Diamonds have been a symbol of wealth for a long time. In many cultures around the world, they have also become an indispensable part of becoming engaged, with engagement rings often decorated with diamonds mined from various parts of the world.
However, because diamond mining has a negative reputation, other gemstones are becoming more popular. One of the most prominent options is moissanite.
But what is a moissanite made of? How are moissanites made? And is moissanite a natural gemstone?
Let’s answer these and many other questions below.
How is Moissanite Made?
Moissanite is made from silicon and carbon using a combination of heat and pressure. The production process begins with silicon carbide crystals. These crystals are then carefully cut into smaller pieces known as preforms. The preforms are then cut, shaped, & polished, creating a moissanite stone.
While the mineral does occur in nature, it’s rare and has only been discovered on meteorites. But almost a century since its discovery, scientists have been able to figure out how to make moissanite in a lab. As a result, the rare gemstone is much more accessible.
We use the Lely Process for creating moissanite gemstones. This means the gemstones are artificially grown in a lab and we are able to control the consistency of every moissanite we make.
What is the Moissanite Manufacturing Process?
Now that we’ve learned how we approach creating moissanites, we can look at where does moissanite come from.
The Lely Process is a proven way to create high-quality gemstones that have all of the good qualities of natural diamonds. This process not only makes the gemstones possible but is also much more eco-friendly than diamond mining. This makes it an excellent choice for the environmentally-conscious buyers of the 21st century.
But in essence, the process of how to make moissanite is relatively similar to how it forms in nature. The main difference is that the conditions for its formation are created in a laboratory.
How is Moissanite Made
Moissanite is formed from silicon and carbon through a process involving both pressure and heat. Crystal formation may take as long as two months.
Because the process is complicated and quite long, the amount of moissanites that can be created is limited, further increasing their value.
Moissanite Qualities
As you probably know, the quality of diamonds and gemstones is graded using the four Cs method, which includes clarity, carat, cut, and color. And because of how moissanites are made, these gemstones excel in most areas when compared to naturally-found diamonds.
Because of moissanite’s high dispersion level, it’s one of the best gemstones in terms of cut, as it is not prone to fracture and can be cut down to the finest details. In terms of clarity, moissanites do have some inclusions, but it’s significantly different from other gemstones or diamonds.
Since moissanites can be cut while retaining their fire, you can find large-sized moissanites at a fraction of what a similar diamond might cost. Finally, while most moissanites are clear, they can also come in naturally occurring gray, yellow, or green.
How Can You Grade Moissanite’s Clarity?
Clarity grading is the process of determining the imperfections in moissanite, which are also known as inclusions. The inclusions are a universal trait among all gemstones, which is why their severity and visibility is such a useful way to determine how clear a specific gem is.
Since we answered the question of “is moissanite man-made” and learned that it is relatively easy to cut, we know that the imperfections in this type of gemstone are rarely visible to the naked eye. In fact, most of the time, to see the inclusions would require intense magnification.
In terms of the grading system, it follows the same principle as any other, measuring from flawless to included:
- FL - flawless
- IF - internally-flawless
- VVS1; VVS2 - very, very slightly included
- VS1; VS2 - very slightly included
- SI1; SI2 - slightly included
- I1; I2; I3 - included
Examples of Moissanite Jewelry
At Gema&Co, we have a wide range of moissanite jewelry for you to choose from. What’s more, we have moissanite gemstones in a variety of shapes, so you can always find an option that suits your style and preferences.
Our unique selection of moissanite engagement rings use only the most brilliant and colorless gemstones and can be customized with your preferred center stone.
You can also find many moissanite wedding bands that utilize moissanites of various sizes, combining brilliant gemstones to create unique and extraordinary designs for the special occasion.
Moissanite Jewelry & You
If you want to learn more about how are moissanite made, we are here to help. At Gema&Co, we have a wide selection of moissanites to choose from and can help you find the perfect solution your jewelry needs.
To learn more, please check out our selection or contact us today!
