Moissanite

Background and Discovery of Moissanite

• Moissanite was discovered by Henri Moissan in 1893 while examining rock samples from a meteor crater in Arizona.
• Initially mistaken for diamonds, the crystals were later identified as silicon carbide.
• Artificial silicon carbide had been synthesized in the lab by Edward G. Acheson in 1891.
• The mineral form of silicon carbide was named moissanite in honor of Moissan.
• Moissanite is one of the hardest substances known, with a hardness just below that of diamond.

Geological Occurrence and Meteorites

• Natural moissanite is very rare.
• Until the 1950s, moissanite was only found as presolar grains in meteorites.
• In 1958, moissanite was discovered in the Green River Formation in Wyoming.
• In 1959, moissanite was found in kimberlite from a diamond mine in Yakutia, Russia.
• Moissanite occurs naturally as inclusions in diamonds and other ultramafic rocks.
• Silicon carbide grains found in the Murchison meteorite have isotopic ratios indicating an extraterrestrial origin.
• Most silicon carbide grains originate from carbon-rich asymptotic giant branch stars.
• The discovery of moissanite in meteorites was delayed due to contamination from man-made abrasive tools.
• Moissanite is commonly found in meteorites and around carbon-rich stars.
• The existence of moissanite in nature was questioned until 1986.

Physical Properties of Moissanite

• Moissanite has a crystalline structure held together with strong covalent bonding, similar to diamonds.
• It can withstand high pressures up to 52.1 gigapascals.
• Moissanite's color varies widely and is graded on the diamond color grading scale.
• It is one of the hardest substances known.
• Moissanite can be made synthetically from thermal decomposition of certain polymers.

Production and Applications of Moissanite

• All applications of moissanite today use synthetic material.
• The idea of a silicon-carbon bond in nature was proposed in 1824.
• Viable minerals that could substitute for diamond were produced in 1891.
• Cree Research, Inc. developed a commercial process for producing large single crystals of silicon carbide.
• Charles & Colvard was the first company to produce and sell synthetic moissanite.
• Moissanite is primarily used as a gemstone in jewelry.
• It is a popular alternative to diamonds due to its similar appearance and lower cost.
• Moissanite is also used in various industrial applications, such as high-power electronics and radiation dosimetry.
• Its high thermal conductivity makes it suitable for heat sinks and electronic components.
• Moissanite is used in scientific research and experimentation due to its unique properties.

Comparison to Diamonds and Market Value

• Moissanite has a similar appearance to diamonds and is often mistaken for them.
• It has a higher refractive index and dispersion than diamonds, resulting in more brilliance and fire.
• Moissanite is more affordable than diamonds of similar size and quality.
• It is also more durable and less prone to scratching than diamonds.
• However, diamonds still hold a higher market value and prestige in the jewelry industry.

Moissanite Mentions

Moissanite Data Sources