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Synthetic Moissanite
Moissanite is a new product but its origins go back to 1893 when Dr. Henri
Moissan, a French chemist and later a Nobel Prize winner, identified minute
quantities of natural silicon carbide, known as lusenite, in the Diablo Canyon
meteorite found in a remote area of Arizona. Recently, these elements were replicated
in a synthetic material to produce a synthetic gemstone with similar properties
to diamond. The gemstone is more brilliant than diamond, Refractive Index 2.65-2.69,
has a higher lustre than diamond at 20.4%, and a hardness of 9.25 , diamond
being 10. Relative Density: 3.21. Because moissanite replicates a diamond so
well, it could be sold as a diamond to the unwary buyer.
| Properties |
| |
Refractive Index (Brilliance) |
Dispersion (Fire) |
Luster |
Mohs Hardness |
Toughness |
Specific Gravity |
|
Synthetic Moissanite
|
2.65 - 2.69 |
0.104 |
20.4% |
9.25 |
Excellent |
3.21 |
|
Diamond |
2.42 |
0.044 |
17.2% |
10 |
Good |
3.52 |
|
Cubic Zirconia |
2.17 |
0.066 |
N/A |
8.25 |
Good |
5.80 |
|
Sapphire |
1.77 |
0.018 |
7.4% |
9 |
Excellent |
4.00 |
|
Emerald |
1.58 |
0.014 |
4.8% |
7.5 |
Good to Poor |
2.72 |
Original document: http://www.jewellerycatalogue.co.uk/diamonds/simulants_info.php
More info:
Facts About Moissanite
How Moissanite Jewels Work
Moissanite is Making a Splash
Moissanite
|
