The story behind the discovery of moissanite gemstones is pretty interesting and marks the start of a revolution in changing the jewelry industry and maybe the world at large.
Stick with us as we take you on a walk through history.
Table of Contents
History and Genesis
Discovered in Arizona back in 1893 by the french-born eventual Nobel Prize winner, Henri Moissan is the moissanite gemstone. Interestingly enough, discovering moissanite wasn’t his primary goal.
He was in the process of looking for crystalline chemical compositions ideal for efficient electrical conductivity. During the search, Dr. Moissan discovered silicon carbide—a remarkable and extremely rare mineral( that was previously known to only exist in the confines of a laboratory)in a meteorite crater in Arizona.
The rare mineral was later named after him, as he was the first person to identify and isolate the mineral in its pure form.
Moissan was examining rock samples from a meteor crater in Arizona when he found small, glittering crystals that he couldn’t identify. After multiple research, he eventually discovered that the mineral was a naturally occurring form of silicon carbide (SiC), a compound that was previously only known to exist in laboratory conditions.
Over the next century, moissanite remained a scientific curiosity, with very little commercial or practical use for the mineral. However, advancements in technology in the late 20th century made it possible to produce synthetic moissanite, which had a much higher level of purity and clarity than naturally occurring minerals.
In the 1990s, Charles & Colvard, a company specializing in the creation of fine jewelry, began to market synthetic moissanite as a diamond alternative. Moissanite was praised for its unique brilliance and fire, which was said to be even greater than that of a diamond. Additionally, moissanite was significantly less expensive than a diamond, making it a more accessible option for consumers.
The story sounds somewhat unbelievable, but in reality, the truth is written above, and the rock was named after him due to the vet he was the one who saw it first.
More heartbreakingly, Dr. Henri spent the rest of his life trying to recreate the greatest finding of his life, but it all ended in futility.
The enigma continued for more than 100 years since anyone even came remotely close to being able to achieve the almost impossible task, until the late 90’s when the scientists – working in a research laboratory located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina – developed the innovative thermal growing process that creates silicon carbide crystals.
Impact of Moissanite on the Gemstone Industry
This mineral was initially found in a meteor crater in Arizona and was initially thought to be a diamond. Over time, the mineral was found to have unique properties, including exceptional brilliance and fire, which made it a popular choice for jewelry.
The introduction of moissanite into the gemstone industry had a profound impact on the industry as a whole. First, moissanite offered an affordable alternative to diamond, which was traditionally the most sought-after gemstone in the world. Moissanite is significantly cheaper than diamond, making it more accessible to a wider range of consumers. This led to a rise in demand for moissanite, which in turn created a new market segment in the gemstone industry.
In addition to affordability, moissanite also offers a number of other advantages compared to other gemstones. For example, moissanite is harder and more durable than most other gemstones, making it a great choice for everyday wear. It is also more resistant to scratches, chips, and other types of damage that typically affect other gems.
Another important impact of moissanite on the gemstone industry is that it challenged the traditional notions of what constitutes a precious gemstone. Prior to the introduction of moissanite, diamonds were considered the only true precious gemstone, with other gems being considered less valuable. However, with the popularity of moissanite, consumers began to see the value of other gems, leading to a rise in demand for other types of gems as well.
The introduction of moissanite into the gemstone industry has also led to a new focus on ethical sourcing and responsible mining practices. Many consumers are now more concerned about the environmental impact of mining and the labor conditions of workers in the mines. As a result, many companies in the gemstone industry are now more focused on ethical sourcing and responsible mining practices, which has had a positive impact on the industry as a whole.
Although the market for Moissanite is not as large or famous yet, it sure has made great progress in the last few decades, creating an alternative for people who want affordable, high-quality gemstones.
Method of Creation
Moissanite is produced through a process called high-temperature, high-pressure (HTHP) synthesis. This process involves using high temperatures and high pressures to recreate the conditions under which moissanite is naturally formed.
Here are the steps involved in the HTHP synthesis of moissanite:
- Raw materials: The raw materials used to produce moissanite are silicon carbide powder and a metal catalyst. The silicon carbide powder is mixed with the metal catalyst to form a slurry.
- Pressing: The slurry is then placed into a high-pressure press, where it is subjected to high pressures of over 70,000 atmospheres. This process compacts the slurry into a dense, homogeneous material.
- Heating: After pressing, the material is subjected to high temperatures of over 2,500°C in a specialized furnace. This heat treatment causes the metal catalyst to react with the silicon carbide powder, forming the crystal structure of moissanite.
- Cooling: After heating, the material is slowly cooled to room temperature. During this process, the moissanite crystals grow within the material.
- Sizing and shaping: Once the material has cooled, it is cut and shaped into the desired size and shape for use as a gemstone.
- Polishing: Finally, the moissanite is polished to enhance its brilliance and fire. The resulting gemstone is a high-quality, synthetic moissanite that is virtually indistinguishable from natural moissanite.
As opposed to lab-grown diamonds which are made using the CVD method, most moissanite rings are made through the HTHP method, which was the initial method used for creating lab-grown diamonds.
Is it just “Fake Diamond”?
In conclusion, the level of social acceptance of moissanite rings is still a topic of debate, with some people viewing it as a high-quality alternative to diamonds, while others view it as a “fake” gemstone.
However, as awareness of the ethical and environmental issues associated with diamond mining continues to grow and as the quality of synthetic moissanite continues to improve, it is likely that the level of social acceptance of moissanite rings will continue to increase.
