What is moissanite?
What is Moissanite?
From a meteorite crater to the world's most brilliant gemstone. Everything you need to know.
Moissanite—also spelled “Moissanite” internationally—is a gemstone that has enjoyed a remarkable rise in the jewellery world. Originally discovered in a meteorite crater, it is now lab-grown and is considered one of the most brilliant gemstones in existence. Its fire is more than twice that of a diamond, its hardness makes it virtually indestructible, and its origin is free from the ethical concerns associated with mining.
Nevertheless, there are many half-truths surrounding this stone. Is it a “fake diamond”? Can you tell the difference? And why are more and more couples consciously choosing moissanite over a mined diamond? This article gives you all the answers you need.
A Quick Explanation
Moissanite is a laboratory-grown gemstone made of silicon carbide (SiC). It was discovered in 1893 by Henri Moissan in a meteorite crater and is named after him. With a hardness of 9.25 on the Mohs scale, it is the second-hardest gemstone in the world. Its dispersion (fire), at 0.104, is more than twice that of a diamond (0.044), which is why it sparkles particularly intensely when exposed to light.
The Discovery: From Meteorite to Gemstone
The story of moissanite does not begin in a laboratory, but in a crater. In 1893, French chemist Henri Moissan examined rock samples from Canyon Diablo in Arizona, an impact crater formed by a meteorite about 50,000 years ago. Among the debris, he found tiny, sparkling crystals that he initially mistook for diamonds.
It was only upon closer analysis that it became clear that it was something entirely different: silicon carbide, a compound of silicon and carbon with the chemical formula SiC. The mineral was named “moissanite” in his honor. Thirteen years later, in 1906, Moissan received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, though for a different discovery: the isolation of the element fluorine.
Natural moissanite is extremely rare. In nature, it occurs almost exclusively in meteorites and in certain rock formations associated with volcanic activity. The quantities are so small that they have never been significant for jewellery production. It wasn’t until 1998 that the company Charles & Colvard succeeded in growing moissanite in a laboratory in sufficient quality and size to bring it to market as a gemstone.
"Moissanite is literally a stone from outer space. The fact that we can now recreate it in the lab is one of the most fascinating stories in modern gemology."
GIA (Gemological Institute of America), Research Paper 1997Physical Properties in Detail
What makes moissanite so special as a gemstone are its optical and physical properties, which in several respects even surpass those of a diamond.
Hardness: Almost as hard as a diamond
With a hardness of 9.25 on the Mohs scale, moissanite is the second-hardest gemstone in the world. Only diamond (hardness 10) is harder. By comparison, sapphire and ruby rate at 9, and emerald at 7.5. This means that moissanite is virtually scratch-resistant in everyday use. It is ideal for engagement rings and jewellery worn daily.
Brilliance and Fire: More Than Just a Diamond
The refractive index of moissanite ranges from 2.648 to 2.691, compared to 2.417 for diamonds. This means that moissanite refracts light more strongly and reflects more of it back. The result is exceptional brilliance.
Even more impressive is dispersion—that is, the ability to break white light into its spectral colours. Moissanite has a dispersion value of 0.104, while that of a diamond is 0.044. That’s more than double. In practice, this manifests as intense “fire”: flashes of rainbow light that dance across the facets when light hits them.
Birefringence: The Only Visible Distinguishing Feature
Moissanite has a birefringence of 0.043, while diamond has no birefringence. This means that light rays are split into two rays as they pass through the stone. In larger stones, this can be visible under a magnifying glass as a slight doubling of the facet edges. In everyday life, without magnification, this effect is practically imperceptible.
Good to Know
Moissanite passes the standard diamond test because it has a similarly high thermal conductivity. Only specialized moissanite testers, which also measure electrical conductivity, can reliably identify it.
How is moissanite made?
Since natural moissanite is far too rare for use in jewellery production, it is grown exclusively in a laboratory. The process is complex and requires extreme conditions.
The most common method is based on the so-called Lely process, a modified sublimation technique. In this process, silicon carbide powder is heated to over 2,000 degrees Celsius in a high-temperature furnace. At these temperatures, the material sublimates—that is, it transitions directly from a solid to a gaseous state. The gas molecules then deposit onto a seed crystal and, layer by layer, form a new crystal.
This process takes weeks to months, depending on the desired size and quality of the stone. Unlike diamond synthesis, which can now be completed in just a few days, moissanite cultivation requires considerably more patience and precision.
After it has grown, the rough crystal is cut into the desired shape by experienced gem cutters. The quality of the cut is crucial to the stone’s visual impact: A well-cut moissanite maximizes brilliance and fire, while a poor cut makes the stone appear dull.
When making a purchase, pay attention to the cut quality. An “Excellent” or “Ideal” cut is just as important for moissanite as it is for a diamond. At Velur, we use only stones with the highest cut grades. Discover our collection
Moissanite vs. Diamond: The Comprehensive Comparison Chart
The most common question we hear is, “How is moissanite different from a diamond?” Here are the facts, side by side.
| Property | Moissanite | Diamond |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Composition | SiC (silicon carbide) | C (elemental carbon) |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 9,25 | 10 |
| Refractive Index | 2,648 to 2,691 | 2,417 |
| Dispersion (Fire) | 0,104 | 0,044 |
| Birefringence | 0.043 (available) | None |
| Density | 3.21 g/cm³ | 3.52 g/cm³ |
| Origin | Lab-grown | Mines or Laboratory |
| Certification | GRA | GIA, IGI |
| Ethics | Conflict-free, no mining | Depending on origin |
Sources: GIA Gems & Gemology, Winter 1997; Charles & Colvard Technical Data Sheet
"Moissanite and diamond are two completely different gemstones with different chemical compositions. Moissanite is not a diamond imitation. It is a gemstone in its own right, with its own remarkable properties."
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)Quality Levels and Certification
Just as with diamonds, there are differences in quality among moissanites. The most important criteria are colour, clarity, and cut.
Colour Grades
Moissanite is classified into three colour categories based on the diamond colour grading system:
| Colour level | Description | Comparable to |
|---|---|---|
| DEF (Colourless) | Completely colourless, highest quality | Diamond D-F |
| GHI (Near-Colourless) | Nearly colourless, with a minimal warm tint | Diamond G-I |
| JK (Lightly tinted) | A slight yellowish tint is visible | Diamond J-K |
Certification by the GRA
The Gemological Research Association (GRA) is the leading certification body for moissanite. A GRA certificate documents the stone’s most important characteristics: carat weight, cut, colour, and clarity. It also confirms that the stone is indeed moissanite and not another material.
We use only Moissanite with a DEF colour grade (colourless) and a GRA certificate. Each stone is individually inspected before being set. See our engagement rings
Ethics and Sustainability
One of the strongest arguments in favor of moissanite is its origin. Since it is produced entirely in a laboratory, it avoids all the problems associated with diamond mining: no child labor, no financing of conflict, no destruction of ecosystems, and no massive water consumption.
Diamond mining moves an average of 250 metric tons of earth per carat, consumes thousands of liters of water, and leaves behind craters that alter entire landscapes. Although the laboratory production of moissanite requires energy, its environmental footprint is many times smaller.
For many couples today, this is a decisive factor. Choosing a lab-grown gemstone is not a compromise. It is a conscious choice in favor of transparency, sustainability, and peace of mind.
Did you know?
According to a study published in *Nature* (2024), lab-grown gemstones could reduce CO2 emissions by a total of 9.58 million metric tons and mineral waste by 421 million metric tons by the year 2100, compared with conventional mining.
Who is moissanite the right choice for?
Moissanite isn't for everyone. And that's a good thing. It's for people who know what they want and who aren't guided by convention.
Perfect for you if...
You’re looking for a stone that sparkles more than anything else in the light. You value ethics and sustainability. You want an engagement ring that will last a lifetime without having to spend a fortune. You’re not swayed by what “people” are supposed to wear—you wear what speaks to you. Discover our moissanite engagement rings.
Maybe not ideal if...
If the resale value of a stone is important to you (moissanite does not have an established secondary market). If you are looking for a stone with the specific prestige of a diamond. If you find moissanite’s slightly more intense fire to be “too much” and prefer a more subtle sparkle.
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All About Moissanite
Yes. Moissanite is a gemstone in its own right with its own chemical composition (silicon carbide, SiC). It is neither a diamond imitation nor cubic zirconia. Natural moissanite was first discovered in a meteorite crater in 1893. The moissanite used in jewellery today is lab-grown, but it is chemically and physically identical to the natural mineral.
To the naked eye, the difference is not noticeable in everyday life. Moissanite has slightly more fire (rainbow flashes) than a diamond, which can be noticeable in larger stones when viewed under direct light. Under a magnifying glass, a slight doubling of the facets (double refraction) is visible in moissanite. Conventional diamond testers often mistakenly identify moissanite as a diamond. Only specialized moissanite testers can reliably detect the difference.
No. Moissanite retains its brilliance and fire for a lifetime. With a hardness of 9.25 on the Mohs scale, it is extremely scratch-resistant and can withstand everyday wear and tear. Unlike cubic zirconia, which can become cloudy over time, moissanite remains permanently clear and sparkling.
With a rating of 9.25 on the Mohs scale, moissanite is the second-hardest gemstone in the world. Only diamond (10) is harder. By comparison, sapphire and ruby rate at 9, emerald at 7.5, and cubic zirconia at 8 to 8.5. Moissanite is therefore ideal for jewellery worn every day.
No, moissanite and zirconia are completely different materials. Zirconia (cubic zirconium dioxide, ZrO₂) is a synthetic material with a hardness of 8 to 8.5 and becomes cloudy over time. Moissanite (silicon carbide, SiC) is significantly harder (9.25), has more fire and brilliance, and retains its optical properties permanently. In terms of quality and durability, moissanite is much closer to a diamond than to cubic zirconia.
Moissanite is typically certified by the GRA (Gemological Research Association). The certificate documents the carat weight, cut, colour, and clarity of the stone. At Velur, every moissanite engagement ring comes with a GRA certificate that confirms the quality of your stone.
Absolutely. Thanks to its hardness (9.25 on the Mohs scale), exceptional brilliance, and durability, moissanite is ideal for engagement rings. It easily withstands everyday wear and retains its sparkle for a lifetime. More and more couples are consciously choosing moissanite because it’s visually stunning and is produced in an ethical and sustainable manner. Discover our moissanite engagement rings
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