The History of Moissanite

Moissanite was discovered in 1893 by French chemist Dr. Henri Moissan while examining rock fragments from a meteor crater in Diablo Canyon, Arizona. Initially mistaken for diamond, Moissan later identified the mineral as silicon carbide — a substance previously unknown in nature. The mineral was named "moissanite" in his honor following his Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1906.

Natural moissanite is exceptionally rare — found in only trace amounts in meteorites, kimberlite deposits, and as inclusions in other minerals. The natural supply is far too small to support commercial jewelry production. In 1995, North Carolina-based Charles & Colvard developed a process to grow gem-quality moissanite in laboratory conditions, making it commercially available as a fine jewelry stone for the first time. Today, virtually all moissanite sold globally is lab-grown using advanced thermal growth techniques that produce stones nearly indistinguishable in beauty from rare natural specimens.

How Moissanite Compares to Diamonds

Moissanite is often considered alongside diamonds — both natural and lab grown — for engagement rings and fine jewelry. Each stone has distinct properties that affect appearance, durability, and price.

What Makes Moissanite Different

Higher refractive index, more fire. Moissanite's refractive index of 2.65 is higher than diamond's 2.42, which means it bends light more dramatically. The result is exceptional fire — the rainbow flashes you see when light hits the stone. Some couples love this dramatic sparkle. Others find it can read as more "rainbow-like" than the classic white brilliance of a diamond, particularly in larger stones above 1.5 carats.

Double refraction. Moissanite is doubly refractive, meaning light splits into two rays as it passes through the stone. Diamond is singly refractive, producing crisper white light return. The visual difference is subtle but noticeable to a trained eye, particularly in elongated cuts like emerald, oval, and marquise.

Excellent durability for daily wear. At 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale, moissanite is the second-hardest jewelry gemstone — tougher than sapphire, ruby, and emerald. It is well suited to everyday wear and resists scratching, chipping, and clouding for a lifetime.

Exceptional value at every size. Moissanite typically retails for 5 to 10 percent of the cost of a comparable natural diamond. A 1-carat moissanite engagement ring can be a few hundred dollars, while a comparable natural diamond ring runs into the thousands — and lab grown diamonds typically fall between the two.

Who Is Moissanite Right For?

Moissanite is a strong choice for couples and clients prioritizing:

• Maximum carat weight at lower budgets. Moissanite delivers significant size and presence at a fraction of natural diamond pricing.
• Lab-grown origin. All moissanite sold for jewelry is lab-created, with no mined-stone supply chain considerations.
• Bold, fiery sparkle. Couples who love the dramatic rainbow flashes of high refractive index find moissanite's sparkle profile distinct and beautiful.
• Travel and active-lifestyle wear. Moissanite's hardness and lab-created origin make it an excellent option for travel rings or active wear where natural diamonds feel like a higher risk.

Moissanite may not be the right choice if you prefer the classic white sparkle of diamond, want long-term resale value, or value the lifetime upgrade and warranty programs that natural and lab grown diamonds qualify for at SVS Fine Jewelry. In those cases, lab grown diamonds typically offer the best balance of value, beauty, and ongoing service benefits.