Answer: Moissanite has very close characteristics to diamond. The refractive index or brilliance of Moissanite is 2.65 as compared to 2.42 for diamond. The dispersion or fire of Moissanite is 0.104 as compared to 0.044 for diamond. Moissanite is the second hardest jewel after diamond with a hardness rating of 9.25 as compared to 10 for diamond.

Answer: Yes. It is quite difficult to tell the two apart especially when both have very similar properties. Even many professional jewelers find it hard to distinguish the two. Answer: Yes, most definitely. As seen on 20/20, Moissanite is the only other jewel that will test “positive” as a diamond when tested using a standard diamond tester.

Answer: Moissanite jewels are lab created Silicon Carbide material and has very close physical properties to diamond.

Wow! Am I ever asked this question a lot. Not a day goes by that someone doesn’t ask me if they got the real thing. This question has been so popular I’ve devoted a whole article to all the tests and tricks you can perform on your stone to know if you got the “Real McCoy.” to be magically transported to the article. Hands down cubic zirconia (c.z.)is the most popular simulant on the market. There are two types: machine-manufactured and hand-cut.

The answer is a resounding NO – Moissanite is not a substitute for diamond scientifically or emotionally. Charles & Colvard created Moissanite is a unique near-colorless jewel (SiC) that stands on its own when it comes to superb fire and brilliance. From a scientific standpoint, the Moissanite used in jewelry today is a created jewel that was originally discovered in its natural state in the Canyon Diablo meteor crater located in Arizona.

Answer: Moissanite will require only simple care just like any other jewels. You would care for Moissanite just the way you would care for diamond.

Answer: Moissanite is sold by stone millimeters (mm) and/or diamond equivalent weight and not by its weight. The same size of Moissanite stones as compared to diamond by weight, weighs approximately 13% less than diamond.

Answer: Under extreme temperature, Moissanite has more heat resistance than diamond. Just like diamond jewellery, Moissanite jewellery can be cast in place and will not be prone to any heat damage when the jewellery is being repaired or re-sized.

Answer: Particles of the material were originally discovered by Dr. Henri Moissan during his work at an ancient meteorite crash in the Diablo Canyon in Arizona in 1893. This meteorite crash happened approximately 50,000 thousand years ago. This amazing brilliant and diamond-like material discovered by Dr. Moissan was from the fragments of the meteorite. It was named “Moissanite” in honour of Dr. Moissan in 1905.

Answer: Moissanites are “H to J” in colour which is similar to many diamonds which also fall into this range of colour. It is still considered as a white colour, however not as white-white like other synthetic diamond such as Cubic Zirconia which is less believable since white-white colour diamonds are extremely rare.

Answer: Moissanites are typically VS1 in clarity when using the diamond grading system as a benchmark.

No. The standard GIA diamond color grading scale is not designed to rate Moissanite. Unlike diamonds, which range from colorless to brownish to fancy yellow, Charles & Colvard created Moissanite can have slight undertones from green to yellow to gray. It is a beautifully brilliant, highly dispersive jewel that stands on its own, creating a unique jewelry category.

Since moissanite is slightly less dense than diamonds, it is better to refer to moissanite stones in terms of size. However, we understand that most people understand gemstones by carat rather than mm. Here is a chart: Note: For the list of corresponding carat weights to mm sizes for other moissanite stone shapes, please visit our loose moissanite stones page.

A diamond is made entirely of carbon (just like the graphite in a pencil). But, while graphite is very soft, the carbon atoms in diamond form in such a way as to create the hardest known substance. This special structure allows diamonds to take a superior polish and project more brilliance than any other natural colorless gemstone.

Larger diamonds are not necessarily more valuable just because of their weight. The value of a diamond depends on its color, cut and clarity. Generally: Standard sizes - like 3, 2, and 1 ct. usually command premium prices. The word "Carat" is said to come from the carob seed - uniform seeds that were used to balance the earliest gem scales.

Moissanite pronounced as (MOY- San- ite)) is a relatively new jewel in the market. Moissanite has achieved outstanding Popularity since its inception commercially in the Year 1998.Moissanite, also known as silicon carbide, is a naturally occurring mineral found in limited quantities or as small particles in the earth. The rarity of large natural Moissanite crystals prohibits their use in jewelry making. For years, scientists tried in vain to re-create this extraordinarily brilliant material.

Grancrete™ is a blend of in-organic compounds that are non-toxic, non-hazardous, and environmentally friendly.

Perlite is a natural combination of mixed glassy silicates making it inert and resistant to chemical attack, except for hot concentrated alkali and hydrofluoric acid. It slows thermal conductance, is incombustible (melts above 2000?F) and has no buffering capability. Each Perlite particle resembles a glassy froth of bubbles. The internal structure consists of numerous tiny closed air-filled cells. This structure imparts lightness, natural insulating properties and limited compressive strength.

Here are the glass blocks physical properties (thermal transmission, light transmission and sound insulation) of our standard 190x190x80 blocks.