What Is Moissanite? A Complete Guide to the Stone and How It Is Made
Moissanite is a gemstone. It occurs naturally in extremely rare quantities and is produced in laboratories for use in jewellery. It is one of the hardest and most brilliant stones known to science, and it has been used in fine jewellery for decades.
If you have come across the term and want to understand what the stone actually is, this guide covers everything, where it comes from, how it is made, and what distinguishes it from other gemstones.
Where Moissanite Comes From
Moissanite was first discovered in 1893 by French chemist Henri Moissan. He found microscopic crystals of silicon carbide inside a meteorite crater in Canyon Diablo, Arizona. At first he believed he had found diamonds. On closer examination, he identified a new mineral compound, silicon carbide, that had not previously been documented in nature.
The mineral was later named moissanite in his honour.
Natural moissanite is extraordinarily rare. The quantities found in nature are so small that they cannot be used in jewellery. All moissanite used in fine jewellery today is laboratory-created, grown under controlled conditions that replicate the natural formation process.
How Laboratory-Created Moissanite Is Made
Laboratory moissanite is produced through a process called the Lely method, a technique that grows silicon carbide crystals in a controlled thermal environment. The process takes weeks and produces crystals that are chemically and physically identical to natural moissanite.
Once grown, the crystals are cut and faceted by skilled cutters, just as any gemstone would be. The finished stone is graded for colour, clarity, and cut before being set into jewellery.
The laboratory origin of moissanite does not diminish its properties. The stone is the same compound, with the same optical and physical characteristics, whether formed in a meteor or a laboratory.
What Moissanite Actually Is
Moissanite is silicon carbide (SiC). It is not a diamond, and it is not designed to be one. It is a distinct gemstone with its own optical and physical properties.
A few key facts:
Moissanite rates 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it one of the hardest substances on earth. Only diamond, rated 10, is harder. This means moissanite is highly resistant to scratching and suited to everyday wear.
Moissanite has a refractive index of 2.65 to 2.69, higher than diamond (2.42). It is doubly refractive, meaning light entering the stone splits into two rays. This produces a distinctive visual character, a high level of fire and brilliance that differs from but is not inferior to diamond light performance.
Moissanite does not cloud, tarnish, or degrade over time. The stone itself is chemically stable and resistant to heat, light, and the conditions of daily wear.
Is Moissanite a Real Gemstone?
Yes. Moissanite is a real gemstone. It has a distinct chemical composition, a distinct crystal structure, and distinct optical properties. It is not a synthetic diamond, a diamond simulant, or an imitation stone.
The confusion often arises because moissanite is sometimes compared to diamond in marketing contexts. The comparison is understandable given the stones share visual similarities, but moissanite is its own material. Describing it as "fake" reflects a misunderstanding of what the stone is.
Gemological institutes classify moissanite as a gemstone. It can be graded for colour and clarity, and it carries a hardness rating that places it among the most durable stones used in jewellery.
Moissanite Colour and Clarity
Modern moissanite is produced to a near-colourless standard. The majority of stones available in jewellery today fall into the D, E, and F colour grades, the highest range on the diamond colour scale, and the range most closely associated with colourless appearance.
Earlier generations of moissanite had a slightly warmer or greener tint that was visible under certain lighting conditions. That characteristic has largely been resolved in current production. High-quality moissanite today is visually colourless.
Clarity in moissanite refers to internal inclusions, as it does with any gemstone. Laboratory-grown moissanite is typically produced to eye-clean standards, meaning inclusions, if present at all, are not visible without magnification.
Moissanite and the Setting
The stone itself is only part of the finished piece. The metal setting, the band, the prongs, the overall construction, determines how the stone sits, how it is protected, and how the piece wears over time.
At Bellari, moissanite is set in rhodium-plated sterling silver and solid gold. Rhodium plating provides a bright, hard finish that protects the silver and adds reflective depth to the stone. The eternity band is also available in 10K solid gold, which offers a different warmth and weight to the finished piece.
The choice of setting metal affects the overall appearance of the jewellery as much as the stone grade. A well-matched setting makes the stone appear cleaner and more considered.
You can explore the full range of settings and stones across the moissanite jewellery collection and in further detail on The Sparkle Guide.
Moissanite Compared to Diamond
Moissanite and diamond share visual similarities, but they are different materials with different properties. This section addresses the most common comparisons directly.
Hardness: Diamond is harder. At 10 on the Mohs scale, diamond is the hardest natural material. Moissanite at 9.25 is extremely hard and highly scratch-resistant, but diamond has the edge.
Brilliance: Both stones are highly brilliant. Diamond has a single refractive index; moissanite is doubly refractive. The visual result is different, moissanite produces a higher level of spectral dispersion (fire), while diamond produces a more familiar white-light return. Neither is superior in an absolute sense; they are different optical experiences.
Origin: Natural diamonds form deep within the earth over billions of years. Moissanite is formed in laboratories. Both are grown under extreme conditions, one by geological process, one by human engineering.
Price: Moissanite is significantly less expensive than diamond of a comparable size and grade. This reflects supply economics, not quality difference.
A full comparison between these two stones is available in the moissanite vs diamond guide on The Edit.
Moissanite in Everyday Jewellery
Moissanite is well-suited to pieces worn daily. Its hardness and stability mean it holds up across the conditions of everyday life, work, exercise, water, and temperature changes, without degrading.
The stone is used across a range of jewellery forms. At Bellari it appears in tennis bracelets, tennis necklaces, stud earrings, eternity bands, and eternity rings. Each form takes advantage of different aspects of the stone's optical properties, the linear setting of a tennis bracelet produces a different visual effect than a solitaire stud.
For guidance on sizing, the tennis bracelet size guide covers measurements and fit across both the 2mm and 3mm widths.
Caring for Moissanite
Moissanite requires no specialist care. The stone does not absorb oils or lotions but may attract surface residue over time, which reduces brilliance temporarily. Regular gentle cleaning restores the stone to its original appearance.
A soft cloth or a mild soap and water solution is sufficient for routine cleaning. The stone is not damaged by ultrasonic cleaners, though care should be taken with the setting, particularly with plated metals.
Full care guidance is available on The Sparkle Guide.
Final thoughs,
Moissanite is a genuine gemstone, distinct from diamond and distinct from glass or other simulants. It is silicon carbide, first discovered in a meteorite in 1893 and now grown in laboratories for use in fine jewellery. It is one of the hardest stones used in jewellery, with a refractive index that produces a high level of brilliance and fire.
It is not a substitute for diamond. It is its own stone, with its own properties and its own visual character. For those seeking a durable, brilliant gemstone without the conditions attached to mined materials, moissanite is a considered choice.
The full range of Bellari moissanite jewellery is available across the collections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is moissanite made of? Moissanite is made of silicon carbide (SiC). It is a compound of silicon and carbon that forms naturally in extremely rare quantities and is produced in laboratories for use in jewellery.
Is moissanite a real gemstone? Yes. Moissanite is a real gemstone with its own chemical composition, crystal structure, and optical properties. It is not a diamond simulant or imitation stone. It is a distinct mineral compound classified as a gemstone by gemological institutes.
How hard is moissanite? Moissanite rates 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale. This makes it one of the hardest substances known, second only to diamond (rated 10). It is highly resistant to scratching and well-suited to everyday wear.
Does moissanite look like a diamond? Moissanite and diamond share visual similarities but are not identical in appearance. Moissanite is doubly refractive, which produces a higher level of coloured light (fire) than diamond. Under certain lighting the difference is visible to a trained eye. Under most conditions, both stones appear brilliant and colourless.
Does moissanite get cloudy or lose its sparkle? No. Moissanite does not cloud, tarnish, or degrade over time. Surface residue from oils or lotions can temporarily reduce brilliance, but this is reversible with gentle cleaning. The stone itself is chemically stable.
Where does moissanite come from? Natural moissanite was first discovered in a meteorite crater in Arizona in 1893. It occurs naturally in such small quantities that it cannot be sourced for jewellery. All moissanite used in jewellery today is grown in laboratories using a controlled process that produces silicon carbide crystals with the same properties as natural moissanite.
What is the difference between moissanite and diamond? They are different materials. Diamond is carbon (C). Moissanite is silicon carbide (SiC). Diamond is harder and has a different optical character. Moissanite produces more fire (spectral dispersion). Both are genuine stones, and both are suited to fine jewellery, they are simply different.
Is moissanite ethical? Laboratory-grown moissanite does not involve mining. It is produced in controlled laboratory environments, which removes the land disruption and supply chain concerns associated with mined gemstones. For buyers with concerns about sourcing, this is a relevant consideration.
