Origin story
The stone is named after its discoverer, Henri Moissan. He explored the area of the meteorite fall in the US state of Arizona in 1893. In the cosmic body, the scientist found plates of moissanite, previously unknown in mineralogy.
Interestingly, long before the discovery in the 20s of the 19th century, a similar chemical material was obtained by Jacob Berzelius . The scientist proposed using the durable mineral for technical purposes for spraying tools and grinding stones. But the invention was underestimated and not recognized.
Later, the stone began to be found in other fragments of meteorites, but they could not be processed. The small number of specimens did not allow finding a field of application for the new mineral.
But soon silicon carbide powder (the chemical basis of moissanite) was created in the laboratory by Edward Acheson . He owns a patent for an artificial analogue of moissanite - carborundum, and for a special furnace for its processing, which is still used today.
Nowadays, stones for jewelry - moissanite - are made from powdered silicon carbide.
How to distinguish?
We have already said above that it is not possible to differentiate these two stones independently. But special methods with which differences can be identified have, of course, been developed.
And if it is really important to you which stone sparkles in the jewelry, the information below may be useful. Next, we will briefly talk about the most popular methods among jewelry makers that allow them to differentiate moissanite and diamond.
Optical tests. The optical testing technique involves examining the product under a special jewelry microscope.
Only with the help of powerful magnifying optics is it possible to capture such differences as:
- cleavage of edges;
- ghosting effect;
- scintillation.
Moissanite is distinguished by less sharp cleavage of its facets, fixation of the ghosting effect (this is not typical for a diamond), as well as color scintillation. The latter, in turn, is due to significantly higher refractive index, as well as light dispersion.
Open flame technique. This test is quite simple and can be done at home. But at the same time, it is always worth remembering the high probability of damage to the jewelry. The essence of the technique is as follows: the stone is brought extremely close to the flame (for example, a match) and changes in color properties are observed for 20-30 seconds. It is characteristic that moissanites turn green, while diamonds do not change shades of their original color.
Important! Repeated and/or prolonged exposure to flame can lead to clouding, darkening of the stone, as well as the appearance of a specific greenish coating.
Ultraviolet test. Currently, this is the most expensive differentiation method, as it requires the use of special equipment. The device emits ultraviolet light and, at the same time, records the intensity of its absorption by the stone being tested. Thus, it was found that diamonds transmit ultraviolet radiation, while moissanites absorb ultraviolet radiation.
Unfortunately, the data produced by an expensive device may contain errors. After all, some diamonds have strong fluorescent properties while absorbing ultraviolet radiation. In addition, the smallest pebbles are not amenable to this testing option.
Electrical conductivity test. To carry out such a differentiation test you will also need a special device. Testers have a clamp that holds the test sample, conducts impulses and, at the same time, captures their conductivity. Thus, it was found that all variants of moissanite studied to date have more or less pronounced electrical conductivity properties.
As you can see, effective differentiation methods require special equipment and, of course, a number of skills. And if the question about the nature of the jewelry is of considerable importance to you, then it is better to contact the appropriate specialist in order to get the correct answer.
Knowing about the testing methods used, you will be well-versed and will be able to understand the conclusion issued by the jeweler, without getting confused and not missing important points for you.
Moissanite and cubic zirconia
Real moissanite is a very durable stone with a diamond or metallic luster . For example, its hardness on the Mohs scale is 9.25.
For comparison: a diamond has 10. In a meteorite, the mineral does not exceed 3 mm in size, and is capable of melting only at 2800 °C. This description allows you to compare moissanite with a diamond and its imitations, such as cubic zirconia.
What is cubic zirconia
Cubic zirconia is an artificial stone not found in nature. It consists of zirconium oxide and non-ferrous metal oxides, which color the mineral in various shades. Colorless cubic zirconia imitates a diamond, and colored cubic zirconia imitates other precious stones .
Cubic zirconia is quite hard (8 on the Mohs scale) and heavy (density 10 g/cm3). The cost of cubic zirconia is very low compared to natural minerals, which explains its widespread use in jewelry.
Carborundum and cubic zirconia
Although both stones are created to imitate a diamond and are of synthetic origin, their properties differ significantly :
- Cubic zirconia is easier to scratch, but only diamond can damage moissanite.
- The refractive index of carborundum is higher, which means that more rays are reflected from it and creates “diamond” shimmer. Cubic zirconia crystals transmit most of the light through themselves.
- High strength makes it possible to make the edges of carborundum clear, while in cubic zirconia they initially or over time become rounded. Scratches, chips or cracks may appear on cubic zirconia jewelry while worn.
How to distinguish
It is not difficult to distinguish cubic zirconia in jewelry with the naked eye : its shine will be much less than that of moissanite. The beveled edges of cubic zirconia can be examined under a magnifying glass.
Jewelers can easily distinguish these stones by their thermal conductivity using a diamond tester. It defines carborundum as a diamond.
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An artificial diamond - moissanite - will not retain traces when touched with fingers. When heated under a candle flame, carborundum begins to emit a green spectrum of light. Under an ultraviolet lamp, red and orange rays predominate .
Advice! In a specialized store, before purchasing, at the client’s request, they can show a certificate with the name of the stone, its cutting method, weight and manufacturer.
Magical properties of the stone
No wonder moissanite is considered a space stone. It is easier to detect in clouds of dust that gather around carbon-rich stars.
On earth, this stone is found exclusively in certain types of meteorites.
Perhaps this is why the artificial diamond - moissanite - has strong esoteric qualities.
The magic of the shining stone is as follows:
- It gives a person physical strength, makes him resilient and self-confident. Inspires self-development and knowledge of the surrounding Universe.
- Strengthens spiritual strength, relieves people from complexes, gives peace of mind and a positive mood.
- Helps to establish friendly connections, brings family relationships to the level of harmony, promotes mutual understanding between people and guarantees peaceful coexistence with others.
- Stimulates the development of creative potential, opens up new opportunities to express oneself in this field.
- Makes a person more susceptible to subtle matters: awakens the gift of premonition or extrasensory abilities.
- With the help of the stone, previously inaccessible targets become within reach. A person achieves everything he strives for, and the feeling of self-confidence does not leave him for a single moment.
Moissanite or diamond from space is not used to treat people. It affects a person only on a mental level.
Carborundum – artificial moissanite
Carborundum has become practically the only way to use the properties of moissanite for making jewelry. A natural mineral is too rare a find , which is practically impossible to process due to its small size and lamellar structure.
The invention of carborundum made it possible to produce large stones similar to diamonds in external and physical properties.
For the first time, the American campaign CREE attempted to create an analogue of a diamond from artificial moissanite. In 1987, large samples of moissanite were created on an industrial scale. Since 1995, diamond cutting has been tried on them, and the reviews from jewelers were enthusiastic.
Mining and stone processing
Natural moissanite is found inside meteorites. Silicon carbide grains form near large stars enriched in carbon. They do not exceed 4 mm in size. On Earth, the stone is found in kimberlite rock, deposits of sapphire corundum, and inside diamond nuggets.
The natural mineral is so small that it is not used either for decoration or in production. Therefore, pieces of meteorite or gems containing stones are sold to collectors and exhibited in museums.
Only the synthesized mineral is processed. Diamond-coated attachments are used for crushing, grinding and cutting.
Moissanite in jewelry
The popularity of moissanite (carborundum) in the jewelry industry is understandable: in some characteristics the stone is even superior to a diamond .
The only drawback that does not allow replacing the precious mineral completely is its artificial origin.
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Knowing how to distinguish moissanite from a diamond, you will not fall for the tricks of unscrupulous jewelers:
- Moissanite shimmers in the light with darker highlights than a diamond.
- The refractive index of carborundum is higher than that of a precious stone, and it reflects rays 20% more and shimmers.
- Moissanite does not fade when touched by fingers, unlike diamonds.
- Under a magnifying glass, the polishing lines of the edges are visible: in moissanite they are parallel to each other, while in precious stone they are in different directions. The edges of the edges of the artificial stone bifurcate from the inside.
- Finally, each gemstone has a certificate of quality with its name and main characteristics.
What does the cost depend on?
The price of a product with moissanite depends on the same indicators as other minerals:
- weight;
- color;
- processing method;
- cost of precious metal;
- production and delivery costs.
Moreover, the last point plays an important role - expensive equipment is used during production and a lot of electricity is spent . In terms of cost, moissanite is comparable to a high-quality artificial diamond.
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What goes with it?
Moissanite can be combined with any precious metal. Moissanite is neutral in relation to other stones and can be used to realize any design ideas.
The main thing, like a diamond, is not to combine it with ornamental stones.
What jewelry does he look best in?
Jewelry with moissanite reveals its beauty to the fullest in jewelry:
- long earrings or studs;
- engagement or wedding rings;
- pendant on a short gold chain.
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It is appropriate to wear jewelry for the bride , for special events, dinner in a restaurant.
Men can also wear jewelry with moissanite in the form of a ring or cufflinks.
When to choose moissanite
Despite the fact that diamond lovers prefer natural stones, the demand for analogues of precious minerals does not fall. They are in great demand in the artistic community. It is impossible to determine the naturalness of the stones from the audience. And the effect will be the same as from real gems. And for lovers of diamond sparkle, due to the lack of funds for genuine stones, such a “budget” option as artificial moissanite is quite suitable.
The shine of jewelry can evoke delight and admiration for the incomparable beauty of diamonds. The advantage of artificial stone is that it can be grown to a decent size. At the same time, the price will be much cheaper than a natural gem.
Moissanite price per 1 carat
The price of 1 carat of cut stone without color reaches $300. Green copies are 30% cheaper, and yellow and brown ones are almost 2 times less. It is not economically feasible to produce small moissanite stones up to 2 mm: they cost almost the same as natural diamonds.
The cost of jewelry with colorless moissanite weighing 0.1 carats starts from 10 thousand rubles. (ring or earrings) .
Diamond Benefits
These natural stones are very expensive. It is due to the limited number of stones with good characteristics, since they are not found too often. Diamonds are an excellent investment, and their price is increasing every year. But realizing the investment benefits of a diamond is not easy. Ordinary owners of diamond jewelry sell them when they urgently need money. Such a sale is usually carried out through pawn shops, but in this case it is impossible to obtain the real value. Diamond jewelry can also be sold through a consignment store, but sales will take a long time.
Diamonds can protect savings from inflation, but they cannot be quickly and profitably converted into money.
The healing properties of moissanite
Despite the synthetic origin of carborundum, lithotherapists endow it with healing properties. Moreover, not only contact with the stone, but also its frequent contemplation can have an effect. The positive effect occurs at the subconscious level due to improved transmission of nerve impulses in certain parts of the brain.
Recommended for:
The stone can be recommended for people suffering from memory impairment, nervous system lability, and loss of vitality.
Important! The stone is unable to cure serious somatic diseases without traditional treatment.
What ailments does it relieve?
By improving the activity of the areas of the brain responsible for the perception of pain, you can get rid of migraines and chronic spasms of the digestive system .
Moissanite will help get rid of the effects of severe stress, depression and other mental disorders.
Interestingly, black moissanite is considered a universal healer : it has a positive effect on the entire body.
Price
The price is set at approximately 5-10% of the cost of a diamond of identical quality. But don't delude yourself. Moissanite imitates expensive pure diamonds, so the average price is $250 - $600 US. A ring with moissanite costs approximately 40,000 rubles.
For comparison: a cubic zirconia insert costs 40 - 50 rubles. The cost of the product mainly depends on the weight and quality of the frame.
For this reason, it did not become a mass stone. Few people will want to buy a product with synthetic inserts for a lot of money. Even though this stone is very beautiful and shiny, it is an imitation.
Magical effect on human destiny
A synthetic stone can only exert magical effects after being recharged.
Does hydrothermal moissanite work?
Newly purchased moissanite is charged with fiery energy from the sun. The stone should be taken outside or placed near an open window under the rays of the rising sun.
You can clean in the afternoon, when the sun begins to descend from its zenith.
What areas of life does it improve?
Moissanite or carborundum will help you develop your best qualities and attract financial wealth. The crystal interacts with human chakras and brings harmony of energy to each of them. With constant interaction with the stone, the financial sphere of life and relationships with others will improve due to changes in the emotional background. Moissanite increases self-esteem, confidence in the success of new endeavors and helps in the fight against fears.
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Who is moissanite suitable for?
You can try to correct the following qualities with the help of moissanite:
- desire to do everything perfectly (perfectionism);
- excessive control over the lives of others;
- excessive emotionality and sensitivity.
The mineral is suitable for people in public professions who need a feeling of self-confidence and improved speaking abilities.
Stone according to zodiac sign
Astrologers classify the stone as a fire element. Therefore, he will best help Aries and Leo . For air signs of the zodiac, the stone will help improve their emotional state. Pisces, Virgos, Capricorns, and Taurus can wear moissanite as a protective amulet .
Production of synthetic moissanite
A patent for the synthesis of moissanite by sublimation was received only in 1998 in America. The formation of a colorless crystal takes a long time and requires a lot of energy.
Jewelry with moissanite is in demand , but only a few jewelry companies around the world are engaged in the synthesis of stones. The largest of them is CharlesColvard with several branches in European countries. The formation of moissanite occurs at a temperature of 1500 ° C and a pressure of 500 thousand bar.
Jewelry with moissanite is rarely found in jewelry stores; in most cases, they are made to order.
How to distinguish moissanite from diamond
The magnificent “game” of moissanite was appreciated by many fans of precious items. The stone turned out to be a real find for the jewelry industry. With characteristics that are not inferior to diamonds, the cost of moissanite is significantly lower than its older brother, and is approximately $400–600 per 1 carat versus a diamond carat costing $6,000–$10,000.
However, the stone born in the laboratory became not only a sensation, but also a headache. After all, it is very difficult to distinguish moissanite from a diamond. Although, there are still some features that allow you to find out who is who.
Various methods and tests are used to identify imitation:
Optical test
You can notice the ghosting effect if the moissanite is placed under a microscope and adjusted so that the culet is visible and is located perpendicular to the platform. The focus should be concentrated a little lower.
Specific gravity
The test is based on the fact that the specific gravity of moissanite is slightly less than that of a diamond. The stones being examined are placed in a specially selected liquid, in which the diamonds sink and the moissanites float on the surface. But this method is not suitable for stones inlaid into jewelry, and the liquids themselves are usually toxic to humans.
Fire
The test should only be carried out if you are not afraid to sacrifice the moissanite, as the consequences for it will be irreversible. Light a match and place a stone under the fire. If the colorless crystal takes on a green tint and becomes smoky, then this is moissanite. The soot can be removed, but the shade cannot be changed.
