Moissanite is a naturally occurring mineral that was first discovered in 1893 by French scientist Henri Moissan. It is composed of silicon carbide and has a unique crystalline structure that gives it some remarkable properties.
One of the most important characteristics of Moissanite is its exceptional hardness, which makes it one of the most durable gemstones on earth. It also has a very high refractive index, which means that it reflects more light than almost any other gemstone, including diamonds.
Because of these properties, Moissanite has become a popular alternative to diamonds in jewellery, and is especially popular in engagement rings and other fine jewellery.
What is natural Moissanite?
Natural Moissanite is extremely rare, and is found only in a few locations around the world. It is formed under very specific geological conditions, and is usually found in small quantities.
Because natural Moissanite is so rare, it is generally not used in jewellery. Instead, most Moissanite jewellery is made using lab-grown Moissanite, which is easier to produce and more readily available.
What is lab-grown Moissanite?
Lab-grown Moissanite is produced using a process called chemical vapour deposition (CVD). In this process, a small seed crystal of Moissanite is placed in a vacuum chamber and heated to a high temperature. A gas containing silicon and carbon is then introduced into the chamber, and the resulting chemical reaction causes a layer of Moissanite to grow on the seed crystal.
This process can be repeated multiple times to create larger and larger crystals of Moissanite. The resulting gemstones are chemically and physically identical to natural Moissanite, but are much more affordable and easier to obtain.
Lab-grown Moissanite is a environmentally friendly and ethical choice, as it is created in a laboratory rather than mined from the earth.