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Moissanite is a near colorless, durable jewel with incredible brilliance and fire. Moissanite is a popular alternative to more expensive diamond. Moissanite is not a created diamond, cubic zirconia nor a diamond simulant.
History of Moissanite
Moissanite got its name from Dr. Henri Moissan, Nobel Laureate. In 1893, Dr. Moissan detected diamond like deposits in a 50,000 year old metoer from Diablo Canyon, Arizona. The mineral he found is Silicon carbide. In 1905 this compound was named Moissanite in his honor. Moissanite is extremely rare in nature.
In 1980s, a company name Cree Research developed a process to grow large Silicon Carbide crystals. In the summer of 1995, a master diamond cutter observed samples of Moissanite and suggested that a properly cut crystal would make a brilliant new jewel. Scientists from Cree Research and Charles & Colvard began a three years mission to bring the fire and brilliance of Moissanite jewels to the consumers.
Moissanite jewelry was introduced to the market place in the summer of 1998. Today, Moissanite is created exclusively by Charles & Colvard.
Charles & Colvard
Charles & Colvard is the exclusive manufacturer of created Moissanite and is head-quartered in North Carolina.
The following excerpt best describes Charles & Colvard’s principal business:
Charles & Colvard manufacture, market, and distribute Charles & Colvard created Moissanite Jewels , also called Moissanite, for sale in the worldwide jewelry market. Moissanite, also known byt its chemical name, Silicon carbide (SiC), is a rare, naturally occurring mineral found primarily in meteors. As the sole manufacturer of scientifically made moissanite jewels, Charles & Colvard strategy is to establish Charles & Colvard as a reputable, high quality and sophisticated brand and position moissanite as a unique jewel, distinct from all others based on its exceptional fire, brilliance, luster, durability, and rarity. Moissanite is marketed to its primary target market, the self-purchasing woman, as the perfect reward or indulgence for a woman celebrating her achievements, whether personal or professional, big or small. Moissanite is also marketed to the jewelry trade as a new jewelry category with a unique business opportunity.
Charles & Colvard owns patents for Moissanite manufacturing and its use as a jewel.
Moissanite Shapes and Sizes
Created Moissanite is available in over a dozen shapes. The Most popular is round Brilliant
Moissanite is available in 13 different shapes or cuts. While moissanite is manufactured in millimeter sizes, it is often described by jewelers in terms of carats weight.
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Shape
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Number of Facets
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Sizes (millimeter “mm”)
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Cushion
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81
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2 - 12
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Heart
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56
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3 x 3 - 10 - 10
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Marquise
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57
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4 x 2 - 14 x 7
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Octagon
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73
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2 - 9.5
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Oval
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69
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4 x 2 - 14 x 10.5
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Pear
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73
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5 x 3 - 12 x 8
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Radiant
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53
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4 x 2 - 14 x 12
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Round Brilliant
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57
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2 - 15
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Square Brilliant
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69
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2 x 2 - 10 x 10
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Triangle
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37
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2.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 - 9.5 x 9.5x 9.5
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Trillion
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43
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2.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 - 11 x 11 x 11
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Castle
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57
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3.5 - 8
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Princess
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57
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4 - 10
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According to Charles & Colvard, the sole manufacturer of Moissanite, each moissanite jewel is precisely calibrated and hand cut. There is only one quality; “very good”, of moissanite that is distributed to the public. The most popular shape of moissanite is round brilliant.
Of all the moissanite shapes, round brilliant moissanite’s optical properties convey the greatest brilliance. This brilliance de-emphasize the slightly yellow.greenish gray tint that all moissanite jewels possess. Cushion cut moissanite and oval cut moissanite also maintain a high level of brilliance, but less so than round brilliant shaped moissanite.
Conversely, the square brilliant moissanite and fancy shapes (such as pear, marquise and trillion shapes) provides less brilliance and ‘hold more color’ to the naked eye. This phenomenon is a direct result of how the cut of a moissanite jewel reflects or leaks light.
Moissanite Certificates
Make sure when you purchase a Moissanite jewelry, a unique Charles & Colvard Certificate is included with your moissanite purchase and mail-in lifetime warranty card. A sample image of the moissanite certificate is shown for your reference.
How do you know you are purchasing Moissanite, and not another colorless gemstone? Look for the official Charles & Colvard Certificate of Authenticity. Each certificate of authenticity has a unique serial number printed on the inside. Charles & Colvard certifies that every moissanite jewel:
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“has been manufactured in Charles & Colvard controlled facilities and has been produced by highly skilled specialists using the latest technology. Moissanite jewels are released for sale only after having met stringent quality control specifications.”
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Appraisals are NOT Certificates
Charles & Colvard is the only company that issues certificates for Moissanite. You might see appraisal documents from various retailers, but an appraisal is an estimate of an jewelry item’s value, not a certificate of authenticity. No major gemstone grading Lab (GIA, EGL, AGS) provides reports for Moissanite.
Moissanite Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight
The Moissanite “4 Cs”
Learn how the 4 Cs of gemstone apply to moissanite
Diamond buyers are familiar with the “4 Cs”; Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat Weight, which determine the price of diamond. How does Moissanite rate in these characteristics?
Moissanite Cut
Each Moissanite jewel begins life as a large Silicon Carbide, SiC, crystal. Once the crystal is grown according to a propiety thermal process, it is carefully calibrated and hand-cut.
The scientists at Charles & Colvard have determined the best cuts for each Moissanite jewel shape. These cuts do not correspond to popular cuts for diamonds, sapphires, and other precious gemstones. Since Moissanite and diamonds are fundamentally different, jewelers use different cutting techniques to maximize brilliance and clarity. If you cut a round brilliant moissanite jewel according to the specifications of an “ideal cut” diamond, the result would be poor.
Each Moissanite jewel is hand cut to specifications that maximize the appearance and beauty of Moissanite. This special hand-cut faceting gives each moissanite jewel an unbelievable brilliance and fire. Moissanite Color
Charles & Colvard expressly refrain from grading Moissanite according to the popular color scale for diamonds. However, moissanite retailers and customers report that the color of moissanite compares to diamonds of I - J color. Moissanite Clarity
The Clarity of Moissanite is clean to the eye and can be generally compared to a ‘VS1’ diamond. Clarity does not vary by shape nor size of moissanite jewels. Each moissanite jewel contains small inclusions, The most common inclusions are whitish needle shape structures, VS or lower in appearance. These run sub-parallel to one another and are typically 85 - 92 degrees to the table. The inclusions bifurcate. Moissanite Carat Weight
Moissanite’ specific gravity is slightly lower than diamonds. Since most jewelry is sold by carat weight, Charles & Colvard provide a corresponding mm sizes and “diamond equivalent weight” guide. Moissanite is 13% less dense than diamonds.
Moissanite Versus Precious Gemstones
Discover Moissanite’s superior hardness, brilliance, and dispersion when compared to ruby, sapphire, and diamonds
Compare Moissanite to diamonds and sapphires
Moissanite has more brilliance and luster than diamond. Learn how Moissanite compares to diamonds and sapphires in beauty, durability and specific gravity.
Consumers often compare moissanite to diamond, another near colorless stone with beauty and durability. The only jewel harder than moissanite is diamond. Moissanite foes not fade, cloud, change color nor look different from the day you purchase it. Moissanite is at 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale. Diamond is 10.
Unlike diamonds, moissansite jewels are doubly refractive. this means that light is bent twice as it passes through the moissasnite jewel. This double refraction is directly responsible for moissanite’s superior brilliance. You can see this with a 10x loupe. Peer through the facets from the sides of a moissansite stone. Do not look directly through the table of a moissasnite stone; the double refraction is less apparent as seen from this angle.
Comparison Chart: Beauty, Durability, and Specific Gravity
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Beauty
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Beauty
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Beauty
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Durability
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Durability
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Specific Gravity
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Brilliance
Refractive Index
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Fire
Dispersion
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Luster
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Hardness
MOHS
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Toughness
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Moissanite
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2.65 - 2.69
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0.104
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20.4%
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9.25
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Excellent
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3.21
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Diamond
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2.42
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0.044
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17.2%
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10.00
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Excellent *
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3.52
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Sapphire
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1.77
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0.018
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7.4%
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9.00
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Excellent *
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4.00
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* Except good in Cleavage Direction
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Moissanite Carat Weight
Moissanite’s specific gravity is slightly lower than diamonds. Since most jewelry is sold by carat weight, Charles & Colvard provide a corresponding millimeter sizes and ‘diamond equivalent weight’ guide. Moissanite is 13% less dense than diamonds.
Moissanite Versus Cubic Ziconia
Moissanite is often compared to another near colorless crated jewel, Cubic Zirconia
Compare Moissanite to Cubic Zirconia
Moissanite has more brilliance and luster than Cubic Zirconia. Moissanite will not fade nor cloud as Cubic Zirconia does over time.
Consumers often compare moissanite to cubic zirconia, a colorless, lab grown diamond simulant. Moissanite is more durable and provides more brilliance than cubic zirconia. Cubic Zirconia remains the leading diamond simulant in sales and consumer awareness.
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Comparison Chart: Beauty, Durability, and Specific Gravity
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Beauty
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Beauty
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Beauty
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Durability
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Durability
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Specific Gravity
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Brilliance
Refractive Index
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Fire
Dispersion
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Luster
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Hardness
MOHS
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Toughness
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Moissanite
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2.65 - 2.69
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0.104
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20.4%
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9.25
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Excellent
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3.21
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(CZ) Cubic Zirconia
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2.15
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0.060
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13.6%
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8.50
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Good
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5.80
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Chemical Composition
Cubic Zirconia is crystalline form of zirconim dioxide, ZrO2. As its name suggests, cubic zirconia’s crystal system of cube-shape unit cells. Under ultra violet light, cubic zirconia emits yellow/greenish fluorescence.
Moissansite is a crystalline form of Silcon Carbide, SiC,. Under ultra violet light, Moissasnite emits a very slight green, or gray fluorescence.
Clarity
Today’s cubic zirconia has virtually no inclusions and is near flawless. All Moissanite jewels conatins inclusions, comparable to diamonds of VS1 clarity.
Light Refraction
Unlike cubic zirconia, moissanite jewels are doubly refractive. This means that light is bent twice as it passes through the moissasnite jewel. This double refraction is directly responsible for moissanite’s superior brilliance. You can see this with a 10x loupe. Viewing through the crown or pavilion facets is recommended. Do not look directly through the table of a moissanite stone; the double refraction is less apparent as seen from this angle.
Mossanite Facts and Fictions
Facts
Separate fact from fiction in this comprehensive review of commonly frequently asked questions, marketing claims, rumors, and more
Charles & Colvard created moissanite has more fire and brilliance than diamonds. Moissnaite is NOT a man-made NOR a cubic zirconia variant.
Facts & Fictions
Despite the best efforts of major moissanite retailers and Charles & Colvard, there remains a tremendous amount of misinformation, poorly educated opinions and conjecture in the market place. The Jewelry Hut Moissasnite Education and Buying Guide will you the Facts and Fictions, here.
Moissnaite chips easily. False.
Moissansite is very hard; in fact, it is harder than every jewel except diamond. Moissanite jewels are durable and resist chipping. Moissanite comes in different grades of color and clarity. False.
There is only ONE quality of Moissanite; “Vert Good” that is distributed to general public consumers by Charles & Colvard. That said, each Moissasnite jewel is unique and no two are identical. Moissasnite retailers match Moissansite stones from thousands of stones fro pendants, earrings, and bracelets. Some moissanite retailers claim to offer only “whitest moissanite”; but this is a misnomer and simply a marketing ploy. More than one company manufactures Moissanite. False.
Only one company, “Charles & Colvard”, manufactures Moissanite. Charles & Colvard purchase SiC crystal from two major suppliers, Cree Inc. and Norstel AB. But these suppliers do ot cut the crystals into moissansite jewels. Charles & Colvard is a publicly held company based in North Carolina. Moissanite is a man-made diamond. False.
Moissanite Is Not a diamond nor a diamond simulant. Diamond is pure Carbon (C). Moissanite is composed of the compound Silicon Carbide (SiC). Moissanite is a laboratory created jewel. Naturally occurring moissanite is extremely rare and found only in microscopic crystals that are too small to use in jewelry. Each moissanite jewel is grown in the laboratory from moissanite seed crystal. It takes months from start to finish to grow a single jewel. Created diamonds are grown by similar process.
How to Care for Moissansite
Moissanite jewelry requires the same care and handling as any other jewel
Moissanite is a durable jewel. According to Charles & Colvard, it is guaranteed to never cloud, fade, or lose its clarity. Here, you can learn how to care for your Moissanite jewelry.
Your Moissanite jewelry requires the same care and handling as any other jewel. Just like fine diamonds, clean with steam, solution or ultrasonic cleaners. Avoid cleaning with harsh chemical.
Gentle and effective ways to clean Moissanite jewelry
First, removethe jewelry from your body. Place the jewelry in warm solution of mild liquid detergent and water. Ivory dishwashing liquid is good choice, but any other mild detergent will be fine. Let it stand for 10 minutes. Next, use a soft brush or old toothbrush if necessary to remove dirt. Soft is crucial component; do not use a brush with bristles that are stiff enough to scratch the mounting. Gently swish the ring in circular motion in the solution, and then rinse it thoroughly in warm, clean water. Avoid touching your clean moissanite with your fingers. handle clean jewelry by its edges or with a soft cloth. No heavy lifting with Moissanite
Do not wear moissanite jewelry, especially rings, when doing rough work. even though moissanite is very hard (only second to diamond), it can still be chipped by a sharp, sudden blow as it does with genuine diamond. Avoid Chlorine
Chlorine can damage and discolor the mounting on your moissanite jewelry. Keep your moissanite away from chlorine bleach or other household chemicals. You should also remove your moissanite jewelry before swimming in a chlorinated pool or hot tub. Recommended Cleaners
If you prefer to clean your moissanite jewelry by yourself, an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner is a safe choice to use to restore the sparkle and luster your Moissanite jewel had the first day you put it on yourself. Most ultrasonic cleaner kits include a non-toxic jewelry cleaning concentrate.
The jewelry Hut Blitz Jewelry Cleaner Store
The jewelry Hut Designer Moissanite Jewelry Store
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