Moissanite

Moissanite: The World’s Most Brilliant Gemstone

Moissanite is a remarkable mineral composed of silicon carbide (SiC) that occurs naturally and can also be laboratory-grown. Discovered in 1893 by Nobel Prize-winning French chemist Dr. Henri Moissan, this extraordinary gem was first identified during his search for crystalline chemical compositions suitable for efficient electrical conductivity. While exploring a meteorite crater in Canyon Diablo, Arizona, Dr. Moissan encountered silicon carbide—a mineral so rare that it was later named “moissanite” in his honor.

Natural moissanite is incredibly scarce, found only in upper mantle rock and meteorites. Due to its rarity, laboratory creation is essential to produce pieces large enough for gemstone use. When expertly cut and faceted, moissanite becomes the most brilliant gemstone in the world, showcasing unmatched sparkle and fire.

In 1995, Charles & Colvard, the pioneers of synthetic moissanite, brought this vision to life. Under U.S. patent US5723391 A (filed by C3 Inc. in North Carolina), they became the first company to produce and sell moissanite gems. The creation process for moissanite is meticulous, requiring two to three months to produce a single gem.

Moissanite’s brilliance is its defining feature. Its unique chemical structure bends, slows, and redirects light better than any other gemstone, achieving an impressive refractive index of 2.65–2.69. This extraordinary sparkle makes moissanite the world’s most brilliant gem. Additionally, moissanite ranks second only to diamond on the Mohs hardness scale, offering exceptional toughness and scratch resistance. Its durability makes it perfect for daily wear and ensures a lifetime of beauty.

Whether you prefer the classic elegance of a round cut or the distinct sophistication of an emerald shape, the brilliance of this gemstone is worth experiencing in person! At Cleo & Me, we are proud to be an authorized distributor of certified Charles & Colvard moissanite. We also offer the exclusive Cleo & Me colored moissanite collection, featuring a variety of stunning colors and shapes to suit your individual style.

SHOP ALL LOOSE MOISSANITE

Are Moissanite the same as Lab-Grown Diamonds?

Although they're both created in lab, moissanite and lab-grown diamonds are not the same. Moissanite is a unique gemstone with its own distinct chemical, physical, and optical properties. While it is often compared to a diamond, moissanite has distinct characteristics that make it very different. Moissanite has more fire and brilliance than a diamond at a fraction of the cost. The quality and value of moissanite is often better than that of mined diamonds.

See the comparison below

MOISSANITE vs. LAB DIAMOND

MOISSANITE

LAB DIAMOND

Durability

Gemstones are measured on the Mohs scale, which addresses a gem's hardness.

9.25/10

Moissanites are at 9.25 on the Mohs scale, making them suitable for everyday wear.

10/10

Lab diamonds are a 10 on the Mohs scale, making them the ideal option for engagement rings.

Brilliance

Brilliance refers to the appearance of light reflected from the gemstone's interior.

2.64-2.69/4.1

Moissanites are slightly more brilliant than diamonds, though they feature more than twice the amount of fire. If a moissanite is larger than 1 carat, the difference in fire can be very noticeable as it has a refractive index of 2.64 to 2.69.

2.417-2.419/4.1

Lab diamonds are slightly less brilliant than moissanite and feature two times less fire, though they still exhibit dispersion and scintillation. The refractive index of diamonds ranges from 2.417 to 2.419.

Color

Color is the presence or absence of color visible within a gemstone.

More color variety

Moissanite is available in a wide range of colors, including:

• Colorless to near-colorless (graded similar to diamonds: D–K)

• Fancy colors, such as yellow, green, gray, pink, and blue.

This variety is due to its synthetic production, which allows for precise control over trace elements introduced during the creation process.

Less color variety

Lab-grown diamonds are primarily produced in the following colors:

• Colorless to near-colorless (D–K)

• Fancy colors, such as yellow, pink, blue, and sometimes green, achieved by introducing specific impurities (e.g., nitrogen for yellow or boron for blue).

While lab-grown diamonds can be produced in fancy colors, the variety and affordability are often more limited compared to moissanite.

Price

Price references how much you will pay for a gemstone.

More affordable

Moissanite is dramatically lower in price than diamonds of the same carat weight. Their pricing is based on size, shape, and whether the stone is colorless or near colorless.

More expensive

Lab diamonds cost less than their natural counterparts due to their origin but still cost much more than moissanite. As with natural diamonds, lab diamonds are priced based on their 4 C's and shape.

Growing Method

It refers to how a gemstone is created in a laboratory.

Thermal Growth Process

Moissanite is created in a lab using a process that involves growing silicon carbide (SiC) crystals in controlled high-temperature conditions. The process requires extremely pure raw materials and precise control of temperature and pressure.

Since silicon carbide is very challenging to grow without defects, producing high-quality moissanite suitable for gemstones is both time-intensive and complex, typically taking 2–3 months for a single crystal.

HPHT or CVD

1. High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) Method

This process mimics the natural formation of diamonds in the Earth’s mantle. Carbon is subjected to extreme pressure (5–6 GPa) and high temperatures (1300–1600°C) in a press. A small diamond “seed” is placed in the chamber to act as a nucleation point for the carbon to crystallize around, forming a diamond.

2. Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) Method

In the CVD process, a thin slice of diamond seed is placed in a vacuum chamber filled with a gas mixture, typically methane and hydrogen. The gas is exposed to high-energy plasma, causing carbon atoms to deposit onto the seed layer by layer, growing a diamond crystal over time.

Discover the beauty of Moissanite

Cleo & Me specializes in both colorless and colored moissanite, available in a full range of shapes and sizes. We proudly offer our own signature Cleo & Me moissanite collection. We are also an authorized retailer of Charles & Colvard, the original creator of moissanite.

Ethically sourced and environmentally conscious, both collections embody superior quality and timeless beauty—offering a luxurious yet responsible choice for today’s modern jewelry lovers.