We all get carried away by the charm of gemstones like rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and diamonds. To own such stones, one has to be quite wealthy. However, there is another gemstone you may have heard of is moissanite. It looks like a diamond, but it isn’t one. However, it is a rare Earth mineral discovered in the late 19th century and isn’t extracted like your normal gem-stone; it is a different story.
In this comprehensive piece on the history of moissanite, we will discuss what is a moissanite stone and how it was discovered, what its chemical composition is, how it is grown in a lab, its commercial launch, how the patenting works and branding, market expansion, and finally, some interesting facts about moissanite to increase your knowledge.
Moissanite’s Origin and How was it Discovered
The first question that makes us think is where is moissanite found. Moissanite’s history goes back 50,000 years ago when a meteorite crashed on Earth into a desert in the current state of Arizona. It created the widely popular Meteor Crater, while the particles of this meteorite were scattered across the entire desert. Little did anyone know that a great secret is going to be discovered when the time comes.
In 1893, a French scientist named Henri Moissan was working in Arizona near Canyon Diablo also known as Meteor Crater. He found tiny bright particles in rock fragments taken from the Crater. At first he believed the crystals were diamonds. But after doing research he found out that they were a new mineral composed of Silicon Carbide. In 1905, the mineral was titled Moissanite in his honor.
The origin of the stone is quite dramatic because it comes from impact crater samples, making it a “Space Rock” legend. The thing to note is that the stone doesn’t occur in gem-sized amounts, and if it does it is quite rare.
Moissanite Natural Occurrences and Chemical Makeup
Although in meteor crater, large natural crystals of gem quality are almost non-existent; they are tiny grains in rocks deep within Earth. Due to this extremely rare condition, we haven’t heard of gem-grading jewelry made from natural Moissanite. Instead, the versions which are in gemstone forms are synthetic SiC Crystals produced particularly for clarity, size, and colorless appearance.
The mineral has got effective thermal conductivity, and has best optical features. The hardness of Moissanite stone is second to diamond. The availability of this stone is extremely scarce and limited.
How is Moissanite Created in the Labs
If you are curious as to where Moissanite comes from, it is the labs. Scientists use tiny silicon carbide seeds which are bits of the same material used to produce bigger crystals. Now the seeds are put inside a special furnace that may heat up to more than 4500 C. This high temperature forces silicon and carbon to form a new layer of crystal on the seeds. After several weeks, these layers transform into single big crystals. Later they are cut into smaller pieces, shaped, and polished just like diamonds. This is why Moissanite is also known to be a synthetic form of diamond.
The Commercial Launch of Moissanite
In the year 1995, a firm called Charles and Colvard was established at Research Triangle Park in North Carolina. They were the ones who started producing and marketing gem-quality Moissanite under the U.S patent laws. Three years later in 1998, moissanite was introduced to the jewelry market as an alternative for diamonds.
The company’s marketing campaign focused on advertising moissanite’s high brilliance and diamond like appearance. It had lower costs and a lab grown origin with a minimal mining impact.
Around mid 2010 all the patents expired which were once held by Charles and Colvard, and with that many manufactures entered the market. As a result people got to have many choices, the costs lowered, and Moissanite gemstone offers were diversified.
Why does Moissanite Matter in the Jewelry World?
People always wanted diamonds in their jewelry but not that costly. Moissanite offered that alternative in an ethical way because it is lab grown. It can be used as a luxury jewelry on wedding rings, necklaces, earrings, and wedding bands. Its physical and optical qualities make it attractive and durable for your everyday wear. Most buyers are aware of its modern alternative status which has a great impact on its value and perception.
A Few Interesting Facts about Moissanite
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It is harder than Sapphires and Rubies.
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Moissanite, which naturally occurs, is scarcer than the diamonds on Earth.
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Its heat resistance qualities are superior to other jewels.
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Its ability to reflect light is more than the diamond.
Final Word
The history of moissanite dates back about 130 years when Henri Moissan discovered it. Around 50,000 years ago a space meteor landed on Earth, bringing with it what would become a great alternative to diamond. Moissanite is created in the labs since it can’t be mined like normal gemstones. In the late 1990s it was patented by a single company, while in 2010 after the expiry of the patent many manufacturers started producing it for the masses at affordable costs. Moissanite is considered to be second only to diamond in hardness, it even surpasses them in light reflections. It is the Earth’s rarest mineral. It is a great option for people who love diamond jewelry.
FAQs
Is moissanite rarer than diamonds?
Yes, natural moissanite is much rarer than diamonds, but most moissanite today is produced in labs, because of that it is more available and affordable than natural diamonds.
How old is moissanite?
Moissanite is about 50,000 years old, originally found in a meteor crater, but the gemstone itself formed billions of years ago in space.
How long has moissanite been on the market?
Moissanite has been sold as a gemstone since the late 1990s, after scientists learned to grow it successfully in laboratories.
Is moissanite a fake diamond?
No, moissanite is not a fake diamond. It is a real gemstone with its own chemical structure and sparkle, though it is often used as a replacement for diamond.
