What Is Moissanite And Should I Buy It?

Choosing Moissanite Color

When purchasing moissanite, you’ll have three color categories to choose from: Colorless (D-E-F), near colorless (G-H-I) and slightly tinted (J-K range). The colorless gemstones come with a premium and are more desirable.

Moissanite tends to have green, yellow or brown tints so it’s important to see the stone carefully prior to purchase to ensure that it does not contain any undesirable colors.

If you’re looking for colored moissanite, it can be difficult to find. At present, Charles and Colvard (the original makers of moissanite jewelry) only offer green moissanite but at the time of this writing, they did not have any listed on their site.

Sites such as Brilliant Earth sometimes stock blue moissanite but these are rare to find.

Moissanite Carat Size

Although it looks similar, moissanite is denser than diamonds, meaning that it is heavier. If you compare a diamond and a moissanite of the same carat weight, the moissanite will be slightly smaller in appearance. When shopping for moissanite, you’ll notice that some vendors choose carat weight while others prefer to measure moissanite by millimeters.

Moissanite Sparkle

Moissanite has exceptional sparkle and is one of the most brilliant gemstones. Moissanites have what is known as the ‘rainbow effect’ which is a fiery and colorful flash of color when the stone is viewed under light, especially natural light. This is due to moissanites very high Refractive Index (2.65).

While this is often not very visible in smaller stones, large moissanites can exhibit a strong rainbow effect. If this is something you prefer to avoid, a smaller stone may be more suitable for you.

Moissanite Clarity

Because moissanites are lab-created, there is a lot of control over the final product. Even so, most moissanite tend to have some faint inclusions. These are often in the shape of small, threadlike inclusions that form during the stone’s creation process. In general though, these flaws are only visible under magnification and the stone may appear eye-clean.

Moissanite Price and Resale Value

While moissanite is often chosen as an alternative to diamonds, don’t expect it to be cubic zirconia cheap. While moissanite is a comparatively affordable gemstone, high quality moissanite can still command hefty prices. It takes a laborious, resource-consuming process to create moissanite and this is not cheap.

The prices for moissanite can vary depending on the brand and quality, but in general, a 1 carat colorless stone costs on average about $600.

Moissanite’s resale value is not known for sure at this stage and as it is still a relatively new gemstone for jewelry, with the technology to create it always advancing and expanding, it is difficult to estimate the resale value. Having said that, reselling moissanite will generally get you back about 50% of what you paid for it, which is similar for diamonds.

How to Clean Moissanite Jewelry

Due to its durability, moissanite is an easy to maintain stone. Over time, dirt and grime build up can result in a cloudy or dull looking gemstone. However, washing the moissanite with a soft cloth, mild soap and water is the best way to restore its shine.

When storing moissanite jewelry, ensure that it is placed in a separate pouch or box. This is to make sure that the moissanite does not scratch softer gemstones and cause damage to other jewelry items. Likewise, keep moissanite away from diamonds as diamonds, being harder, can scratch them.

When cleaning, take care with the settings of your moissanite jewelry. 

In general, avoid harsh chemicals coming into contact with your moissanite gemstone. You can use an ultrasonic cleaner for your moissanite jewelry but ensure that the settings are tough enough to withstand the intense vibrations of the cleaner. For example, it’s not advisable to put a pave setting into an ultrasonic cleaner as the little stones can be forced out due to the pressure.

Moissanite Problems

This gemstone has many benefits going for it, making it a near perfect choice for your jewelry. Possibly the main problem with this gemstone is society’s perceptions of it.

To some, a moissanite will always be a ‘fake’ diamond, and will never have the class and prestige that precious gemstones have. While you may love the science of the stone, there may be people who will snub your moissanite jewelry. Others may fret that a moissanite will never be an heirloom like a sapphire or diamond.

Is this a real issue?

We’ll leave that for you to decide.

Another problem is that there is a general contention that diamonds make a good investment while moissanites do not, meaning that the money you spend on a moissanite is essentially wasted.

But is this true?

Diamonds, as is generally agreed, is overpriced and loses more than half its value as soon as you purchase it. In fact, a diamond ring is listed as a purchase that drops the most in value, as this article outlines.

As a moissanite often costs only about 10% of a diamond’s price, this means that you save 90% of what you would have spent on a diamond. Right there, you’ve saved a huge sum. And don’t forget that you can resell your moissanite for about half of what you spent for it.

Where to Buy Moissanite?

Moissanite can be hard to find in physical stores so taking your search online will open up more options to you.

Charles and Colvard are the original makers of moissanite and although their patent has run out resulting in an abundance of new moissanite creators on the market, they still are among the most well-established and well-known name in moissanite. They offer competitive prices and high quality stones. As their technology is always advancing, you’ll find that the stones continue to improve in different ways.

Amazon also has a range of moissanite jewelry at various price points. Do your due diligence to avoid getting ripped off when purchasing for moissanite jewelry on Amazon. You’re bound to find some wonderful pieces here.