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What Is Moissanite?
A gemstone with a character all its own.
Silicon carbide, not diamond
Moissanite is silicon carbide (SiC). Diamond is carbon. Naturally occurring moissanite is very rare; moissanite used in modern jewelry is typically laboratory created. It is a distinct gemstone, not a laboratory-grown diamond.
Brilliance and fire
Moissanite has a refractive index of approximately 2.65–2.69 and dispersion around 0.104, compared with diamond at approximately 2.42 and 0.044. Dispersion describes the separation of light into spectral colors. Cut, lighting and stone size all influence the sparkle you see.
Durability and choosing a piece
Moissanite measures approximately 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale. Hardness measures scratch resistance, not immunity to chips or impact. Compare cut, dimensions, setting security and supplier documentation, and check whether stated carat weight is actual weight or diamond-equivalent size.