In a world filled with sapphires and rubies, the moissanite is one gemstone that definitely stands out from the crowd. Its beauty is unlike any other and this makes it highly sought-after by people all over the world. But is this jewel’s appearance 100% natural or is it the result of treatments? Read this article to find out.
But first, what is Moissanite?
Simply put, the moissanite is a semi-precious gemstone that has become popular, mainly due to its appearance that’s very similar to the diamond. In fact, the two stones are so identical that Henri Moissan, the French chemist who discovered the moissanite, originally mistook it for a diamond.
And while the moissanite itself is most commonly known as a diamond alternative, its long list of USPs has resulted in quite a serious fan following of its own. Some of them are mentioned below…
1. Shine
Believe it or not, this gem is roughly 10x times brighter than the average diamond. Not only that, but it is also greatly valued for its fire – this refers to the spectrum of colours that is reflected from the centre of the stone in reaction to light. All in all, this gem’s jaw-dropping sparkle can make it a good option for anyone who wants to draw attention.
2. Durability
With a rating of 9.25 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, the moissanite’s exceptional durability is another plus point. As such, not only is the stone undoubtedly beautiful, but it is also sure to last for a long time.
3. Relatively Affordable
Since its discovery, moissanite has only been found in a handful of places. Considering this rarity, it’s no surprise that the majority of moissanites found in the market today are lab-created. This type of moissanite is less costly than the natural one and even the diamond, which makes it the perfect choice for those on a tight budget.
4. Ethical and eco-friendly
As the entire creation process occurs inside the lab, moissanites are 100% ethical. What’s more, because there is no mining involved, this stone is considered to be more eco-friendly than its natural counterpart. Needless to say, this makes the jewel a wonderful option for ethically and environmentally conscious people.
The main question, is it treated?
Not really!
For the most part, natural moissanites are eye clean, which means that they do not showcase any visible flaws. And while they do display needle-like inclusions when viewed under a microscope, these imperfections do not aggressively hamper the stone’s brilliance and fire. They are therefore usually left untreated.
Lab-created moissanites, tend to feature minimal to no inclusions and therefore, aren’t treated.
Do Note: Moissanites typically have a nearly colourless hue that may be accompanied by yellow or grey undertones. If these undertones are too apparent, the stones are usually exposed to the high pressure, high temperature treatment (HPHT) to fix the same.
Which metal works well with the Moissanite?
We recommend pairing your stone with either white or yellow gold. Classy and chic, these metals will add to the gorgeous appearance of the gem and result in an accessory that will forever remain special.
We do hope this article gave you all the information you need!
