Both consumers and jewelry manufacturers prefer harder stones due to their ability to withstand impact and accidents without scratching. This is part of the attractiveness of diamonds, rated at 10 on the Mohs scale. Moissanite is not much different. He scored 9.5 points Mohs scale which is higher than all other gemstones except diamond.
Color and clarity
Does moissanite look like a diamond? Diamonds can be classified by color, but moissanite cannot. Instead, it is classified by its proximity to colorless.
1st class: Colorless (DEF)
This is class 2: Almost colorless (GHI)
3rd degree: Muted Color (JK)
When it comes to inclusions, moissanite can usually have needle-sized inclusions invisible to the naked eye.
The vast majority of gems actually have inclusions because they are part of the crystal structure and are unique to each gem. Inclusions can be seen under magnification, but they do not impair clarity.
moissanite such rare mineral that it is usually produced in laboratories. This means that the appearance of the stones can be controlled in the laboratory, as any internal defects that could affect transparency are eliminated.
Brightness
One area in which moissanite outperforms diamond is in brightness. It is known for its superior ability to reflect white light compared to diamond. It has a gloss refractive index of 2.65 to 2.69 while diamonds have refractive index 2.42. The sheen of moissanite is exactly what makes it shine because it doesn’t get as dirty. It stays shiny longer purges.
If you want to compare the brilliance of moissanite with gemstones other than diamond, here are some examples below:
Emerald: 1.58
Sapphire: 1.77
Ruby: 1.77