Moissanite (pronounced moy-sun-ite) is an alternative simulated diamond that has been of increasing interest over the last few years. With a fascinating history – it was discovered in meteorite fragments in 1893 – this mineral is actually extremely rare in nature. In fact there is so little, and the pieces are so small, that any moissanite jewelry must be synthetic. Luckily for consumers looking to buy moissanite jewelry , it is produced in quantity for gem use by dealers Charles and Colvard, who hold a patent for their method of producing the gem.
What is moissanite jewelry?
Interestingly, natural moissanite jewelry is harder than Cubic Zirconia, coming close to a natural 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. A point to consider if choosing between Moissanite vs diamonds for your next piece of jewelry.
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.
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.
How to clean moissanite jewelry?
Whether you have a gorgeous moissanite engagement ring, a simple moissanite or diamond necklace, a bracelet, or any other piece of moissanite jewelry, you know how important it is to keep them clean. Cleansing is necessary to keep the gems shining and sparkling and their fire to last.
Moissanite tends to tarnish with oil from soaps, cosmetics, skin, and your activities throughout the day. Here are some easy ways to wash and make your moissanite stone jewelry sparkle and look their best:
- A soft toothbrush, dish soap and hot or lukewarm water, that's it! Do you want your jewelry moissanite to look beautiful? First prepare a bowl of warm or hot soapy water. Make sure you use liquid soap (abrasive cleaners are not recommended). Gently clean the jewelry with a soft toothbrush and then rinse it well under hot water. You can then leave the decoration to air dry, using a hair dryer or paper towel as desired. This can be done as often as you like.
- Use a commercial jewelry cleaner. You can always purchase a non-toxic liquid moissanite jewelry cleaner. These cleaners are extremely effective in removing dirt and film that can build up on jewelry.
- Ultrasonic cleaners. This method is used by most jewelers before sending their clients' orders. They fill the machine with water and cleaning solution, and then place moissanite jewelry in it. A few minutes later, when the cleaning process is complete, they take out the jewelry, which is now clean and shiny. This method is not recommended for use outside of a jewelry shop, as the moissanite stone jewelry can become loose due to machine vibration. When used in a shop, the jeweler will usually check for loose stones and tighten anything that may appear loose before handing over the ring.
Where to buy moissanite jewelry in Dallas, TX
Finding moissanite jewelry 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. As with any gem, shoppers are advised that you usually get what you pay for. You may be able to find cheap or discounted jewelry moissanite on auction sites like ebay, but be aware of the language used by some retailers and make sure to read the fine print.
But where can I buy moissanite jewelry in Dallas? You can buy moissanite jewelry in our store based on the price and your need for jewelry. In our jewelry store, you can order custom moissanite jewelry and at the same time remain unique with jewelry on the whole planet. Our jewelers are highly experienced in creating unique pieces of moissanite jewelry where you have to tell the jeweler what you want and the jeweler will do the rest for you! Please contact us to order moissanite jewelry.
