History says that 50 thousand years ago a huge meteorite fell on the earth, which broke the earth's crust and left behind a large funnel and a lot of debris. This story happened somewhere far in America. Everyone would have forgotten about it, if not for the fragments of the meteorite, which turned out to be very beautiful and called moissanite. What is it and how to use it? Let's try to figure it out!
Interesting stone
Moissanite is the rarest cosmic mineral so named after its explorer, Nobel laureate Henry Moissan. It was he who at the end of the 19th century found several crystals of silicon carbide and determined that these were not just fragments, but almost precious stones.
Crystal characteristic
Moissanite, the photo of which is presented below, is a type of silicon carbide. At one time, it was even considered a kind of diamond because of similar characteristics. But this opinion was erroneous.
In 1904, experts conducted all the necessary tests. Then they determined that the stone is not related to diamond, since the latter is “born” on the basis of carbon. Although they have a similar crystal lattice, they differ in color.
In nature, meteorites are incredibly rare. For a long time, researchers managed to find only a handful of small pebbles. They were found either in the upper layers of the earth, or inside the same diamonds, which made the study of a stone called moissanite even more difficult. What is it and why it is not possible to find larger deposits? It remained a mystery for a century. And scientists found the only right solution - a hundred years later, specialists at the RAS laboratory grew the first large jewelry-grade moissanite.
The brightest and most beautiful in the world
It is unlikely that moissanite is widely known to a simple layman. It must be assumed that any unknowing person answers the question: “What is the brightest gem in the world?” - will answer: "Diamond." But this is not at all true. An unearthly mineral is thousands of times greater than a diamond in brilliance and brightness.
The thing is that buyers have not yet seen moissanite as a leader. What is it, they just have to find out. Indeed, in fact, in the aggregate of all the qualities, moissanite will soon go around the diamond.
The mineral, like an “idol”, was created by man by order from heaven! It stands out from other stones not only in terms of brilliance, but also in beauty. Connoisseurs have long considered moissanite "the crown of creation"! After all, he is able to satisfy any capricious jeweler and collector. The stone is so clean that it is almost 100% superior to all diamonds on the planet. He is slightly inferior to a diamond except in hardness.
Although it is much stronger than a diamond. Here is a paradox. This feature makes moissanite even more practical.
Thanks to all these advantages, the mineral very quickly conquered the world jewelry market. And, one must think, this is only the beginning.
Moissanite jewelry
At all times, only very wealthy people could buy jewelry with precious stones, and especially with diamonds. The rest should be content with cheaper fakes (cubic zirconia, Swarovski stones ) or simple “dummies”. Moissanite has no "copies" at all. He is a self-sufficient jewelry stone.
It looks great with precious metals and looks no worse than diamonds. And in some cases even better. After all, in terms of cleanliness and brilliance, the stone is far ahead of other "sparkling" competitors. In addition, it meets the most important requirement of the client - durable and long worn.
Jewelers say that he carries clean energy to his owner and protects him from the evil eye.
What jewelry is better to wear moissanite? The ring is perhaps the best choice for a mineral. It will look beneficial on the finger and will be able to satisfy every taste. The mineral in the pendant or earrings also looks good. The choice of jewelry with moissanite is quite large.
Today, the sparkling mineral for jewelry is made by one and only company in the world, which is located in the UK. This corporation gives a full guarantee on its products and claims that the unusual properties of the stone will never change.
But they sell a synthetic analogue of diamond in Russia. Customers can order jewelry with a "heavenly" mineral in the online store. In jewelry stores, you can also buy moissanite. Moscow is the largest "seller" of gemstone in the countries of the former Union. Therefore, everyone will choose a jewelry to their liking.
Moissanite or diamond? How to distinguish?
In order to recognize the authenticity of a particular stone, in the jewelry business there are special thermal tests.
When moissanite was subjected to such a test, the test recognized the mineral as a real diamond. This made the diagnosis of stone very difficult. Unlike other "copies" of the diamond, the meteorite was not recognized. Scientists thought: how to test moissanite? What it is?
Is it really an independent stone or is it an analogue of a diamond?
And only very recently, modern electronic testers were able to determine what kind of amazing stone: moissanite or diamond? As already noted, studies have shown that, despite all the similarities, the nature of these two species is completely different.
Logically, a copy will never be better than the original. But this theory is not entirely true in relation to diamond and moissanite. Flint mineral is as pure and transparent as diamond, only less hard. But he has a great ability to scatter and refract light. And also shines brighter. So, it is more attractive to people.
Moissanite is the most expensive artificially grown stone.
A diamond is a natural stone, the price of which exceeds thousands of dollars. There are quite rare quality specimens. Diamonds are in fashion all the time and are increasing in price. This is a good investment in a prosperous future, but sometimes they do not justify their investments.
To understand which stone is better is difficult. Here everyone chooses a jewel according to their preferences.
Price
The cost of any gemstone is determined by color, cut, weight and purity.
The most valuable moissanites are almost colorless and very small. They are rarely used for jewelry. In such cases, it is cheaper to use diamonds. Cheaper black and yellow minerals. Moissanite is distinguished by the fact that its purity is almost always at the highest level. And his best form is round.
This stone is very fond of Hollywood stars and even royal persons. Indeed, the appearance of moissanite is impossible to distinguish from a diamond!
New developments
Jewelry masters have developed new colored moissanites that accurately reproduce the color scheme of the rarest natural diamonds. Blue and green very expensive minerals appeared on the market. Yellow, dark green, as well as cognac are much more affordable.
Jewelry with such a priceless stone as moissanite, reviews have the best. True connoisseurs of beauty make jewelry with this mineral the pride of their collection.
Little conclusion
Of course, it should be noted that moissanite is a very expensive pleasure! The cost of small rare stones is many times higher than diamonds. But, despite this, jewelry with moissanite are incredibly popular. Undoubtedly, the future of jewelry is behind the “heavenly” stone!