Q:
What is moissanite? Where did the name moissanite come
from?
A:
Created moissanite is silicon carbide formed as a single
crystal. Moissanite is a naturally occurring mineral
found in limited quantities in the earth. Discovered in
1893 by Dr. Henri Moissan, the jewel was later named in
his honor. The natural quantities of moissanite are too
small to create jewelry. The jewel was created through a
combination of science and art.
Q: How
can they claim that moissanite is "rare" when
silicon carbide is a very common abrasive?
A:
Abrasives formed of silicon carbide powder are
inexpensive to manufacture. Large single-crystal silicon
carbide is extremely difficult to produce. Charles &
Colvard have U.S. and international patent protection
for moissanite jewels.
Q: Is
it a synthetic diamond?
A: No. A
lab-created jewel is cut to take advantage of the
exceptional properties most of us like to see in fine
jewelry.
Q: Is
created moissanite available in different colors?
A: Yes,
it is available as near colorless or as a limited number
of green and yellow tints.
Q: How
is moissanite made?
A:
Single-crystal moissanite is manufactured through a
patented thermal growing process, the specifics of which
are proprietary. The process is very difficult and is
performed by only one company in the world.
Q: How
is moissanite graded on the GIA diamond color grading
scale?
A:
Moissanite is not graded on the GIA color scale. It is
available in a near-colorless form that is brilliant and
highly dispersive - thus, a beautiful jewel. Most people
in the trade grade a 1 carat Moissanite as a I-J color.
Q: How
is moissanite graded for clarity?
A: Each
individual jewel is examined using a 10x loupe for
inclusions or damage that may affect the optical
performance of the jewel.
Q: How
hard is moissanite?
A:
Charles & Colvard created moissanite is measured at
9.25 on the Mohs scale-harder than all other materials
used as gemstones, except diamond.
Q: How
can moissanite be distinguished from other colorless
jewels?
A: Ceated
moissanite can be identified by: moissanite testers; a
specific gravity test with a calibrated medium such as
methylene iodide; doubly-refractive; and needle-like
inclusions.
Q:
Does it fluoresce?
A: Rarely
- This is not an identifiable characteristic.
Q: Is
it irradiated?
A: No.
Q: Why
should I use this instead of other colorless materials?
A:
Moissanite has brilliance, hardness, and dispersion
unlike any jewel on the market. Every store should have
samples and will sell it once they show it. This product
is a unique lab-created jewel with properties people
expect to see in fine jewelry.
Q: Why
is the price so much higher than CZ?
A: There
is no comparison; moissanite is a much higher quality
product.
Q: Why
do you call it a "jewel" rather than a
gemstone/stone?
A: Terms
such as gem/gemstone/stone should be avoided as their
use is subject to Federal Trade Commission and Industry
regulation to prevent consumer confusion.
Q: Do
larger stones tend to show more color than the smaller
stones?
A: Yes,
as with all other materials, larger jewels tend to show
more color. All moissanite will have some color
saturation.
Q:
What materials can scratch moissanite?
A:
Carborundum abrasives and any harder materials can
scratch moissanite.
Q: Why
is moissanite cut to the proportions and dimensions it
is?
A: The
unique cut of Charles & Colvard moissanite is
specifically designed to maximize the performance
derived from the superior optical properties of
moissanite: fire, brilliance, luster.
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