Moissanites are gemstones that have gained popularity as diamond alternatives due to their visual similarity to diamonds. They are composed of silicon carbide and were first discovered by Nobel Prize-winning chemist Dr. Henri Moissan in 1893 in a meteor crater in Arizona. Moissanite crystals are extremely rare in nature, but they are now created in laboratories for use in jewelry. 1. Origin: Moissanites created in laboratories are known as lab-grown or synthetic moissanites. They have the same chemical composition and physical properties as natural moissanites.
2. Hardness: Moissanite ranks among the hardest known minerals, trailing closely behind diamonds on the Mohs scale of hardness. This exceptional hardness ensures its durability for everyday wear and resistance to most scratches. However, it's important to note that, like all gemstones, moissanite is not entirely impervious to abrasions and may display minor signs of wear when exposed to sharp objects. In comparison, lab-grown diamonds often exhibit something close to natural diamond scratch-resistant properties.
3. Brilliance: While moissanites can closely resemble diamonds, they often exhibit a distinct play of colors with a rainbow-like glint, which sets them apart from the traditional, bright sparkle of natural diamonds. This is a common distinguishing feature observed in moissanites. In contrast, lab-grown diamonds share the same brilliant sparkle as natural diamonds, making them virtually indistinguishable in this aspect.
4. Ethical and Environmental Factors: Lab-created moissanites are regarded as ethical and sustainable options, as they are not mined, which significantly reduces their environmental impact and the potential risk of conflict associated with traditional diamond mining. On the other hand, lab-grown diamonds, while created in a laboratory setting, closely simulate the natural formation process of diamonds inside the Earth's mantle. This method reduces the environmental impact typically associated with traditional mining practices, making them another eco-friendly choice in the world of gemstones.
5. Cost: Moissanites are typically significantly more affordable than natural diamonds of similar size and quality. In comparison, lab-grown diamonds are somewhat more expensive than moissanites but still considerably more budget-friendly than their natural diamond counterparts.
Conclusion: Lab-grown diamonds represent the closest alternative to natural diamonds in terms of visual and physical properties. While moissanites remain a viable choice, closer scrutiny under a 14x loupe may reveal more noticeable distinctions compared to natural diamonds. Our assessment leads us to recommend lab-grown diamonds as the preferred alternative when seeking a comparable option to natural diamonds. Lab Grown Diamonds can also be named as - Man created diamonds, Lab created diamonds, lab stone, engineered diamond, engineered stone, Man made diamond,