Moissanite: Another interesting topic I have been so long wanting to write about. Hindustan Times ran a very interesting and thought provoking article about Moissanite on August'27'2007. Copied are its contents in the quotes below:
" Are your diamonds for real?
The diamond that you bought may be a moissanite far cheaper than the real thing, but with properties that could fool an expert. A diamond lookalike, moissanite (silicon carbide), has been in India for two years now. And a random check by HT revealed that well known jewellers in Delhi, even after a couple of checks, declared it to be a diamond. "When I started dealing in moissanites, many small-time jewellers suggested I market them as diamonds," says Niraj Johri, a Gemological Institute of America (GIA)-trained gemologist. Nidhi Jain of Sital- dass and Sons in Connaught Place adds, "One dealer said the profit margin is huge in this business, but we refused." GIA India director Deepak Bagai says that it's very tough to figure out a moissanite, especially in mounted jewellery, as most jewellers don't possess a moissanite tester.
STONES APART: Moissanite has a refractive index (brilliance) of 2.65-2.69, while a diamond's is 2.42.
Moissanite's hardness is 9.25 (on the Moh's scale) diamond's is 10.
Reference: http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Default.aspx?selpg=2035"
A quick research into the subject helped me find these facts, which I hope is going to be very informative to you all. Let me list these as dot points so that we have a cleaner interface of understanding:
1.) Moissanite is a naturally occuring mineral. It was first discovered in fragments of the meteorite at Diablo Canyon or Meteor Crater in Arizona. Natural moissanite is very rare.
2.)Moissanite are also synthetically created in laborateries. This Silicon Carbide mineral is popularly known by its trade name "Moissanite" in the jewellery world. The name moissanite is interchangably used for both naturally or synthetically occuring mineral.
3.) Though very similar in its properties (eg. refractive index, hardness and physical appearance) to diamonds, Moissanite can still be distinguised from diamonds using the following dissimilarities:
a.)Structure: Diamonds have an isometric structure while Moissanite is hexagonal. Owing to its hexagonal structure, Moissanite is doubly refractive.
b.)Edges: The face of a moissanite stone shows double facet edges whereas a diamond's edges are single in appearance.
c.)Density: Moissanite is slightly less dense than diamond.
d.)Color: Moissanite is rarely colorless. It very often has pale shades of green.
e.)Clarity: Unlike diamonds, natural flaws are absent in moissanite. Simply stated this means that Moissanite often has clarity: "Internally Flawless". What Moissanite does have are tiny, unnatural, white, ribbon-like structures caused during the growing process.
Using these guidelines and the right tools many jewellers are able to differentiate between the two stones. Yet, there are quite a few, who in the absence of information and awareness are tricked into buying and selling Moissanite as real diamond rings .
As a customer, I can understand your inability to distinguish the real diamonds from their syntheic counerparts. And, the best advice I can pass on at this stage is to buy your diamond jewellery from a Jeweller who is not only into trading diamonds, but is also professionally trained in this arena. A diamond merchant with a diploma/ degree or course under his belt is more likely to distinguish diamonds from Moissanites, than some one who has been in the business for years. Sometimes, we need to back up experience with knowledge. Additionally, you can also insist on certification of your diamonds from institutions like GIA, IGLS etc.
If you have any questions or concerns on this subject, you can post them on the comment section, and we would get back to you. Alternatively, you can call us at: 91-11- 27353489/ 91- 11- 27354284, Tuesdays through Sundays from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM IST. You can also reach us through email on info@kathana.in
