Get to know Moissanite (moys-uh-nite):
Moissanite: Ever heard of it? Maybe you’ve heard it described as, “man-made diamonds” or “lab created stone”. That’s partly true. But not 100%. It’s a stone made of a mineral called silicon carbide believed to have been carried to Earth in a meteorite 50,000 years ago in trace amounts; silicon carbide has now been created in a painstaking laboratory process and then hand faceted by gem cutters. With excellent hardness and superior toughness, Moissanite is more durable than diamond and an optimal choice for jewelry that will truly endure.
We now have a selection of some of our most popular ring settings set with moissanites! They are absolutely stunning and the price can’t be beat!
Creation: Gem-quality moissanite is not available in nature. Said in another way, natural moissanite crystals are so scarce and minute that if it wasn’t created it would not be available for jewelry use. Through advanced technology and patented processes to synthesize it, the characteristics of the original mineral, silicon carbide, are recreated. http://www.moissanite-stardust.com/moissanite-creation.htmlGo here for a more in depth description/photos of how they are created!
Durability: Diamond is the hardest substance known to mankind, ranked as 10 on Moh’s hardness scale but moissanite is the second hardest jewel at 9 ¼. It outranks Diamond in overall toughness because its atomic structure does not have a direction of cleavage like diamond does. It can also withstand exposure to chemicals and temperature. It has a higher vaporization temperature than diamond.
History: In 1893, Nobel Prize-winning French scientist Dr. Henri Moissan discovered minute quantities of a new mineral, natural silicon carbide. The mineral was located in an ancient meteorite found in the Diablo Canyon in Arizona. Later named “moissanite” in honor of Dr. Moissan, this mineral’s supply was too limited for jewelry use.
More than a century later, Cree developed a process for producing large, single crystals of moissanite. In 1995, a master diamond cutter observed samples of the silicon carbide crystals and suggested to the founders of Charles & Colvard that, if properly cut, the crystals could make a beautiful jewel. Charles & Colvard recognized the mineral’s potential. They also realized that in order for the moissanite jewels to be used, they would have to be manufactured — there is essentially no natural supply for this stone. In 1995, Charles & Colvard partnered with Cree (a NC-based R&D lab) to develop larger gemstones for Charles & Colvard to use in the Cree colorless development program. In conjunction with Cree, Charles & Colvard is the exclusive worldwide manufacturer and marketer of lab-created moissanite gemstones.
Feel free to post any questions you have, or come in and see our selection of moissanite rings. We have some beautiful engagement rings ranging in price from $1,199 -$2,175 …..want a diamond but can’t quite afford what you want? Get a beautiful moissanite that will stand the test of time and wear!
Another GREAT resource is www.whatismoissanite.com!
