Moissanite is a rare, naturally occurring mineral also known as silicon carbide. It was first discovered by the Nobel Prize-winning chemist Dr. Henri Moissan at the site of a massive meteorite strike in Arizona. This intriguing new stone was named “moissanite” in his honor.

In the late 90’s, scientists developed the innovative thermal growing process that creates silicon carbide crystals in a lab. These crystals are cut and faceted into moissanite gemstones and they rival any natural gemstone in fire and brilliance.

In terms of toughness, moissanite ranks second on the Mohs hardness scale just behind diamond in hardness and scratch resistance. Moissanite’s durability makes it an ideal gem for daily wear and ensures it will last a lifetime.

Moissanite brilliance refers to its sparkle! The chemical structure of moissanite allows it to slow down, bend, and redirect light better than any other gemstone. This incredible sparkle measures between 2.65 and 2.69 on the refractive index, making moissanite the world’s most brilliant gem.

Moissanite gems are known for their fire or dispersion, which is defined as a gemstone’s ability to split light to create a rainbow-like effect. Moissanite has more fire than any other gemstone - including diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald!

Moissanite is an incredible gemstone that costs a fraction of what a mined diamond costs. Though more affordable, the quality of moissanite production influences its price. Our process starts in a high-tech lab and once the moissanite is grown, it’s then hand cut and faceted by our experts (using patented technology) to ensure only the highest quality gems are produced.

Moissanite is a unique gemstone with its own chemical, physical and optical properties. While it is often compared to a diamond, moissanite has distinct characteristics that make it very different. Moissanite has more fire and brilliance than a diamond at a fraction of the cost. The quality and value of moissanite is often better than that of mined diamonds.

To the naked eye, the most visible differences between moissanite and diamonds are the fire and sparkle. Moissanite has more fire than a diamond and reflects a rainbow of colors when light passes through the gemstone. Moissanite is also more brilliant than a diamond, meaning it has more sparkle!

Charles & Colvard is the premium destination to buy moissanite gems and jewelry. Forever One gems are the pinnacle of moissanite. The silicon carbide material used to make Forever One moissanite is manufactured through a patented process that results in unparalleled clarity compared to other moissanite on the market today. As the original creators of moissanite, Charles & Colvard has more than 25 years of experience cutting and polishing its gems. It’s through progressive technology and relentless innovation that Charles & Colvard created its proprietary specifications to maximize the fire and brilliance of these exceptional gemstones.

Moissanite grading uses a color grading scale that is based upon the GIA diamond color grading scale. There are three grades of moissanite available today: colorless (D-E-F range), near-colorless (G-H range) and with faint hues of color (J-K range).

Moissanite offers unmatched brilliance and fire at a fraction of the cost of diamonds. Moissanite’s durability makes it an ideal gem for daily wear and ensures it will last a lifetime. So is Moissanite worth it? The answer is a resounding yes.

Moissanite and Lab-Grown Diamonds are not the same. Moissanite is a unique gemstone with its own chemical, physical and optical properties.

Naturally occurring moissanite is rare - originally discovered inside of a meteorite crater by Henri Moissan. Modern methods for growing crystals create gems that are chemically, physically and optically identical to naturally occurring moissanite.

The quality of any gemstone, including moissanite, is based on its cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Gems are cut in such a way as to bring out their full beauty. Higher quality moissanite gems are cut to maximize fire and brilliance. A gem's quality is also determined by how clear and how flawless it is.

Moissanite is an extremely hard gem that commonly measures 9.25 - 9.5 on the Mohs scale. Because of its superior durability, Moissanite is suitable for everyday wear and can last as long as a diamond.