Identifying Moissanite

Because of the higher dispersion factor (ability to split light into rainbow colors) that gives Moissanite its signature fire, it can be easily identified when compared to a natural diamond. Anyone who has seen a few real diamonds would also be able to pick it in most lighting conditions as well. However to the untrained eye, it might not be so obvious. Interestingly too, Moissanite can actually fool some diamond testing machines (thermal testers) and produce a false positive. However it is safe to say that if a thermal diamond tester gives a positive result, the stone is either a diamond or Moissanite – no other stones will give the same result. It should then be a simple matter to distinguish between the two visually. In addition to the dispersion, birefraction will produce a visible difference. As mentioned previously in my article about Moissanite jewelry, birefraction is caused by the internal crystalline structure of the gem, and results in facets of the gem looking ‘fuzzy’ when viewed from certain angles. Finally, Moissanite can sometimes be identified by long thin ‘inclusions’ (imperfections) in the stone, visible under magnification.

Caring for Moissanite

Moissanite is extremely hard, close to a real diamond, so you don’t have to worry about it chipping or wearing more than any other jewelry. The metal that it is set in is more likely to become damaged than the stone itself, but sensible precautions will be enough – as with any jewelry, don’t store your rings or other pieces anywhere that they might move and scratch each other.

Moissanite jewelry can be cleaned using a any acid free cleaner. Often, soap and water and a small brush like a toothbrush will be enough to clean your jewelry. However an ultrasonic bath is another practical method.

Finding Moissanite for sale online is easy, with Amazon being a great example of a reputable supplier, carrying a range of Moissanite earrings, Moissanite engagement rings, wedding bands and sets, and other general jewelry. Here is a look at some lovely pieces that are reasonably priced, and show the versatility of this stone. It’s worth noting that Moissanite is considered a better quality stone than Cubic Zirconia due to its hardness and brilliance. It is also a more complicated process to produce the gem, and these factors are reflected in the price to some extent.

First off, this modern styled Moissanite ring is in 14k white gold, and could make a unique engagement ring or even just a present for a special someone. This ring contains a single 1/4 carat gem, prong set, and is currently on sale for $229.	This elegant 14k white gold Moissanite solitaire engagement ring has a 3/4 carat brilliant cut stone, claw set. A good buy at $489. This type of ring is designed to showcase the stone, and the briliance of Moissanite will work really well with the white gold in this setting.
These Moissanite stud earrings in 14k white gold are 1/5 carat per stone, and are a modern, clean design. These are a good entry level set of earrings, retailing for $119.	Finally, these Moissanite dress earrings are 1/3 carats per earring. They are a dressy filigree design in white gold that would suit formal occasions or anywhere that calls for a little class. These earrings use a lever-back fastener and are available on sale for $229, down from $395.

Moissanite vs Cubic Zirconia & Diamonds

Interestingly, Moissanite is harder than Cubic Zirconia, coming close to a real diamond in hardness measured on the Mohs scale, rating a 9.25 vs 8.5 for a CZ. One of the key differences is its much higher level of dispersion. Dispersion in jewelry refers to the ability of the gem to split light into it’s rainbow of separate colors. The effect of this is to give Moissanite an incredible rainbow color effect compared to other diamond simulants. This certainly makes it distinguishable from a real thing, at least to an experienced observer, but many buyers actually find this a desirable quality, with their jewelry having amazing brilliance and fire.

One of the only problems with Moissanite, and it certainly is something that can be worked around, is birefringence. This quality means that light travelling through the stone is split into separate paths, giving a slightly ‘fuzzy’ appearance to the internal lines created by the facets. This can be alleviated to some extent by careful cutting of the gem, which is one reason that a reputable dealer is worth the slight extra expense.

Production

Moissanite is Silicon Carbide (SiC, also called Carborundum), and it is easy to mass produce the mineral using a mixture of coke or coal which is electrically heated to high temperatures. This process is done on an industrial scale to produce hundreds of tons of the material for use as an abrasive. However this process does not result in a gem grade material, being instead a coarse black mass. To make a true gem grade material a more controlled growth process is required. In a similar fashion to lab created diamonds, SiC is vaporized into a gas, and then introduced to a high temperature chamber containing seed crystals of Moissanite. This process can produce large crystals in less than a day.

Buying

As with any gem, shoppers are advised that you usually get what you pay for. You may be able to find cheap or discounted Moissanite on auction sites like ebay, but be aware of the language used by some retailers and make sure to read the fine print.

This means that lab created Emerald jewelry offers stunningly clear, large stones that work well with or without other synthetic stones like lab created Diamonds. This is a collection of the most beautiful and modern designs in lab created emerald rings, all from the created jewelry experts at finejewelers.com.

First, this stunning 14k Gold Lab Created Heart Shape Emerald and Diamond Ring which is on sale at $299. This ring features a total of 4 carats of created Emeralds, with the two main stones very tastefully set in a ring that comes in either white or yellow gold. 2 small natural diamonds are included. Jewelry aficionados will realize that this ring for under $300 is a steal given the size of the Emerald – a mined stone could cost as much as 5 or 10 times more yet have more inclusions than a created Emerald. Click here for more details or to buy one for yourself – or that special someone.

If you are looking for something a little understated yet elegant, take a look at this 10k Gold Lab Created Round Emerald and Diamond Ring. This one retails for $359, but is an absolute steal at the moment for $179. Featuring a 1.5 carat round brilliant cut stone, offset by two natural diamonds, this would be suitable for evening or casual wear. As with the previous ring, this is available in white or yellow gold.

Finally, this ultra stylish created Emerald ring is easily within reach at $129. With a shank of Sterling silver and plated with 14K white gold, the 1.3 carat created emerald is set with twin baguette cut white Topaz. In a design for the young, or young at heart, this could be dressed up or down as desired.

Of course, you can view this ring and many other styles before making a decision. If you head on over to Fine Jewelers you can score 10% off and free shipping for a limited time. Just use code PR2532Z when you complete a purchase.

More about created Emeralds

Emeralds are in the group of gems known as Beryl. Structurally the same apart from a small number of particles which are responsible for the differing colors, this family also includes the rare Red Beryl or Red Emerald, Heliodor and Goshenite.

Created emeralds can be produced in the lab by several different methods. The best quality lab created emeralds are made using the hydrothermal method. This method produces single, high quality crystals and works by introducing dissolved minerals to an aqueous environment under pressure and at high temperature. The temperature in the chamber is controlled so that minerals come out of solution and grow crystals over a period of days. Many different created gemstones can be produced using this method.

In particular, I’m really into the old-world, antique styled stuff – in fact, you could still use a lab stone in a semi-precious metal fitting and have a beautiful and cheap piece! For some examples of this style, have a look at this necklace (actually very cheap at $50 odd dollars). Note – I have no affiliation with this site so can’t tell you what their customer service or reliability is like.

If you’re into that style but want something a little more mainstream, I’ve seen some lovely things in the range of Pandora charms, with pictures at that link. These are a great fusion of modern design sensibilities but still referencing some of the vintage style – or maybe it’s just the elegance of their flowing lines that reminds me of more classic pieces. For a good example of what I mean, try searching for their ‘Lovepods’ series. These use a range of semi precious stones – I liked the quartz crystal ring and if you’re interested in cheaper and created gems, these might be worth checking out too!

Moissanite

Moissanite is named after its discoverer, Henri Moussan. He was digging around in Canyon Diablo in Arizona when he came upon it. Today a synthetic gem-cut version is popular in place of diamonds in jewelry.

Cubic Zirconia

Cubic zirconia is very hard, normally has no color, and is optically flawless. Chemically it is a form of zirconium dioxide. With moissanite running a close second, this is diamonds’ greatest synthetic competitor since the mid 1970’s, probably due to its affordability as much as any other single factor. Cubic zirconia rings are a popular choice for buyers with lower income who are still looking for a beautiful stone, and is considered one of the best simulated diamonds. Simulated diamond jewelry made with cubic zirconias is very common, particularly on ebay. Be cautious of how this is described if you’re after a real created diamond however, as some vendors make listings for CZ jewelry sound like the real thing.

Colourless Synthetic Corundum (sapphire)

Colourless synthetic corundum is very simple to create. Because of this the market became somewhat flooded, dropping the price. That said, it is still a beautiful sapphire stone.

Synthetic Spinel

This synthetic diamond simulant has been produced by both the Verneuil Process and the flux method (in Russia). It can be found in all naturally occurring colors, as well as some which don’t occur in nature. It is very lovely, I must say.

Strontium Titanate

The natural counterpart of this stone is called tausonite and was discovered long after the original synthesis in Siberia. Interestingly, strontium titanate is both denser and softer than real diamonds.

Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (YAG)

YAG is in the  garnet family. These diamond simulants are known for both their durability and their clarity. Unfortunately, the production was basically all but ceased with the emergence of cubic zirconia.

Gadolinium Gallium Garnet (GGG)

Gadolinium gallium garnet: say that three times fast! This is another member of the garnet family, obviously. It is most often found to be colorless. Its crystals are made through the Czochralski method and the color can be doped into various varieties.

So there you have it: a brief history of diamond simulants, both popular and rare. Remember that some of these would not necessarily make sense to purchase or use anymore nowadays, because they have been replaced by better looking and performing synthetics, such as the cubic zirconia. Nevertheless, it is good to know the history of simulants in order to understand what the state of the market is today, and what you might hear when shopping for a lab created diamond of your own.

Sapphire

Let’s take a look at true lab sapphire. This is made of corundum as is the naturally occurring stone. In fact, it is created from a powder of real sapphire, so that is about as close as you’re ever going to get to the real thing. The good thing, of course, is that this will cost you much less than the real thing. If not for that, I suppose there would be no market for lab created stones.

Ruby

Now, lab created ruby can also be very beautiful. Like its predecessor it is made out of corundum. Those who love the passionate color red will have to take a second look at this first-rate creation, as it looks and feels essentially just like a real ruby. It is very stunning, and as always you can save a lot of money going this route. (Not that anyone ahs to know that!)

Emerald

Finally we come to emerald. This is a member of the beryl family as all lovers of the color green will likely already know. One good thing about going with the lab created emeralds is that they typically have a higher degree of perfection than is normally found out in the wild. This is really one of the unsung reasons to choose synthetic other than the price. Of course, you will find that it is made of the same materials composed in the same way too.

Keep in mind that all of these pieces are literally grown in a lab, and as such can be subject to the ever-watchful eye of their overseers. This degree of attention has created some truly brilliant lab created stones over the years, and will doubtless continue to do so. There is no better way to get to wear the “real” thing without having to pay for it. Every color and gem can be represented so exquisitely that everyone you know will truly be impressed.

First of all, most jewelers recommend that you should absolutely select your diamond before you start to consider the setting to put it in. Obviously the diamond is the centerpiece, and the setting is only the platform upon which it is presented. There is plenty of information here on choosing a lab created diamond, and after you have chosen one, you will have better information to use in making your choice of setting.

One of the most perennially favorite settings for diamonds is the bezel style. A lot of people think this is just an old-fashioned look, but in fact it can be cut in a way that is very modern. Its overall look and feel is that of both elegance and simplicity. That is why it appeals to so many women.

Bezel Setting

The prong, or “claw”, setting is very popular indeed. It may grace more women’s fingers than any other style in the world. It consists of at least three prongs which come up and then wrap around the crown of the diamond. This is very common in solitaire engagement rings.

Claw Setting

Finally, you may want to consider the beautiful and extravagant pave setting. This is made up of many diamonds which are held together by a system of beads. It gives the appearance of a bunch of radiant diamonds. In fact, you may even hear this one referred to as a “bead” styling.

Pave Setting

This is only a short list of the settings for diamonds that are available. Though it represents the most common kinds, you should shop around to find what works best for you and for the created diamond or other man made gem that you have chosen.