So you’ve stumbled across moissanite: the mysterious gemstone that’s eco-friendly, conflict-free, as dazzling as a diamond, but significantly less expensive. As a more affordable and ethical choice of stone for an engagement ring, moissanite is undoubtedly the best diamond alternative on the market. However, can moissanite actually be passed off as a fake diamond? And could it go so far as to deceive a diamond tester? Read on to find out!
Since first being discovered by scientist Henry Moissan in a meteor crater, experts have been able to replicate this exquisite gemstone in a lab and offer it to the world as a masterfully crafted, socially-responsible, eternally brilliant gemstone. As more and more people discover moissanite, one of the first questions that cross their minds is “So, what’s the catch?”. It feels too good to be true – but it’s certainly not! Moissanite has a hardness rating of 9.25-9.5 and is a close second to diamond which ranks a 10. This means that moissanite is extremely durable and will last just as long as a diamond, maintaining its clarity, fire and brilliance for a lifetime. Because of this, and its incredibly similar appearance to a diamond, moissanite is sometimes used as a ‘fake diamond’ in engagement rings. Unless you know what to look for, it is extremely difficult to tell the difference between moissanite and diamond, even when placed side by side. So whilst your friends and family are unlikely to pick up on it, how can you actually tell the difference?
How to tell Moissanite from Diamond
When placed side-by-side, it is almost impossible to tell the difference between a same-sized Moissanite and Diamond. With the naked eye, a high-quality moissanite and diamond will be almost indistinguishable. Though very subtle, the main visible difference is moissanite’s greater brilliance. Compared to a diamond, moissanite is more sparkly and exhibits more colourful fire. This is due to moissanite’s higher refractive index and double refraction property. We won’t delve too far into the science behind it but, put simply, when a single beam of light enters the crown of a doubly refractive gemstone, two beams of light will exit. A singly refractive gemstone such as a diamond will see one beam of light enter and remain intact as it exits, unbroken. This is neither a good or bad thing, but simply comes down to the inherent crystal structure of the gemstone. Moissanite’s double refraction accounts for the higher dispersion of light – or, in other words, moissanite’s more colourful display of sparkles (fire). This heightened brilliance can create a “disco ball” effect as the light reflects out of the stone in rainbow flashes. Again, it is quite difficult to detect this difference in person but it will become more noticeable in larger stones, as more light is reflected and more colour is displayed. That being said, unless they know what they are looking for, this difference is unlikely to be observed by your friends or family.
Diamond Testing
To a trained professional, moissanite can usually be identified by its distinctive fire. However, this is not an exact science and some professional gemological equipment will be needed to truly tell the difference between a moissanite and diamond. This is where a diamond tester comes in. First introduced into the jewellery industry as a way to distinguish natural diamonds from cubic zirconia (a very common fake diamond), a diamond tester is used to test the heat conductivity of a gemstone. Since diamonds are known for being exceptional conductors of heat, this distinctive feature can be used to distinguish them from other gemstones or faux diamonds. By looking at the way heat moves through the stone, the tester can detect whether the stone is a diamond or not.
Can Moissanite Pass a Tester?
However, this method is not very effective when it is used to differentiate between moissanite and diamond. Unlike faux diamonds and other gemstones, moissanite is also an effective conductor of heat. For this reason, when using a diamond tester that detects thermal conductivity, moissanite will pass as a diamond. Basic diamond testers generally only test thermal conductivity, so though they will be able to tell your diamond or moissanite apart from other stones, they typically won’t be able to pick up the slight difference in conductivity between moissanite and diamonds. Though they are a valuable tool for jewellers and gemologists, basic diamond testers cannot be fully trusted to give an accurate reading. One thing to note is that lab-grown moissanite has only been in production since the 1990s so if your diamond is from an earlier era and it tests positive for diamond, you can be sure it is an authentic diamond.
So, How Can You Test Moissanite?
To find out the truth about your gemstone, you’ll need another kind of tester. Since moissanite is ever so slightly electrically conductive, specialised moissanite testers were developed. Seeing that diamonds are not electrically conductive, this method is able to accurately distinguish between a moissanite and diamond. Many of today’s diamond testers are multi-testers, meaning they will detect both the thermal and electrical conductivity of a gemstone in a single test.
If you are unsure of your diamond’s authenticity or would simply like to have your gemstone tested, unfortunately there aren’t any easy or reliable at-home methods to give you a reliable result. We would suggest taking your stone to a trained jeweller to be examined or having it analysed by a gemological laboratory.
Conclusion
So, can moissanite pass a diamond tester? In short, yes. And could it be passed off as a diamond? To the majority of people in your life, yes. If they don’t know what they’re looking for, moissanite can most certainly pass as a diamond if that is your intention. However, for it’s lasting beauty, extra sparkle and attractive price tag, we would argue that moissanite deserves to be appreciated and valued for its unique qualities. Regardless of whether you’re a moissanite lover or you’d like to use it as a diamond dupe, we’d love to help you learn more about this incredible gem and assist you in your journey to developing your dream ring!
Browse our range of exquisite engagement rings here and if you have any questions please feel free to contact us here.
]]>Moissanite vs. Diamonds: What’s the Difference?
Debating moissanite vs diamond for your engagement ring?
Learn how they compare in beauty, durability, and price and pick the gem that’s best for you.
Diamonds might reign supreme in the world of engagement rings, but they certainly aren’t the only gemstone option out there.
If you want something different, you have plenty of choices, including stones that look remarkably similar to diamonds, such as moissanite.
When it comes to engagement ring stones, there's a lot to consider.
In the moissanite vs diamond debate, we'll look at three main factors: beauty, durability, and price.
Ultimately, the best choice for your engagement ring is the gem that you prefer.
Learn more about moissanite and why so many are opting for a moissanite engagement ring, and why others prefer a more expensive diamond.
Moissanite's close resemblance to diamond makes it a popular choice for engagement rings.
What is Moissanite?
Moissanite deposits are extremely rare on Earth. Technically, it’s a precious gemstone that comes from space. This brilliant stone was initially discovered by Nobel Prize winner Dr. Henri Moissan back in 1893, amongst the remnants of an ancient meteor crater in Arizona.
This remarkable diamond-like stone displayed superior brilliance, fire, luster, and hardness. Due to the rarity of natural moissanite, there’s no way to collect enough to form a single piece of jewelry. Even scouring natural moissanite stone deposits in areas like Wyoming and Russia couldn’t yield enough material to make a set of earrings.
However, while researching to answer questions regarding what moissanite is, science was able to create a moissanite stone using a laboratory and an artisan's touch. Years of research, testing, and errors eventually lead scientists to artificially create a moissanite diamond from silicon carbide formed as a single crystal. This lavish gemstone is now available to those who want to buy a conflict-free and environmentally friendly alternative to a diamond.
History of Moissanite
Dr. Henri Moissan discovered a new crystal at the impact site of a meteor in 1893. However, at the time he mistakenly believed that he had come across diamonds due to their similar visual appearance.
A decade later, in 1904, under the examining eye of a chemist, it was soon proven that Moissan’s find was compositionally different from diamonds, having been formed of silicon carbide. Dr. Moissan would later win the 1906 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work in isolating fluorine from its compounds in 1886, an endeavor that saw him poisoned several times.
After Moissan’s initial discovery, moissanite would make few appearances outside of meteor craters. In fact, it would take half a century for the next natural moissanite deposit to be found.
Due to the lack of naturally occurring moissanite, its use as a decorative gemstone was impractical. However, this wouldn’t stop scientists from developing a method to create this wondrous diamond-like stone in a controlled environment. The 1980s saw the first creation of a lab-grown moissanite jewel. The brilliance and luster would outshine a traditional diamond while providing a conflict-free alternative at a fraction of the price.
This lab-grown jewel is not supposed to be a synthetic diamond, as it is expertly cut and crafted to bring out its own extraordinary properties.
These jewels are created through a safely guarded patented thermal growing process. Moissanite can be cultivated to deliver a near-colorless jewel or a select number of colored shades such as yellow, green, and gray.
As technology has advanced, so has the quality of moissanite. Under extreme monitoring, each stone is completely free from the types of foreign materials that are sometimes found in naturally mined gemstones. This allows the outcome of each moissanite diamond to be predetermined.
General Benefits of Moissanite
When comparing the differences between a diamond vs moissanite, you might be unaware of the many advantages that lend themselves to moissanite:
Conflict-Free
The greatest benefit that moissanite has over any other naturally mined gem is that, since it’s been created in a laboratory, you know that you’re wearing ethical jewelry.
Quality
Thanks to the meticulous environment that lab-grown moissanite jewels are produced in, if a gemstone isn’t the perfect clarity or has any form of obvious inclusions or blemishes, it won’t be available for sale.
High Refractive Index
A clear difference when performing a moissanite vs diamond side by sideis the brilliance of each gem. Due to this jewel’s High Refractive Index, it can create a superior sparkle, unmatched by a standard diamond.
Timeless Appearance
For those looking for alternatives to a diamond, some may turn to cubic zirconia. However, unlike cubic zirconia, moissanite doesn’t develop a cloudy appearance over time. In fact, a moissanite jewel will maintain a cleaner look over a diamond. Dirt and oils will reduce the luster of a diamond faster than moissanite.
Moissanite will Last Through the Generations
With superior hardness ratings, moissanite makes for a stunning yet durable jewel. Proper care will allow a moissanite ring to be passed down through your family for years to come.
From a logical point of view Moissanite and Diamond have nearly identical visual characteristics. Both gemstones are clear and are two of the hardest gemstones known to man. Both exude incredible beauty, will last a lifetime, and are excellent options for everyday wear.
At the end of the day, Moissanites is a viable and equivalently beautiful symbol of love for those not wanting to purchase a Diamond due to ethical, environmental, or price concerns.
Amongst our jewelers and staff, our company features a deep history of collective experience in fine jewelry manufacturing, design, and sales; which will be evident the moment you see and wear our Moissanite jewelry.
All of our Moissanite rings, solitaires, necklaces, stud earrings, bracelets, and other items use only the highest industry standard 14k / 18k yellow, white, and rose gold.
Even better, the rings available can be completely customized with a center stone like an emerald, diamond, sapphire, or ruby.
Of course, you can also design all-new styles custom to your unique preferences.
Our collection of men’s and women’s rings is always available at the best possible price.
As a result, you don’t have to time your engagement or anniversary gift around holiday sales and other special promotions.
At LULU DIAMONDS® we believe anytime is the perfect time for celebrating your love and life!
You can be 100% confident when shopping on our online store that your order will receive the utmost care and attention from start to finish.
Thanks!
♥
𝓛𝓮𝓲𝓵𝓪 𝓛𝓾𝓵𝓾
Design your own custom piece of jewelry and make a personal statement.
Select your fine gems and gold, and from your creativity, comes meaning and ultimately a heirloom.
Jewelry produced in a factory is quite different from a bespoke piece.
Like a bit of decoration that — no matter how lovely — is replaceable.
That’s why I love collaborating on personalized designs with our clients.
It’s incredibly exciting to start with the seed of an idea, then develop it, nurture and adore it.
Only a month later, after dozens of hours of creative work, it is magical to hold the fruit of that idea in your hands. (Or drape it around your neck, dangle it from your ears, or slide it onto your loved one’s finger.)
How personal can a piece of jewelry be if you don’t know who mined the gemstones, or the goldsmith who cast and worked the metals?
Whether you want to design a custom engagement ring, a pendant to mark a milestone, or the earrings you’ve always dreamed of, your sources matter.
Take this into consideration from step one so you can feel confident your investment is supporting environmentally sustainable and socially responsible practices.
You don’t need to know anything about jewelry design or fabrication.
All you need is an idea bring it to life.
Are there existing pieces of jewelry you would like to borrow from?
Snap pictures of pieces you see or gather images online.
Designing for someone with a unique sense of style?
Collect images that capture their taste and fashion.
This goes for yourself as well.
Simply inspired by a particular gemstone?
Start by asking yourself what it is about rubies or opals that fascinates you.
Inspiration can come from many places.
The key is to focus your inspiration and find images and materials that clearly communicate your vision to a design team.
Heirloom jewelry and inherited gemstones are a natural place to start.
This is a common way to approach custom jewelry design because family pieces carry deep personal meaning.
The new custom piece can be a way to preserve older pieces and extend their life.
Honor an inherited gem by repurposing it in a custom ring, pendant, or cuff.
For example, the gold from your grandmother’s wedding band could be recast into a contemporary design.
An antique brooch can be set as a pendant. And a damaged can be repaired and transformed into a ring.
Choose a metal that you love and start sketching possible designs.
You do not need drawing skills or design experience to start doodling what you see in your mind’s eye.
Have fun with it.
These drawings are simply another step in refining your idea and ensuring your design team understands exactly what you want.
Your designers can then generate detailed hand-drawn sketches or 3D renderings of your piece.
This allows you to work closely with LuLu and give specific feedback to perfect every element of your custom jewelry.
Once your design has been perfected and approved, you can remain closely involved in the creation of your piece by getting to know the fabricators.
At LULU DIAMONDS Jewelry, we think witnessing the work of
LuLu's master goldsmiths is one of the most thrilling steps in the process.
The sheer anticipation of waiting to receive your custom jewelry is a true delight. And finally holding your completed design in your hands is an indescribable feeling.
Now that your inspiration has come to life, you want to ensure it lasts for generations.
And if the unthinkable does happen and your treasured jewelry is lost or stolen, you want to be able to recoup your investment.
First, guard your treasure carefully by storing it in a secure place and taking proper care of the metals. At Thesis, our jewelry is guaranteed forever.
If needed, we can repair your custom piece so it doesn’t end up permanently hidden in a drawer or safe.
Then insure your new heirloom through your renters or homeowners policy, or through a reputable jewelry insurance company.
LuLu is ready to work on your idea.
Together we’ll take the first step toward creating an original piece of jewelry you can treasure for years to come.
Get in touch today for a custom design consultation.
LuLu Leila Sheikha
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Don't be discouraged if you cannot find a specific marking or the test you are performing does not work.
You are not a trained professional jewelry - we are! Remember, we will happily do all these tests for you at our secure facility - for free!
All you need to do is complete the form and request an Appraisal Kit today.
If you want to examine your items from home, here are some simple tests you can perform:
In addition to looking for hallmarks, another way you can test your item is with the magnet test. A refrigerator magnet may not be strong enough so we recommend a stronger magnet.
Gold is not magnetic so if the magnet attracts the jewelry, your item does not contain solid gold, silver or platinum. However, if the clasp on a chain is magnetic but the chain is not, it may be real. Regardless, it should still be tested by our GIA graduate expert to be certain since non-magnetic metals are used in counterfeit and costume jewelry as well.
Hallmarks are also called assay or standard marking. Hallmarks are distinguishing characteristics that are stamped on gold, silver and platinum items - typically to identify the items purity. There are also hallmarks that can identify where the item was made (called a makers mark), the office the metal was tested in, the year, and the designer. You can find these hallmarks in a variety of places.
Common locations are in the inside of a ring or a tag by the clasp of a necklace. If you are selling coins, the stamp is usually on the front face. Frequently, you will need a magnifying glass to clearly see the hallmark.
The most common hallmark is meant to tell you an item's precious metal purity. The first thing you want to look for is the shape of the stamp.
A rectangular shape with the corners shaved off will tell you immediately that the item is gold.
An oval stamp would indicate the item is silver. A 'house' shaped mark is used for platinum items.
The number inside the shape is called the millesimal stamp number - this will tell you the actual precious metal content or the purity of the precious metal.
Please note - different countries may have different hallmarking standards so the marking you see on your items may differ. Below are some common purity hallmarks:
These markings correspond to different purities in gold, silver and platinum:
Gold Purity Stamp | Purity | Silver Purity Stamp | Purity | Platinum Purity Stamp | Purity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
375 | 9 karat (37.5%) | 800 | 80% pure silver | 850 | 85% pure platinum |
585 | 14 karat (58.5%) | 925 | 92.5% pure silver | 900 | 90% pure platinum |
750 | 18 karat (75.0%) | 958 | 96.8% pure silver | 950 | 95% pure platinum |
916 | 22 karat (91.6%) | 999 | 99.9% pure silver | 999 | 99.9 pure platinum |
990 | 24 karat (99.0%) | ||||
999 | 24 karat (99.9%) |
A Makers Mark is the designer, manufacturing firm or representative symbol that is stamped into your precious metal - also called trademarks. This mark provides proof that your jewelry item was made by the designer or jewelry maker and is considered "signed".
All marks need to be registered by an Assay Office.
The Assay Office Mark tells you where your item was tested for its purity. Although manufacturing of precious metals has existed for hundreds of years, it only started in the U.S. around 1840. So many older items in the U.S. will be stamped with European marks - so its important to be aware of them.
Even in the U.S., it wasn't until 1906, that the regulations around hallmarking went into effect.
Some common Assay Office Marks are:
This stamp will tell you the year the purity of the item was tested - not the year the item was manufactured.
Be careful - it can be tricky. You will hardly ever find this on a delicate piece of jewelry because there is simply not enough room.
If you do find a date on your piece, it will not look like your typical date. The date will be in the form of a letter. In 1478, London introduced a practice of dating all gold and silver artifacts and had it managed by a governmental controlled body. To prevent fraud every year was assigned a letter in the alphabet. Every 25 years they would then make modifications to the font or design around the letter to prevent confusion.
Aside from gold, silver and platinum there are a lot of other hallmarks you will see stamped in your jewelry that is meant to tell you about the item's contents and purity.
Code | Meaning |
---|---|
GF | Gold Filled |
P | Plumb Gold (this shows the item is at least the amount of karats shown on the stamp) |
KP | Karat Plumb (this means the item is at least the karat listed, but may be more pure) |
Pd | Palladium |
PT | Platinum |
PLAT | Platinum |
Silver | Sterling Silver |
SS | Stainless Steel |
St Steel | Stainless Steel |
cw | Carat Weight (typically will be an indicator the gem or diamond weight) |
CZ | Cubic Zirconia |
SOL | Solitaire Diamond |
4, 5, 6, 7, etc... | If a low number, it is typically an indicator of the ring size. |
Ultimately, rest easy knowing that if you're not sure you can always send/bring your items to us for FREE and we'll test them for you at no cost!
Leila Sheikha
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BLOOMBERG NEWS
72.22 carat pear-shaped D-color diamond held during a media preview at Sotheby's in New York.
Diamond is a solid form of the element carbon with its atoms arranged in a crystal structure called diamond cubic. At room temperature and pressure, another solid form of carbon known as graphite is the chemically stable form of carbon, but diamond almost never converts to it. Diamond has the highest hardness and thermal conductivity of any natural material, properties that are utilized in major industrial applications such as cutting and polishing tools. They are also the reason that diamond anvil cells can subject materials to pressures found deep in the Earth.
Because the arrangement of atoms in diamond is extremely rigid, few types of impurity can contaminate it (two exceptions being boron and nitrogen). Small numbers of defects or impurities (about one per million of lattice atoms) color diamond blue (boron), yellow (nitrogen), brown (defects), green (radiation exposure), purple, pink, orange or red. Diamond also has relatively high optical dispersion (ability to disperse light of different colors).
Most natural diamonds have ages between 1 billion and 3.5 billion years. Most were formed at depths between 150 and 250 kilometres (93 and 155 mi) in the Earth's mantle, although a few have come from as deep as 800 kilometres (500 mi). Under high pressure and temperature, carbon-containing fluids dissolved various minerals and replaced them with diamonds. Much more recently (tens to hundreds of million years ago), they were carried to the surface in volcanic eruptions and deposited in igneous rocks known as kimberlites and lamproites.
The slightly misshapen octahedral shape of this rough diamond crystal in matrix is typical of the mineral. Its lustrous faces also indicate that this crystal is from a primary deposit.
HARDNESS
Diamond is the hardest known natural material on both the Vickers scale and the Mohs scale. Diamond's great hardness relative to other materials has been known since antiquity, and is the source of its name. This does not mean that it is infinitely hard, indestructible, or unscratchable.
Indeed, diamonds can be scratched by other diamonds and worn down over time even by softer materials, such as vinyl records.
Diamond hardness depends on its purity, crystalline perfection and orientation: hardness is higher for flawless, pure crystals oriented to the direction (along the longest diagonal of the cubic diamond lattice).
Therefore, whereas it might be possible to scratch some diamonds with other materials, such as boron nitride, the hardest diamonds can only be scratched by other diamonds and nanocrystalline diamond aggregates.
The hardness of diamond contributes to its suitability as a gemstone. Because it can only be scratched by other diamonds, it maintains its polish extremely well. Unlike many other gems, it is well-suited to daily wear because of its resistance to scratching—perhaps contributing to its popularity as the preferred gem in engagement or wedding rings, which are often worn every day.
The hardest natural diamonds mostly originate from the Copeton and Bingara fields located in the New England area in New South Wales, Australia. These diamonds are generally small, perfect to semiperfect octahedra, and are used to polish other diamonds. Their hardness is associated with the crystal growth form, which is single-stage crystal growth. Most other diamonds show more evidence of multiple growth stages, which produce inclusions, flaws, and defect planes in the crystal lattice, all of which affect their hardness. It is possible to treat regular diamonds under a combination of high pressure and high temperature to produce diamonds that are harder than the diamonds used in hardness gauges
The extreme hardness of diamond in certain orientations makes it useful in materials science, as in this pyramidal diamond embedded in the working surface of a Vickers hardness tester.
GIA Certified Natural Diamond
GIA stands for the Gemological Institute of America
A GIA Diamond Report is a guarantee of quality. It gives you peace of mind that an unbiased third party has looked at and evaluated the gemstone for quality and authenticity. As jewelry is an investment as much as an accessory, you want to make sure that you’re getting your money’s worth. When you visit Paul Medawar Fine Jewelry in Grand Rapids, MI, you can rest assured that you have come to the right place.
Leila Sheikha
Silver is a chemical element with the symbol Ag (from the Latin argentum). It is a soft, white, lustrous transition metal found in the Earth's crust in the pure, free elemental form ("native silver"), as an alloy with gold and other metals, and in minerals such as argentite and chlorargyrite. Silver has long been valued as a precious metal. Silver items have long been known as symbols of wealth and prosperity. This is true whether you own sterling silver or pure silver, since most times you can't tell the status of the silver at a quick glance.
Sterling silver is much more durable compared to fine silver because of the added metal alloys. This can help your piece last and stay looking the best it possibly can for longer. Sterling silver is easier to shape than the soft and malleable fine silver, so you'll be able to find more options made of sterling silver vs silver.
Cut
Carat
Engagement rings have been a tradition ever since Ancient Egypt. Egyptians believed circles were symbols of eternity. Wedded couples exchanged rings made out of braided reeds. These were worn on the left hand ring finger, which apparently had a vein that ran directly to the heart, later named Vena amoris. In 2nd century B.C. the ancient Romans are believed to have started the tradition of betrothal rings instead of giving the bride money or a valuable object. But its symbolism wasn’t so much about love as it was ownership. According to Pliny the Elder, the groom first gave the bride a gold ring to wear during the betrothal ceremony and at special events, then an iron ring to wear at home, signifying her binding legal agreement to his ownership of her. Diamonds didn’t appear on engagement rings until centuries later. One of the first recorded uses of a diamond engagement ring was in 1477. Archduke Maximilian of Austria proposed to Mary of Burgundy with a ring set with thin, flat pieces of diamonds in the shape of an “M.” This set a glamorous precedent for European nobility, who added more precious gems to their jewelry.
When did diamonds become so popular and appreciated for engagement rings?
Everything changed when diamonds were discovered in South Africa. In 1880, Cecil Rhodes founded the DeBeers Mining Company with other investors. Within the decade, they controlled 90 percent of the world’s diamond production—and turned diamond engagement rings into nothing more than an ad campaign. In 1947 Frances Gerety wrote the slogan “A Diamond is Forever”. It instantly became the lasting symbol of eternal love. The line was so elegant and efficient that De Beers is still using it. In the following years brides started wearing beautiful diamond engagement rings on their finger.
Leila Sheikha