What Is Moissanite?

Moissanite is a lab-grown stone that is developed from silicon carbide. It is created naturally using a thermal growing process. Moissanite is also available in nature but it is rare to find. It was first discovered by Dr. Henri Moissan who was a famous chemist that. He found it in Arizona at a site where a massive meteorite hit the ground. Since there have been a lot of meteor strikes in history, it's difficult to find moissanite in the earth.

What Makes Moissanite so Special?

Moissanite has something called fire, which is a type of rainbow effect of different colours that emanates from the stone. The fire of the gemstone is determined by its dispersion level, which is also known as a prism effect. When a pure, white light shines into an object that is not opaque, it breaks down into rainbow colours and these colours then reflect back to the person viewing the stone. The dispersion level of moissanite is 0.104, which is higher than any other gemstone including emeralds, diamonds, sapphires and rubies.

How Brilliant Is a Moissanite Engagement Ring?

The brilliance found in a moissanite stone refers to the amount of sparkle that you'll see. This is measured with a brilliance refractive index, also known as a BRI. Moissanite has a BRI level that can range from 2.65 all the way up to 2.69. When you compare this to a diamond that has a 2.42 BRI, you can see that moissanite engagement rings are much more brilliant and provide more sparkle. Anyone that wants to have a sparkling ring with a lot of fire should consider moissanite as the stone of choice for an engagement ring.

How Hard Is Moissanite?

Moissanite is a tough, durable stone that resists abrasions and scratches. On a hardness level, it measures 9.25 up to 9.50 and is the strongest gemstone in the world besides a diamond. You can expect moissanite engagement rings Toronto to last for years with normal wear and tear.

How Can You Tell If It's a Moissanite Ring?

It is hard to distinguish between an engagement ring with a moissanite stone set in it versus a ring that contains a diamond. In fact, you would need to use a specialized tool that jewelers have called a loupe. There will be an identifying mark on the girdle indicating that it is a moissanite stone.

Moissanite rings look like diamonds, and the similarity is more than just superficial. On the Mohs Scale of Hardness, diamonds are a ten out of ten. This top-notch level of durability is one of many traits that makes them a popular engagement ring gemstone.  

When it comes to moissanite, most stones are between 9.25 and 9.5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. This ranks them amongst the most durable gemstones in the world.

It’s a common misconception that cubic zirconia (CZ) is similar to moissanite. While they look alike, cubic zirconia doesn’t hold a candle to moissanite in terms of quality. 

Cubic zirconia exploded in popularity in the mid-1970s. While the production quality got better over time, those early generation rings are notorious for their fragility. If you have a vintage CZ, it’s probably looking more than a little cloudy. 

Another issue with CZ is that everyone and their mother wanted to get in on the game, and started producing terrible quality stones. There are a few “diamonds” in the rough, but much of what we saw for decades was poor quality.

Nope. Moissanite does not get cloudy. The stone might get murky from daily wear but it’s nothing that won’t wash away with a good cleaning. 

I’ve got a dirty little confession: one of the reasons I love moissanite is because it stands up to grim better than real diamonds. Since moissanite is naturally sparklier than a diamond, you go longer between cleanings and it will still shine. 

Got a cloudy moissanite? No worries! For a quick and easy fix, fill a bowl with warm water and washing up liquid. Any decent soap for handwashing dishes is fine. Let it soak for a minute then use a soft brush to gently scrub it. I keep a spare kid’s toothbrush just for rings and it does the job like a dream. 

For a deep cleaning, nothing beats an ultrasonic cleaner. Any jeweller can do this for you but I’d recommend getting an ultrasonic cleaner at home if you can swing it. For the cost of a few professional washings, you’ve got a permanent option at home.

Want your moissanite ring to pass for a diamond? We won’t tell! But you’ll have to be careful not to give away your secret either.

While the difference between moissanite and diamonds isn’t clear to the naked eyes, there are a few giveaways. 

As much as I love a gleaming rock so big that you can’t get it into your pocket, keep it real with your engagement ring. Most people who know you aren’t going to believe you spent as much as Beyoncé on your ring. Anything over two carats might leave people questioning the realness of your rock. 

I adore the 3 Claw Pear Cut Solitaire 0.80ct Moissanite Ring for its minimalist, everyday style. If you are looking to go big, the Cat-Claw Solitaire Emerald Cut Moissanite Ring with a Moissanite Band is a timeless pick.

There’s more than just classic white Moissanite out there! For a chic high fashion style, the 4 Claw Cushion Cut Solitaire 1ct Black Moissanite Ring is a serious contender. I’m especially loving the contrast of the rose gold with a black gemstone. 

Most people that are looking at moissanite engagement rings won't be able to tell what type of stone it is. This is one of the reasons why moissanites have become increasingly popular lately. These stones for engagement rings are a more cost-effective option and yet they are stunningly beautiful and durable.

How Do You Clean Moissanite Rings?

There are different ways to clean moissanite engagement rings including washing them with soapy water, using a home commercial jewelry cleaner, washing them with a household cleaning product mixed with water such as ammonia or using an ultrasonic cleaner. Commercial jewelry cleaners can be purchased online and they are non-toxic, effective cleaners for all types of jewelry. They are great for removing the film layer that often accumulates on the surface of gemstones.

Ultrasonic cleaners are used by jewelers and they can be purchased online as well. If you have a lot of jewelry besides your moissanite engagement ring you can clean most of them in the unit. A turbulence of high-frequency is created with these machines and will not only bring back the brilliance of moissanite engagement rings Toronto but will also help maintain their sparkle.

If you don't have access to an ultrasonic cleaner or a commercial jewelry cleaner you can always use a solution of water mixed with ammonia or another type of household cleaner to clean your ring. Soak the moissanite jewelry for approximately 10 minutes and brush the ring gently with a toothbrush. Rinse the ring well using warm water and then use a blow dryer to dry it off. The same process can be used to clean moissanite engagement rings Toronto with soapy, warm water using a mild type of liquid detergent.

Do Moissanite Engagement Rings and Wedding Bands Fade over Time?

No, moissanite stones do not change colour or fade over time. You can expect your moissanite ring to keep its brilliance, sparkle and fire for as long as you have it on your finger. The only maintenance you'll need to do is clean it periodically as mentioned above.

Moissanite is resistant to heat and while it may discolour if your ring needs to be exposed to a jeweler’s torch for any type of repair, this is only temporary. Once the ring cools down it will return back to its normal colour without any permanent, lasting damage.

When you're looking for a unique, one-of-a-kind moissanite engagement ring Canada please browse through our Moissanites by Livia website. We create amazing moissanite engagement rings that you're sure to love.

When you want something special that shows your future spouse just how much you really care, moissanite stones provide the fire and brilliance that you just can’t find with any other types of gemstones.