| ite is a very affordable alternative to diamonds, | | | | SI quality diamonds. Created moissanite is able to |
| one that everyone can afford. The reproduction | | | | withstand heat better than a diamond. At a |
| of moissanite in a laboratory began in 1995. | | | | temperature of 1100 degrees Celsius a diamond |
| Created moissanite is a lab created stone that is | | | | will catch fire, burn, and eventually vaporize. A |
| based on the structure of natural moissanite, | | | | created moissanite stone will remain intact. |
| which is a crystal found in meterorites. Because | | | | The good news about created moissanite is that |
| moissanite occurs so rarely and is so small in | | | | some jewelers cannot tell the difference between |
| nature in order to supply jewelry needs it is | | | | colorless created moissanite and colorless |
| grown in labs. | | | | diamonds. However, you want to make sure that |
| Moissanites are not sold by carat size like | | | | what you are purchasing is actually a moissanite |
| diamonds, but are sold by size measured in | | | | and not a much cheaper imitation CZ. There are |
| millimeters. Charles & Colvard who are the | | | | lab instruments available to jewelers to help them |
| sole-source manufacturer of moissanite do not | | | | distinguish the difference. Jewelers can use a |
| allow jewelers to sell loose stones. | | | | probe called a moissanite probe or microscope |
| Laboratory created moissanite has a hardness | | | | and some know how to distinguish "double |
| rating of 9.25. The hardness rating of a diamond is | | | | refraction" in moissanites. |
| 10. It is said that the most important | | | | To make sure that what you purchase is a |
| characteristics of a jewel are it's beauty, durability | | | | moissanite and not a cheap imitation make sure |
| and rarity. Some lab created moissanite stones | | | | you buy from a reputable dealer and get a |
| actually have more brilliance and luster than actual | | | | written verification from this dealer. It is also |
| diamonds. These are called optical qualities. | | | | suggested that you get a written verification of |
| Created moissanites are as clear or "eye clean" as | | | | the stone as well as a certified appraisal. |